Titus 2:5
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Original Language Analysis
σώφρονας
To be discreet
G4998
σώφρονας
To be discreet
Strong's:
G4998
Word #:
1 of 15
safe (sound) in mind, i.e., self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion)
ἁγνάς
chaste
G53
ἁγνάς
chaste
Strong's:
G53
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect
οἰκουρούς
keepers at home
G3626
οἰκουρούς
keepers at home
Strong's:
G3626
Word #:
3 of 15
a stayer at home, i.e., domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper")
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίοις
to their own
G2398
ἰδίοις
to their own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
7 of 15
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
10 of 15
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος
the word
G3056
λόγος
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
12 of 15
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Colossians 3:18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.1 Timothy 5:10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.Genesis 3:16Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.Ephesians 5:33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.Proverbs 7:11(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:1 Timothy 6:1Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Historical Context
Greco-Roman household codes emphasized wifely submission, making Christianity's teaching unremarkable culturally. But Christian theology transformed pagan duty into joyful gospel obedience. The household (οἶκος, oikos) was the basic economic and social unit; godly homes provided visible gospel apologetics to watching pagan neighbors.
Questions for Reflection
- Does your marriage adorn the gospel or provide ammunition for critics to blaspheme God's word?
- How do you navigate cultural opposition to biblical complementarity without either compromising Scripture or unnecessarily offending?
- In what specific ways does your life as a Christian woman demonstrate gospel transformation to watching unbelievers?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands—five qualities: σώφρονας (sophronas, self-controlled/discreet), ἁγνάς (hagnas, pure/chaste), οἰκουργούς (oikourgous, working at home/domestic), ἀγαθάς (agathas, good/kind), ὑποτασσομένας τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν (hypotassomenas tois idiois andrasin, submitting to their own husbands). This isn't universal female subordination but wives to their own husbands—authority in the marriage covenant, not gender hierarchy outside it.
That the word of God be not blasphemed (ἵνα μὴ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ βλασφημῆται, hina mē ho logos tou theou blasphēmētai)—the ultimate concern: God's reputation. When Christian wives live counter-culturally godly lives, critics can't mock Christianity. When they conform to worldliness, they give occasion for slander (βλασφημέω, blasphēmeō). Gospel witness requires lived demonstration.