Titus 2:5

to be self-controlled, pure, managers of their households, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be discredited.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul instructs Titus to direct older women to train younger women in the Cretan church. This directive functions as the closing portion of a broader household code addressing conduct across age and gender groups.

The words — The Greek terms σώφρονας (sōphronas) and ὑποτασσομένας (hupotassomenas) literally mean self-controlled and being subject. These descriptors establish the behavioral baseline Paul assigns to the younger women.

The thread — The instruction parallels the submission mandate in Colossians 3:18 and the household conduct guidelines in 1 Timothy 5:10. It also echoes the character portrait outlined in Proverbs 31:10.

Why it lands — The text requires younger women to regulate their conduct and domestic management to prevent the word of God from being discredited. Readers must treat these standards as public witness rather than private preference.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

σώφρονας,sōphronasself-controlled,ἁγνάς,hagnaspure οἰκουργοὺςoikourgousbusy at home ἀγαθάς,agathaskind,ὑποτασσομέναςhupotassomenasbeing subject τοῖςtois<the>ἰδίοιςidioisto [their] own ἀνδράσιν,andrasinhusbands,ἵναinaso that μὴmēnot ὁhothe λόγοςlogosword τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God βλασφημῆται.¶blasphēmētaimay be denigrated.

King James Version

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Cross-references

Proverbs 31:10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Colossians 3:18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:10 and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
1 Timothy 5:13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives
Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
Proverbs 7:11 She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Genesis 18:9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked. “There, in the tent,” he replied.