Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Titus Volume 13

Paul Gives Titus the Qualities of a Sound Church Part 3

Titus 2:5-6 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. KJV

Paul continues on with what the older women should be teaching the younger women in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ with these next words written to Brother Titus, "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2:5) (KJV). The little English phrase that begins this verse 'to be discreet' is the exact same Greek word sōphrōn translated in verse 2 as temperate and it means again safe (sound) in mind, that is, self controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion): - discreet, sober, temperate. In other words, having a sound mind or thinking logically and clearly is not something that is only reserved for the aged women, but with guidance and helpful direction from the aged women in the Church of Jesus Christ, the young women can exercise discretion in their life decisions that will affect them not only at the moment of the choice, but for years to come in the future. To be wise and discerning in all of their conduct both in the Church and in the world. The English word 'chaste' is translated by the Greek word hagnos meaning (as used here) (figuratively) innocent, modest. In other words, they should be women/wives that can be trusted by their husbands to always have their love for them pure and not mixed with hypocrisy, that is, not insincerity or lip service. With her husband, she should be a 'tigress' in the bedroom keeping the marriage bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4) and her body for him alone.

The little English phrase 'keepers at home' is translated by the Greek word oikouros meaning (a guard; be 'ware'); a stayer at home, that is, domestically inclined (a 'good housekeeper'). In other words, as the Scripture teaches, the husband is the head of the household, but the wife is the first line of defence spiritually for the household and especially the children, for first of all each child has already formed a bond with her for 9 months or so inside her womb. A bond that no father can duplicate. Secondly in many cases it is the mother who spends most of the time with the children as they grow and mature, so she is the one who must teach them the truth of God and present to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ as early on as possible laying down a path for their future salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), therefore, older women are to teach this to the younger women even before they have become wives and mothers. They also are to be good housekeepers maintaining the daily functions of the house, that is, running the household and keeping it clean and functional for the entire family.

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about the young women learning to be keepers at home, "This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties and become 'busy-bodies' in the concerns of others. Religion is the patron of the domestic virtues, and regards the appropriate duties in a family as those most intimately connected with its own progress in the world. It looks benignly on all which makes home a place of contentment, intelligence, and peace. It does not flourish when domestic duties are neglected; - and whatever may be done abroad, or whatever self-denial and zeal in the cause of religion may be evinced there, or whatever call there may be for the labors of Christians there, or however much good may be actually done abroad, religion has gained nothing, on the whole, if, in order to secure these things, the duties of a wife and mother at home have been disregarded. Our first duty is at home, and all other duties will be well performed just in proportion as that is."

The English word 'good' is translated by the Greek word agathos meaning good (in any sense, often as noun): - beneficial, well, also kind, considerate and compassionate. In other words, the young woman thinking herself to be good verses actually being good are two different things, yet there are none that are good no not one writes the Apostle Paul to the Roman Church (Romans 3:12), but here he refers to the young women learning to yeild themselves to God the Holy Spirit to control there actions within the Church, their homes, and in the world day to day. When Paul writes, 'obedient to their own husbands', he means that they are to respond to the loving and caring lead of their husbands with them day to day by putting themselves in subjection to his headship of the home, just as our Lord Jesus Christ subjected Himself to God the Father though He was and is equal to God the Father, as it is written, "But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) (MKJV).

Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about wives being obedient to their own husbands, "God would have a resemblance of Christ's authority over the Church held forth in the husband's over the wife. Christ is the Head of the Church, to protect and save it, to supply it with all good, and secure or deliver it from evil; and so the husband over the wife, to keep her from injuries, and to provide comfortably for her, according to his ability. Therefore, as the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be unto their own husbands, as is fit in the Lord (Colossians 3:18), as comports with the law of Christ, and is for His and the Father's glory. It is not then an absolute, or unlimited, nor a slavish subjection that is required; but a loving subordination, to prevent disorder or confusion, and to further all the ends of the relation. Thus, in reference to the husbands, wives must be instructed in their duties of love and subjection to them."

When Paul writes, 'that the word of God be not blasphemed', he means that the enemies of God will not have occassion to speak evil of the Word of God because of the very bad behavior of the children of God, in this case the young women of the Church of Christ being abusers of their children or unfaithful to their husbands. By the way the English word 'blasphemed' is translated by the Greek word blasphēmeō meaning to vilify; specifically to speak impiously: - to speak blasphemously, defame, rail on, revile, speak evil of. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about that the Word of God being not blasphemed, "The enemies of the Gospel are quick-eyed to spy out imperfections in its professors; and, if they find women professing Christianity living an irregular life, they will not fail to decry the Christian doctrine on this account: 'Behold your boasted religion! it professes to reform all things, and its very professors are no better than others! Our heathenism is as good as your Christianity.' These are cutting reproaches; and much they will have to answer for who give cause for these blasphemies." Paul then adds on to the end of this that these same directions or instructions should also be applied to every young man in the Church of Jesus Christ with these words, "Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded." (Titus 2:6) (KJV). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about the young men being sober minded, "Reformation should begin with the old; they have the authority, and they should give the example. The young of both sexes must also give an account of themselves to God; sober-mindedness in young men is a rare qualification, and they who have it not plunge into excesses and irregularities which in general sap the foundation of their constitution, bring on premature old age, and not seldom lead to a fatal end."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…