2:3 2:3

Titus 2:4

2:5 2:5

Bible Versions

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
That {G2443} they may teach {G4994} the young women {G3501} to be {G1511} sober {G4994}, to love their husbands {G5362}, to love their children {G5388},
thus training the younger women to love their husbands and children,
In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,
that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

Context

Titus 2 presents Paul's instructions to Titus, his apostolic delegate on the island of Crete, regarding the conduct of various groups within the church. Following exhortations for older men and older women (Titus 2:2-3), verse 4 begins to detail the specific responsibilities of older women in mentoring younger women. This guidance is crucial for establishing sound doctrine and godly living within the community, especially in a culture known for its moral laxity. The aim is for the lives of believers to adorn the teaching of God our Saviour.

Key Themes

  • Intergenerational Mentorship: This verse highlights the vital role of older, mature women in discipling younger women. It's not just about theoretical teaching but practical, lived wisdom passed on through relationship and example, fostering spiritual growth and maturity.
  • Domestic Virtues: The instruction focuses on essential virtues within the home, emphasizing the foundational importance of family relationships:
    • Love for Husbands: This underscores a profound affection and unwavering commitment to their spouses, forming the bedrock of a healthy, Christian marriage.
    • Love for Children: It stresses a natural, nurturing, and devoted love for their offspring, crucial for raising godly generations and creating a stable family environment.
  • Soberness and Self-Control: The call to be "sober" underpins all other virtues, promoting a balanced, disciplined, and sound mind that avoids excess, frivolity, and impulsive behavior.

Linguistic Insights

The original Greek provides valuable nuance to Paul's instructions:

  • "Sober" (Greek: sōphronas, from the verb sōphronizō in verse 4): This term implies being of a sound mind, self-controlled, sensible, and prudent. It's about having a disciplined inner life that governs outward behavior, promoting discretion and wisdom in all aspects of life.
  • "Love their husbands" (Greek: philandrous): This is a unique compound word, literally meaning "husband-loving." It denotes a specific, affectionate love and deep devotion towards one's husband, highlighting the marital bond as a primary area of Christian virtue for women. It signifies genuine affection beyond mere duty.
  • "Love their children" (Greek: philoteknous): Also a unique compound word, meaning "child-loving." Similar to philandrous, it emphasizes a natural, strong, and affectionate love for one's offspring, signifying a deep commitment to nurturing, caring for, and guiding their children.

Practical Application

Titus 2:4 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, offering timeless principles for Christian living and community:

  • Embrace Mentorship: Older, spiritually mature women are called to actively invest in younger women, sharing wisdom and experience in areas like marriage, parenting, home management, and spiritual disciplines. This creates a legacy of faith and practical godliness.
  • Prioritize the Home: The verse elevates the importance of the family unit as a sphere of Christian witness. Cultivating a loving relationship with one's husband and children is a significant act of obedience and a foundation for a healthy church and society. This aligns with other New Testament teachings on the importance of the wife's role in the home.
  • Cultivate Self-Control: The call to be "sober" encourages all believers, particularly women, to live with discretion, wisdom, and spiritual discernment in every aspect of life, avoiding impulsive or thoughtless actions that could dishonor God or the gospel.

This verse reminds us that godly living begins in the home and is fostered through intentional relationships between generations, ultimately bringing glory to God and making the gospel attractive to the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 5:14

    I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

  • 1 Timothy 5:2

    The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

  • 1 Timothy 5:11

    But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
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