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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Tit_2:3-5
3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.
Tit_2:3 "reverent in their behavior" This is a compound term of hieros, that which is holy or sacred (from hierou, for temple) and prepei, that which is fitting or proper. Older Christian women are to behave in godly, holy ways (cf. 1Ti_2:10).
NASB "not malicious gossips"
NKJV, NRSV,
TEV "not slanderers"
NJB "no slander-mongering
The term used here (diabolos) is the same as is used of the Devil, the "slanderer" (cf. Joh_6:20; 1Ti_3:6. See hyperlink at 1Ti_3:6). However, it is plural and does not have the article (cf. 1Ti_3:11; 2Ti_3:3). John Calvin said that "talkativeness is a disease of women, and it is increased by age."
The problem referred to is not only tale-bearing but possibly the sharing of false information (cf. 1Ti_5:13). The young widows may have been the surrogate speakers for the false teachers in the homes and house churches of Ephesus (cf. 2Ti_3:5-7). Whether this phrase (cf. 1Ti_3:11; 2Ti_3:3) refers to the same problem is uncertain.
▣ "nor enslaved to much wine" This is a perfect passive participle. This is a stronger statement than Tit_1:7 or 1Ti_3:3; 1Ti_3:8. Alcoholism (see Special Topic at 1Ti_3:3) must have been a problem in Crete, which shows that NT guidelines may intensify or relax in certain cultures.
▣ "teaching what is good" Because of 1Ti_2:12 this apparently means teachers at home or mentors of younger women. Tit_2:4-5 give the content of the teaching. See Special Topic at 1Ti_3:3.
Tit_2:4 "encourage the young women" The root term sôphrôn is found in Tit_2:4-6; Tit_2:12. Its basic meaning is "to be of a sound mind." It advocates a self-controlled, balanced life.
▣ "to love their husband, to love their children" These two Greek words are found only here in the NT. God's will for married women is that they be lovers of husband and children. The false teachers were disrupting homes (cf. Tit_1:11; 2Ti_3:6).
Tit_2:5 The characterization of young women as obedient homemakers was the expected social norm of the first century Mediterranean culture (cf. 1Ti_2:10). Does this message apply to married women in all cultures in all times? This is not an easy question! Modern Christians must allow some freedom of interpretation here without dogmatism. Please read How to Read the Bible For All Its Worth by Fee and Stuart and The Gospel and Spirit by Gordon Fee.
▣ "sensible" See full note at 1Ti_3:2.
▣ "pure" This term is found only here in the Pastorals. Paul used it of a "pure bride" (i.e., the Church) in 2Co_11:2.
NASB "workers at home"
NKJV "homemakers"
NRSV "good managers of the household"
TEV "good housewives"
NJB "how to work in their homes"
There is a Greek manuscript problem in this phrase (see BAGD, p. 561). Most early uncial manuscripts ( à *, A, C, D*, F, G, I), most early church Fathers, and most later minuscule manuscripts have the common term, houseworker (oikourgos, "house" + "worker"), but some ancient texts ( à c, Dc, H, L, P) have housekeeper (oikouros, "house" + "guard"), which is similar to 1Ti_5:14, oikodesmoteu (household manager, "house" + "master").
This term, oikourgous, is a very rare term (Bruce M. Metzger, Commentary on the Greek New Testament, p. 654. One of the basic tenets of textual criticism is that the most unusual term or phrase is probably original because scribes would have been more likely to change it to something familiar.
▣ "subject to their own husbands" The term "subject" or "submit" comes from a military term that referred to a chain of command. This is a present middle participle (cf. Eph_5:21 ff; Col_3:18; 1 Tim. 2;11-12; 1Pe_3:1). However, notice that Paul, in Eph_5:21, links submission to being filled with the Spirit (cf. Eph_5:18) and makes it a mutual responsibility of all Christians. Please read notes at 1Ti_2:11-12.
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▣ "so that the word of God will not be dishonored" Believers' lifestyles are significant. This is a recurrent theme in the Pastoral Letters, "no handle for criticism" (cf. Tit_2:8; Tit_2:10; 1Ti_3:2; 1Ti_3:7; 1Ti_3:10; 1Ti_5:8; 1Ti_5:14; 1Ti_6:1; Tit_1:6-8; Tit_1:10). Believers' lives and words should bring others to Christ. True, sound, healthy teaching never separates justification from sanctification!