Mission of Motherhood, Chapter One - Jul. 6, 2005
Question 4.
Tit 2:4
so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,Tit 2:5
to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.What are the elements of responsibility that the older women are required to teach to the younger women?
love their husbands, love their children, to be sensible, to be pure, to be workers at home, to be kind, to be subject to their own husbands.
Now, interestingly, I have quoted here from the New American Standard ... and it doesn't use the word teach as the KJV does or train as the Amplified does ... It uses encourage. I am not sure why it uses encourage because from what I can tell the word means ... to discipline, to correct, to teach to be sober. The Message Bible says "By looking at them, the younger women will know . . ."
From Vincent's Word Studies
-Tit 2:4
They may teach (σωφρονίζωσι)
Better, school or train. N.T.o. olxx. The verb means to make sane or sober-minded; to recall a person to his senses; hence, to moderate, chasten, discipline.
Ok, now that's a good picture .. to recall a person to his senses.
Why would this need to be taught?
My first thought is to say that obviously these are things that do not come naturally and thus must be learned. However, I think for some, these things do come naturally. However, I think the key here is to see it is the older women, with the maturity and the experience, that are teaching the younger women. Younger women may still be caught up in their immaturity, their self centeredness, their flightiness. They need to be "brought to their senses" and given an example of what lies ahead and how to live through it in a Godly manner.
What does it mean to be a worker at home?
Some versions say keeper at home, others say worker at home. The word means a guardian aware. I am not sure why Strongs then makes the leap to domestically inclined, a good housekeeper.
The picture of being a guardian of my home is more encompassing to me. I cannot be a guardian if I am not at home, if I am not centrally based at home. I cannot be a guardian without providing for and nourishing those in my charge. This is not just physical provision but emotional, mental and spiritual as well. This is an important responsibility. Not to be taken lightly.
In what ways do women who obey these standards keep from dishonoring the Word of God?
Our lives are a living testimony to the power of God, the truth of God. If we are not obedient to his Word, we are not showing the power and glory of His truth. When we live out this character of God ... for it is His character ... we are giving others a picture of who He is that brings Him honor.
-- Cynthia
