How To Be a Titus 2 Woman

May you pray and work hard to be a Titus 2 woman, so that through you and your work, the word of God may not be discredited. “…encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.”

Before we begin, let’s take a look at what Titus 2 says as a whole. We must not begin to “dissect” the meaning of verses, until we first read the passage as a whole.

Titus 2

Teach What Is Consistent with Sound Doctrine

¹ As for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. ² Exhort the older men to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance.

³ Similarly, exhort the older women to be reverent in their behavior, not to be slanderous or slaves of drink, and eager to teach what is good. ⁴ They can then instruct the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to be self-controlled and chaste, to be diligent homemakers, to be agreeable, and to respect the authority of their husbands so that the word of God may not be derided.

⁶ Likewise, exhort the younger men to exercise self-control. ⁷ Show yourself to them in all respects as a model of good works, while in your teaching exhibit integrity and dignity ⁸ and a soundness of speech that cannot be criticized. Then any opponent will be put to shame when he can find nothing evil to say about us.

⁹ Exhort slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give them satisfaction in every respect. They are not to talk back to them, ¹⁰ nor are they to steal from them. Rather, they should show themselves to be completely trustworthy so that in every way they may add luster to the doctrine of God our Savior.

The Grace of God Has Appeared

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to the entire human race. ¹² It teaches us to reject godless ways and worldly desires, and in the present age to lead lives that are temperate, just, and godly, ¹³ while we await our blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave himself for us in order to deliver us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people as his own who are eager to do good.

The Goodness of God Our Savior

¹⁵ These are the things you should expound. Exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Titus 2 Woman – Verse Breakdown

Verse 3

“Similarly, exhort the older women to be reverent in their behavior, not to be slanderous or slaves of drink, and eager to teach what is good.”

Something really important to note when reading Titus 2, is Paul is talking to the older women. This is key for any older women (even young women older than others) reading. Paul is entrusting the older women to SET AN EXAMPLE and to TEACH. Older women, you are called to be a teacher!

We notice that Paul is not leaving the teaching up to the husbands, but to other women, specially those who are older. Paul knows that the experience and wisdom is a key component to helping the younger women thrive. Think of the powerful impact our society would have, if older women took time to teacher younger women how to be homemakers, and love their family. This also means that younger women needs to be receptive, and take initiative to seek out an older women to train them if one hasn’t reached out.

Verse 4

“They can then instruct the younger women to love their husbands and their children…”

Our society today is very focused on self-servitude, and doing whatever it takes to make yourself happy. How beautiful would it be, if younger women were taught from a young age how to love their husband and children in a Biblical way.

As homemakers, this entails cooking, cleaning, and caring for their family. These tasks are often seen now as burdens, and “shouldn’t” be the women’s responsibility anymore. We need older women to help the younger generations to prioritize their family, and renew their mindset that degrees, careers, and money do NOT determine a women’s success, and are NOT part of the Biblical role explained in Titus 2.

Verse 5

“…to be self-controlled and chaste, to be diligent homemakers, to be agreeable, and to respect the authority of their husbands so that the word of God may not be derided.“

Verse 5 describes exactly what women are called to do and be in order to be a Titus 2 woman. We must not forget, however, that OLDER WOMEN are being called to teach HOW to be each of these things. Unless these are taught, it is very easy for women to fall into the norms of how other women in our society (worldly women) dress, act, think, work, and live out their life.

1. Love their Husband and Children

To put the wants and needs of their family BEFORE their own. Before their dreams, career, schooling, status, and desires. To not be focused on herself, but focused on doing what is best for her husband first, then children.

2. Self-Controlled

Be self-controlled in all areas: tongue (speech, gossip, cursing others, jealousy, hatred, etc.), body (sexual immortality, clothing, etc.), judgement, worship, thoughts, anger, etc.

• Titus 2:12 says, “…training us to renounce irreligion and worldy passions, and to live sober, upright, and godly lives in this world…”
• Titus 3:1-2 says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for honest work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all men.”
• 1 Corinthians 14:34 says, “…women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.”
• 1 Timothy 2:11-12 says, “A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet.”
• 1 Peter 3:1-5 says, “Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior. Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands…”

3. Chaste

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-4 says, “Yes, it is a good thing for a man to refrain from touching a woman. However, to avoid the temptation to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. A husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise a wife should fulfill her conjugal obligations to her husband. For a wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, a husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
• 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, “I also ask that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing. They should be adorned not with braided hair or with gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is fitting for women who profess their reverence for God.”
• 1 Peter 3:3-6 says, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
• Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, brethren, I implore you by the mercies of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God—a spiritual act of worship.”

4. Diligent Homemakers

Let us look at the Greek word, “οἰκουργούς”. Oikourgous translates to “keepers at home”. If we look at the Latin words, “domus curam habentes”. It translates to “workers at home”. Paul is emphasizing that women should be AT home. Although I mentioned it above, I will mention it again. Due to the nature of our sin, and the sin of others, being at home is not always an option.

This doesn’t mean it isn’t how God intends for it to be. Paul also shares in 1 Timothy what young widows should do. Notice, it is the same as those who are young and married. The role of the woman is to care for her husband, children, and home. After-all, we have been created to bare children, feed children, and have been giving the natural instincts to care for others. God gifts us with a husband and children for the sole purpose of helping care and tend to them. Serving our family is our role. Physically, mentally, and emotional created for this job specifically.

• 1 Timothy 5:14 says, “So I want the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their homes. Then no enemy will have any reason to criticize them.”
• Proverbs 31:27 says, “She keeps close watch on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.”
• Proverbs 14:1 says, “Wisdom builds herself a house, but Folly tears down hers with her own hands.”

5. Agreeable

Other translations may say, “to be kind” or “to do good” instead. This is Pauls reminder for us to get along. To be kind and loving towards one another. When we build each another mother or wife up, we are helping her marriage and her family to thrive. Let us all be supportive of one another, building each other up in a way that is glorifying to the Lord.

6. Respect the Authority of Their Husband

Although this is the last quality mentioned, it should not come last on the list. We see many times in the Bible (1 Corinthians 11:3, 14:34, Ephesians 5:22-24, Colossians 3:18, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Peter 3:1-6) that women are “to be subject” or “submissive” to their husband.

This is one area in our society where there is a growing rebellion for wives to be equal to their husbands, if not the leader of the household. Although it can be very tempting, and very difficult to fall under the authority of our husbands, we must. WE MUST! The Bible makes it very clear, that our job was created to be the man’s helper.

Let’s look closer at 1 Timothy 2:13-15, “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.“

We will be saved through motherhood (this does not exclude those who couldn’t / can’t conceive children). Take note on HOW WE ARE SAVED: Motherhood, Faith, Love, Holiness, and Self-Control.

Do I Have to Stay Home? (Biblical Viewpoint)

In my opinion, there can’t be an official teaching stating the woman must stay at home. This is due to the nature of our sin (ex: sex outside of marriage), the sin of others (ex: husband or father leaving), and other lively circumstances, which can prevent this from being possible.

This would also take away the free will which God has given us. The question does remain though, if one has the ability to stay at home, even if it means making sacrifices (sacrificing to live on one income – giving up pleasures or opportunities one could have), does it go against Biblical teaching?

Do I Have to Stay Home? (Catholic Viewpoint)

In our society, there is much controversy on whether a mother or wife should stay at home. Accepting and living out the Catholic faith, I submit my authority to any and all Biblical manners to the teachings of the Catholic Church. There is no specifically teaching that says a woman has to be at home with her children, or at home as a wife. HOWEVER, the Church and the Bible teach that a woman has a specific duty as a wife and as a mother that CANNOT be neglected. Therefore, a woman must NOT work if it neglects or prohibits her from fulfilling her duties as a wife and a mother.

Pope Pius XI in Casti Connubii

“It must be social, economic, physiological: – physiological, that is to say, the woman is to be freed at her own good pleasure from the burdensome duties properly belonging to a wife as companion and mother (We have already said that this is not an emancipation but a crime); social, inasmuch as the wife being freed from the cares of children and family, should, to the neglect of these, be able to follow her own bent and devote herself to business and even public affairs; finally economic, whereby the woman even without the knowledge and against the wish of her husband may be at liberty to conduct and administer her own affairs, giving her attention chiefly to these rather than to children, husband and family.”

“This, however, is not the true emancipation of woman, nor that rational and exalted liberty which belongs to the noble office of a Christian woman and wife; it is rather the debasing of the womanly character and the dignity of motherhood, and indeed of the whole family, as a result of which the husband suffers the loss of his wife, the children of their mother, and the home and the whole family of an ever watchful guardian.

More than this, this false liberty and unnatural equality with the husband is to the detriment of the woman herself, for if the woman descends from her truly regal throne to which she has been raised within the walls of the home by means of the Gospel, she will soon be reduced to the old state of slavery (if not in appearance, certainly in reality) and become as amongst the pagans the mere instrument of man.”

Pope John XXII in Pacem in Terris

“Women must be accorded such conditions of work as are consistent with their needs and responsibilities as wives and mothers.”

Pope Leo XIII in Rerum Novarum

“Women, again, are not suited for certain occupations; a woman is by nature fitted for home-work, and it is that which is best adapted at once to preserve her modesty and to promote the good bringing up of children and the well-being of the family.”

All of this to say a wife and mother should NOT get a job if it will or is to neglect her duties as a wife and mother, or to do so against the wish of her husband.

Whether you are discerning if God is calling you to be a wife, a mom, to stay at home, it is not up to me. My prayer for this post is to be you to Scripture and prayer. Pray about all of your concerns and questions to God. He will move through you in the Spirit and who He places in your life. It may be hard to change perspective and societal views you may have accepted. It can be very hard to change our ways of thinking. Trust that God will show you the way, and use you for His will.

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