A Word Study of Titus 2:3-5


1951 Arthur Sarnoff
The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becomes holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children; to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

These are not suggestions; they are God’s will for us!

To be Sober:  To be moderate, self-controlled, humble, well-balanced, steady, calm, cool, collected, quiet, thoughtful, serious, earnest, sincere, use common sense,  to do one’s duty, to simplify, and to learn to make wise decisions and judgments.

To Love Their Husbands: Be sexy for your husband!  Love on him physically and provide a place he wants to come home to.  Meet his physical and material needs in the home.

To Love Their Children:  Seems like an easy one, but I hate it when I hear mom’s bagging on their teens.  Or telling others they can’t wait for them to get back to school.  How sad is that?  I’m so thankful my mom didn’t treat me that way – she wanted us at home!  Hold your little one’s hand – train him – don’t let him get away with throwing off your hand.  It is secure for him when you hold it.   They do need to be trained when they are a toddler, though, and you will reap the benefits for years!   Smile, smile, smile!  Many times each day look into their eyes and smile.  Play games in between chores.  Teach them the why of things, not just to do it. 

To Be Discreet:  Sensible.  To show discernment (quick and accurate detection) or good judgment in conduct and especially in speech!  Prudent (or even prudently silent!).  Wise in avoiding error.  Wise in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose.  Circumspect.  Courteous.  Polite.  Honest dealings.  Considerate.  Careful.  Thoughtful.  Discerning.  Well-advised.  Cautious.  Highly sensible.  Has foresight.  Foresight implies prudent care for the future.  Prudent means capable of conducting oneself wisely and judiciously.  Judicious means directed or governed by sound judgment; wise. 

Chaste:  Pure.  Virtuous.  Decent in behavior and character.  Pure in thought, word, and act.  Modest, decent, respectable and honorable in all things.  Worthy of respect.  Pure – without taint; innocent, especially of unlawful intercourse.  Undefiled. 

Keepers at Home:  Keeper - One who watches, guards and maintains.  Being on guard, watching, caretaker.  Home – Seat of domestic life.  The vital center or seat.  Abode of one’s family.  One’s abode after death.  The abiding place of domestic affections.  Keeping the home is more than just staying at home – it is having a heart that is fixed upon our homes and family.  Sanctuary of peace, love, and order.

Good:  Genuine, joyful, virtuous, valuable, competent, ready, kind, benevolent, merciful, hardworking, agreeable, pleasant, congenial, honorable, faithful, gracious, wise, friendly, well-behaved, proper, becoming, honest, sincere, pious, devout, untainted.  Virtuous – pure, of moral excellence, chaste.  Benevolent – promoting the prosperity and happiness of others, kind, charitable, and generous.  Pious – dutiful and loyal to parents and family, devotion to God, not profane or secular.

Obedient to Their OWN Husbands – Respectful.  Yielding, willing and eager to accomplish injunctions or desires, abstaining from that which is forbidden.  Attentive.  Dutiful – a sense of duty prevails; heedful of the comfort of others, courteous.  Yield – to give precedence to another.  A lot of women are obedient, yielding, attentive and respectful to their male bosses and pastors, but what about their husbands?

Collecting these definitions has been quite an eye-opener!  I urge you to do your own Word study.  It is much more meaningful when you WRITE these definitions down yourself. 

I used a dictionary from the 1940’s and found that the words were much more descriptive than my most current dictionary.  I also incorporated definitions from Debi Pearl’s “Created to Be His Help Meet.” 

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