Titus 2:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Titus 2:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Titus 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That they may teach the young women to be sober, etc.] Or to be chaste, modest, and temperate; or to be wise and prudent in their conduct to their husbands, and in the management of family affairs, who have had a large experience of these things before them. To love their husbands; to help and assist them all they can; to seek their honour and interest; to endeavour to please them in all things; to secure peace, harmony, and union; to carry it affectionately to them, and sympathize with them in all afflictions and distresses; for this is not so much said in opposition to placing their affections on other men, and to the defilement of the marriage bed, as to moroseness and ill nature. To love…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“to be sober--Greek, "self-restrained," "discreet"; the same Greek as in Tit 2:2, "temperate." (But see on Tit 2:2; compare Note, Ti2 1:7). ALFORD therefore translates, "That they school (admonish in their duty) the young women to be lovers of their husbands," &c. (the foundation of all domestic happiness). It was judicious that Titus, a young man, should admonish the young women, not directly, but through the older women.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That they may teach the young women to be sober - Margin, “wise” - a word similar to that which in Titus 2:2 is rendered “temperate,” and in 1 Timothy 3:2, “sober.” The meaning is, that they should instruct them to have their desires and passions well regulated, or under proper control. To love their husbands - φιλάνδρους philandrous. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul directs husbands to love their wives, and in Ephesians 5:33, the wife to reverence her husband, and here he says that it should be one of the first duties enjoined Son the wife that she should love her husband. All happiness in the marriage relation is based on mutual love. When that…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That they instruct the young women - These Timothy was to instruct himself; Titus, by the elder women. To love their husbands, their children - With a tender, temperate, holy, wise affection. O how hard a lesson. Titus 2:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the: Ti1 5:2, Ti1 5:11, Ti1 5:14 sober: or, wise, Tit 2:2 to love their husbands: Ti1 5:14 Titus 2:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification