Day 322: Titus 2:4–5

Encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, pure, good homemakers, and submissive to their husbands (vv. 4–5).

In his letter to Titus, Paul mentions three distinct ways in which older women are to help younger women. Let’s see what we can learn from these.

1. Love your husband. Interestingly, the original word used for “love” is not agape this time. It’s philandros, which speaks of “loving [someone] as a friend.” Romantic love is so important in a marriage, but we also need to learn to be a friend to our mates. Women often have several good friends, but men tend to have fewer close friendships. A man often needs his wife to be a friend as well as a lover. Phileo love, which is central to philandros, grows from common interests. By our feminine natures, women don’t often share the same interests as men. But we can learn to share their interests! I want to be a better friend to my husband. If you’re married, let’s make this commitment together. We can be a friend to our spouses. Let’s start working on it right away.

2. Love your children. You may be thinking, Who needs to be taught how to love her children? Lots of wounded people, that’s who. I would make four suggestions to those who have difficulty loving their children: 1) Seek a mentor who can help train you to be a loving parent. 2) Seek sound, godly counsel to discover why your heart is hindered and how you can find freedom in Christ. 3) Do the right things until you feel the right things. In other words, hug your children and tell them you love them whether or not these actions come easily for you. 4) Take up your children’s interests. Attend their school functions, go to their games, have their friends over for pizza! Hang in there and seek some good support!

3. Be busy at home. The original word for “busy” means “one who looks after domestic affairs with prudence and care.” I believe Paul wanted older women to teach younger women that homes and families do not take care of themselves. Someone has to watch over the priorities. Children don’t raise themselves. Someone has to watch over them and be involved. A marriage doesn’t improve itself. Someone has to watch over it and encourage growth and intimacy. Even if we work, wise women still remain very involved in their homes and families. The wife and mother has something to give her home and family that no one else can supply as effectively: tenderness, nurturing, a personal touch.