God commands that older women teach young women to be keepers at home so they don’t blaspheme the word of God (Titus 2:3-5). Many women don’t like to be told to be keepers AT home. They want to be able to work outside of the home. They are “bored” at home. They don’t want to serve their families. They would rather serve others. God knew this and this is why He commands older women to teach them to be keepers AT home.
The commentaries of old had some interesting things to say about the phrase “keepers at home.” Here are a few of them:
“Home duties, cares, pleasures, sacrifices of self—these God-appointed duties ought to fill the mind and the heart of the young wife.” (Ellicot’s Commentary)
“Keepers at home—as ‘guardians of the house,’ as the Greek expresses. Active in household duties (Proverbs 7:11; 1 Timothy 5:13).” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commmentary)
“House-wives, not spending their time in gadding abroad, but in looking to the affairs of their own families.” (Matthew Poole’s Commentary)
“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.” (Gill’s Exposition)
“And ye taught them to be grave workers at home, keeping to the due limits of subjection, wholly pure minded.” (Cambridge Bible)
“Stayers at home.” (Pulpit Commentary)
From the following verses, we find that young women don’t want to be home. They want to wander away from home. In these days, they want to go shopping often, travel, have jobs away from home, or do anything they can so they don’t have to be home full time with their children caring for them and their homes. They would rather buy fast food, hire cleaning ladies, have laundromats do their laundry, etc. Anything to get away from their household duties.
“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Timothy 5:13, 14). And even in a verse about harlots, we are told one of her attributes is that “her feet abide not in her home” (Proverbs 7:11).
God’s will for young women is to be keepers at home. This is in direct contrast to what they are modeled growing up and taught in the schools, churches, and homes. This is why they are so offended when they learn that this is God’s will.
Jesus said these things while on earth: “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me” (John 14:21) and “If a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23). The same words that the Apostle Paul wrote about women being keepers at home and guiding the home are the same as what God commands of women since the Holy Spirit spoke through Paul.
Honest young women will admit that it is tempting to not be home full time. They want to “gad about” instead. There’s a lot of work to be done in the home: caring for husbands, children, and homemaking. Being content is something that must be learned. When you understand that this is God’s will for you, you will learn contentment and even find joy in serving your family and others. You will actually be happier and full of joy when you change your mindset and attitude and obey God. His will and ways are perfect!
Some women feel they have to be in the workforce because they are single mothers by their own choosing or from no fault of their own, or their husbands simply don’t make enough money. For the single mothers, pray. Ask the Lord to make a way for you to be home with your children where He wants you to be. He does immeasurably more than you can ask or think. Trust Him.
For those whose husbands don’t make “enough money,” read and study Laine’s Letters. Her husband has never made over $30,000 per year but through trust in God Almighty, prayer, and wisdom, she has been a full-time keeper at home for many, many years.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
Psalm 113:9
This content was originally published here.