Titus Meets Proverbs : Becoming the Titus 2 Woman

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

 - Titus 2:3-5

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

- Proverbs 31:29

In a study this week with my youngest daughter these verses really struck me.  I am crazy about the Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 women.  I study them often, set goals according to their attributes and my callings.  I have compared and thought on how the two relate.... sisters or one in the same they may be.  But this week what stood out was process and result.

Sure, both these chapters stand on their own two feet just fine.  However, reading verse 29 in our study called me to flip over to Titus 2 and consider how we might raise verse 29 in tribute to the woman who has fulfilled Titus 2.  I considered, also, how this applies to women in my own time, especially as mothers.

We, as mothers have a duty to our children beyond just raising them 'in the way they should go'.  Titus 2 shows us the details of a mother's life more than just her personal 'busy work' as in Proverbs 31.  Titus 2 calls us moms to:

- teach what is good.  Easy enough, what mother is going to teach her children what is bad... right?  However, consider this:  your children are watching you.  They watch what you wear, listen to what you say and watch what you do (how you spend your time and energy). They observe every single detail of your life whether you want them to or not (Titus 2:3,7-8 suggests this as well). When we consider 'actions speak louder than words' we have to realize and accept the responsibility that teaching what is good means modeling it too.  All the time. (And recognizing when we mess up so we can teach our children through our own mistakes!  They learn humility in these lessons as well!)

- train the young women to love their husbands and children.  I would argue that we can teach our young men to love their wives and children as well.  Again, teaching isn't just words, it is actions.  Remembering not just how we speak to our husbands but also how we speak about them when they are not around and our children are.  The best way our children can learn love is through observing and emulating our own actions towards them and their father.

- to be self controlled, pure.... [and] kind.  Model it.  When you are tempted to betray the witness of Christ and the model of control, kindness and purity, remember all that Christ endured for you and let his torment be your strength to squash the words and actions which you would later regret.  Remember, too, we don't live in.this.moment.... all moments are passing by.  We do live with the consequences of our actions/reactions in a moment though.  So when a moment seems too much to bare, breathe in and out, count to 20 (or 50 or 100...!), and step into the next moment renewed and ready to go!

- working at home.  Don't cringe.  Even if your children aspire to be doctors or lawyers, home life is a fact of life.  Learning the joy of contributing to household order is a blessing.  Learning a wonderful attitude for that work is, again, modeled and encouraged.  Remembering and reminding that we ought to work at ALL (not some but ALL) things 'as working for the Lord' because our attitudes in the work God has blessed us with (dirty dishes and laundry ARE a blessing) brings Him glory and if the purpose of life is to glorify God.... why wouldn't we invest the energy and time in taking joy in the work we do at home.  Consider it this way: what a great gift we have to offer our children's future spouses if we create in them the heart of joyful work at home which inevitably leads to a happier home where the Spirit delights in dwelling!

- submissive to their own husbands.  This isn't a dirty word as our modern culture wants you to think it is.  Biblical submission is a beautiful thing and indicates order and harmony.  Consider this concordance definition:

This word was a Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden". [blueletterbible.org]

We ought to model to our children the art of companionship, accepting our husband's council, and seeking his approval on anything but especially those things which affect the family as a whole.  I have tried to be the head of the household and can I just say, ladies, our house runs much smoother when I 'submit' with an attitude of cooperation and respect to my husband.  Remember, the husband's call isn't to "lord over you" in a domineering fashion but to care for you and be the helper/leader of the family.  When we consider this esteemed roll, it makes submission a joy.  (I know this topic goes much deeper than one blog article can cover.  I am aware of relationship complexities and as a result, a more in-depth look at marriage in the model of Titus 2/ Proverbs 31 will be discussed next week.)


The job of a mom may feel overwhelming at times.  The significance often becomes lost inside the mess of dishes, piles of laundry, sticky floor and incomplete assignments.  But know, beautiful woman, YOU are a model, a picture, a marvelous image pointing your daughter in the direction to become a Titus 2 woman herself (and your sons to become Titus 2 men).  

Don't give up.  

When you want to blow your top or turn your back... hold on for the hope that comes later and while our moments are here to live in, the moment is not where we stay.  It only leads to the next moment... and the next and the next and the next... each one with the promise of being better than the first.  If we only hold tight to the process of Titus 2 till we hear many women have done excellently but you surpass them all.  

Well done, my good and faithful servant.

I pray your strength is renewed in God's Word and wonderful Presence to persevere as you teach and train the young women (and men) in your life.

Blessings,

Linking up today with some of these...

P.S. sorry for the BIG letters today, having formatting issues!!