What
does God's Word say about the role of a woman? Let's start with Titus
2:3-5. (The following verses have had definitions inserted in
parenthesis.)
Titus 2
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour (demeanor) as becometh holiness, not false accusers (traducer- to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation), not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober (of sound mind/discipline), to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet (sound mind-self controlled), chaste (innocent, pure, blameless) keepers at home (guard of home, domestically inclined), good, obedient to their own husbands (obedient), that the word of God be not blasphemed (defamed).
This depicts a picture of a godly woman making sure she is in her rightful role of teaching women how to help others in the role of marriage and child rearing, to be obedient to her husband and how she is to conduct herself as a woman and to be the manager of her home. All this to glorify God, what an awesome plan!
The culture we live in (culture is made of man, not God) urges women to send their precious children into daycare or off to ungodly schools to be trained in the ways of the world instead of the ways of God. It encourages women to dump their God given role of keeper at home and helper to her husband and instead pursue a career (or just get out of the house); therefore neglecting the Word of God in disobedience of which His name may be blasphemed.
This does not mean a woman cannot work outside the home but that should only be done after careful consideration of whether she in in control of her household duties, if children are grown, if the husband approves of such a quest etc. In that, a woman must use extreme caution as to the job she chooses so as not to put her in situations that are unbiblical or would compromise her household or more importantly; the Word of God.
Being a keeper at home has much responsibility in that the woman is to make sure the household and her loved ones are well taken care of.
Yes, women are to submit to their husbands as woman was made for man, not man for woman. 1 Corinthians 11:9
Titus 2
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour (demeanor) as becometh holiness, not false accusers (traducer- to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation), not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober (of sound mind/discipline), to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet (sound mind-self controlled), chaste (innocent, pure, blameless) keepers at home (guard of home, domestically inclined), good, obedient to their own husbands (obedient), that the word of God be not blasphemed (defamed).
This depicts a picture of a godly woman making sure she is in her rightful role of teaching women how to help others in the role of marriage and child rearing, to be obedient to her husband and how she is to conduct herself as a woman and to be the manager of her home. All this to glorify God, what an awesome plan!
The culture we live in (culture is made of man, not God) urges women to send their precious children into daycare or off to ungodly schools to be trained in the ways of the world instead of the ways of God. It encourages women to dump their God given role of keeper at home and helper to her husband and instead pursue a career (or just get out of the house); therefore neglecting the Word of God in disobedience of which His name may be blasphemed.
This does not mean a woman cannot work outside the home but that should only be done after careful consideration of whether she in in control of her household duties, if children are grown, if the husband approves of such a quest etc. In that, a woman must use extreme caution as to the job she chooses so as not to put her in situations that are unbiblical or would compromise her household or more importantly; the Word of God.
Being a keeper at home has much responsibility in that the woman is to make sure the household and her loved ones are well taken care of.
Now if we look at Proverbs 31:10-31 we see
the details of a woman’s duties as keeper of the home.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for
her price is far above rubies.
(This shows how valuable a virtuous
woman is.)
11 The heart of her
husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
(Her husband can trust her in all
things therefore he can focus on his job as husband and leader of the home.)
12 She will do him good
and not evil all the days of her life. (She is there to help him, not hinder
him by pursuing a life of her own.)
13 She seeketh wool, and
flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. (Her will, her heart is in the labor
of her hands, doing what is necessary to provide for her household.)
14 She is like the
merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. (She goes the extra mile to obtain the
quality food for her household.)
15 She riseth also while
it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her
maidens.
(She is not lazy
and her first concern is to take care of her family as well as those who help her.)
16 She considereth a
field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (She is a resourceful entrepreneur,
working hard to provide for her family.)
17 She girdeth her loins
with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. (She works hard and is physically
strong from doing so.)
18 She perceiveth that
her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. (She makes quality merchandise and is
not slothful after a hard day’s work she continues on into the night.)
19 She layeth her hands
to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. (She uses her skills and is industrious in
fulfilling the needs of her household.)
20 She stretcheth out
her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. (She shows hospitality and charity to those in need.)
21 She is not afraid of
the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. (She is well prepared for the various
seasons and ensures that she makes and/or provides proper clothing for her
family.)
22 She maketh herself
coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. (The greek word for tapestry is ‘marbad’
and means covering or coverlet. The
greek word for silk is ‘shêsh sheshı̂y’
which means ‘white linen’. Purple was a
signification of wealth and rank and it does not necessarily mean ‘purple’ but can be used to signify the quality
of the clothing. We know in the New
Testament women are not to wear their wealth, nor adorn themselves so be
careful not to pull this verse out of context.)
23 Her husband is known
in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. (Her husband is prominent in the city
of which she is to be a good wife supporting him, building him up and not
bringing him to shame.)
24 She maketh fine
linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. (She is very resourceful and hard working in selling her goods to help
provide for her family.)
25 Strength and honour
are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Her inward ‘clothing’ is that of strength and
honor and she has confidence in what the future should bring; rejoicing (laughing)
in the time to come as she trusts in God for the future.)
26 She openeth her mouth
with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. (With wisdom she shares the law in
kindness, guides and lead her children.)
27 She looketh well to
the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. (She is constantly watching over the
ways of her household and is not sloughing off her duties onto another.)
28 Her children arise
up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (Her husband and children see her
unselfish love and care for them. They
love her and share their praises with her.
What better gift than to be praised by your children and husband for
being an excellent mother and wife.)
29 Many daughters have
done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. (She set the standard of excellency
over and above those before her.)
30 Favour is deceitful,
and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord,
she shall be praised. (Charm and beauty are nothing compared
to a woman who fears and serves the Lord)
31 Give her of the fruit
of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. (Her works -fruit- speak for themselves, she has earned her
praise and has pleased God.)
Just as we are told in Matthew 5:48 to
be perfect, godly women are to strive to hit the mark of the Proverbs 31 woman
and fulfill the requirements of Titus 2.
In this day and age a woman is shunned
or thought of as ‘crazy’ if she stays home in the role that God has planned,
but don’t let that deter you as we seek to please God not man. (Galatians 1:10)
Compared to biblical days, women of
today have many more conveniences to help save time and enable them to get much
more done in a 24 hr period that years ago might have taken many days. That frees up much time to have a garden, prepare
and preserve a food pantry, hang out clothes to dry, cook from
scratch, homeschool, help others, start a home business if they have skills to
do so, minister to other women, witness to the lost etc. Most importantly is serving God and being a helper to her husband.
Yes, women are to submit to their husbands as woman was made for man, not man for woman. 1 Corinthians 11:9
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:24 Therefore
as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands
in everything.
Colossians 3:8 Wives, submit
yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith
the law.
This role of
submission was established in the garden of Eden.
Genesis 3:16 Unto
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.
So we see the
established role for women. To be sober,
teachers of good works to their children and their sisters in the Lord. To be hard workers at home, managing a house
in an orderly and efficient manner, not being subject to laziness and
supporting and submitting to their husbands.
God has a beautiful
plan for men and women and the results (when played out as intended) are
amazing as it allows a woman to grow in her godliness and encourages a man to grow
in godliness and step into the role of leader of his house hold.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Please
contact us if we can help you in any way.
For His
glory…