Paul listed seven responsibilities of these women. They were (1) to be lovers of their husbands (to put their welfare before self-interests), (2) to be lovers of their children, and (3) to be sensible (Gr. sophronas; self-controlled). They were also (4) to be pure (Gr. hagnas) and (5) to be workers at home (Gr. oikourgous, producers of orderliness in the home, 1 Tim. 5:14; not necessarily occupied exclusively with household chores). Finally they were (6) to be kind (Gr. agthas) and (7) to be subject to their own husbands (Gr. hypotassomenas tois idiois andrasin) as to God's ordained authority in their family; Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1). Such behavior would guard the Word of God from dishonor by those who would otherwise observe inconsistency between the teaching of Scripture and the conduct of these women.
"Here we have the first of several clear articulations of the need for good works for the sake of nonbelievers . . . [cf. 2:1, 10, 11, 14; 3:2, 8, 14])."42
"The training of the younger women is the duty, not of Titus, but the older women, qualified to do so by position and character. Train' means to school in the lessons of sobriety and self-control (cf. vv. 2, 5). Younger' is a positive adjective literally meaning new' or fresh' and probably suggests a reference to the newly married."43
The word "subject"(Gr. hypotasso, v. 5) in the phrase "subject to their husbands"is not the exact equivalent of "to obey."
"The hypotassisthaiwhich Paul here [in Rom. 13:1] and elsewhere [e.g., Titus 2:5] enjoins is to be understood in terms of God's taxisor order.' It is the responsible acceptance of a relationship in which God has placed one and the resulting honest attempt to fulfill the duties which it imposes on one [cf. Eph. 5:24]."44
Paul was addressing himself to the typical young married woman who has children. Other young women would need to make adjustments to their situations in harmony with the principles underlying these directions.
Loving in this way involves unconditional acceptance. Wives need to accept their husbands as they are, namely as imperfect sinners like themselves. This acceptance should not depend on the husband's performance but on his worth as a good gift God has given to the wife. The wife needs to accept her husband's thoughts, feelings, decisions, and failures. Love is active, not passive. It is something we do. Love involves listening because listening says, "I love you and I care about you."Loving a husband involves a wife accepting her lifestyle that results from her husband's schedule. It involves protecting him from criticism in public as his ally rather than criticizing him before others. Love involves committing to a mutually fulfilling sexual relationship and sometimes taking the initiative for his pleasure. The best thing a couple can do for their children is to love each other unconditionally.
God wants wives to make homemaking a priority. A woman's home is the primary arena of her ministry. It also makes a statement about her values. Normally homemaking includes nurturing children (cf. Prov. 1:8; 1 Thess. 2:7). Supplementing the family income may be a possible option (cf. Prov. 31:16, 34). However a mother should take a job only if both her husband and she agree that this would be best for the family.
"A wife's first responsibility is in her home."45
"The wise husband allows his wife to manage the affairs of the household, for this is her ministry."46
"Any marriage relationship that is conceived and maintained only on the basis of each member adhering to certain prescribed legal requirements is probably doomed from the beginning. In considering the New Testament teaching on marriage, especially in Paul's letters, the emphasis appears to be on the maintenance of a mutual or reciprocal commitment of the husband and the wife to an exclusive, intimate, loving, and caring partnership. When these prescribed biblical attitudes between husband and wife prevail, there will be little (if any) need for resorting to God's intended order for establishing authority within the home."48
