Titus 2:5

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Titus 2:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “[to be] sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

[to be] sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:
Titus 2:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Titus 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5[to be] sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To be discreet, etc.] Or temperate in eating and drinking, so the word is rendered in (<560202>Titus 2:2) or to be sober both in body and mind; or to be wise and prudent in the whole of their conduct, both at home and abroad: chaste; in body, in affection, words and actions, having their love pure and single to their own husbands, keeping their marriage bed undefiled. Keepers at home: minding their own family affairs, not gadding abroad; and inspecting into, and busying themselves about other people's matters. This is said in opposition to what women are prone unto. It is reckoned among the properties of women, by the Jews, that they are twynaxwy, “gadders abroad” f22 : they have some rules…”
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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
“keepers at home--as "guardians of the house," as the Greek expresses. The oldest manuscripts read, "Workers at home": active in household duties (Pro 7:11; Ti1 5:13). good--kind, beneficent (Mat 20:15; Rom 5:7; Pe1 2:18). Not churlish and niggardly, but thrifty as housewives. obedient--rather "submissive," as the Greek is translated; (see on Eph 5:21-22; Eph 5:24). their own--marking the duty of subjection which they owe them, as being their own husbands (Eph 5:22; Col 3:18). blasphemed--"evil spoken of." That no reproach may be cast on the Gospel, through the inconsistencies of its professors (Tit 2:8, Tit 2:10; Rom 2:24; Ti1 5:14; Ti1 6:1). "Unless we are virtuous, blasphemy will come…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To be discreet - The same word rendered, in Titus 2:2, “temperate,” and explained in Titus 2:4. Chaste - Pure - in heart, and in life. Keepers at home - That is, characteristically attentive to their domestic concerns, or to their duties in their families. A similar injunction is found in the precepts of the Pythagoreans - τὰν γὰρ γύναικα δεῖ οἰκουρεῖν καὶ ἔνδον μένειν tan gar gunaika dei oikourein kai endon menein. See Creuzer’s Symbolik, iii. 120. This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties and become “busy-bodies” in…”
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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
“Discreet - Particularly in the love of their children. Chaste - Particularly in the love of their husbands. Keepers at home - Whenever they are not called out by works of necessity, piety, and mercy. Good - Well tempered, sweet, soft, obliging. Obedient to their husbands - Whose will, in all things lawful, is a rule to the wife. That the word of God be not blasphemed - Or evil spoken of; particularly by unbelieving husbands, who lay all the blame on the religion of their wives. Titus 2:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“discreet: Tit 2:2 keepers: Gen 16:8, Gen 16:9, Gen 18:9; Pro 7:11, 31:10-31; Ti1 5:13 good: Act 9:36, Act 9:39; Ti1 5:10 obedient: Gen 3:16; Co1 11:3, Co1 14:34; Eph 5:22-24, Eph 5:33; Col 3:18; Ti1 2:11, Ti1 2:12; Pe1 3:1-5 that: Sa2 12:14; Psa 74:10; Rom 2:24; Ti1 5:14, Ti1 6:1 Titus 2:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification