In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Interestingly enough 65% of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life. In other words, people believe what is right in their own eyes on the most important issue of salvation. This is strangely comparable to what people believe about the woman’s role.
It makes sense then that if 65% of people of faith don’t believe the words of Jesus who said the only way to Heaven is through Him, many could easily take issue (and they do) with the commands for women to be housewives.
Through His word God gives command to his people; commands to humanity in general, such as don’t lie, and don’t murder. He gives commands to married men such as provide for your family, (1 Timothy 5:8), commands to children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1) and commands to married women such as… be busy in your home (Titus 2).
God’s Truth
This isn’t a popular viewpoint. It also isn’t “my truth.” This is God’s truth. The Greek word used in Titus 2 3:5 for “keepers at home” or “working at home” is oikouros and is a compound word, made up of first, oikos, meaning a house. The second, ouros, refers to a keeper, watcher or guardian. This is one who has the oversight and responsibility for something.
- The basic significance of oikourous is that of a “housekeeper”
- This is one who watches over a household and family
- One who sees to it that all members are cared for, and all things maintained in good order
- Oikourous is used only in the New Testament, in Titus 2:5
- In Greek literature during the first century, the word oikourous meant watching or keeping the house
- It meant keeping at home
- It was specifically used in praise of a good wife
- It was also used contemptuously of a man who refused to go out to war, designating him a “stay-at-home” man Source.
Making the Point
Even without Gods written word, anyone without worldly conditioning or preconceived ideas can easily see the woman was created for a certain roles and within a certain sphere. At the foundational level, her role, typically, is to get married, have children, and raise these children to the age where they can work in the family economy, then marry and begin the next generation.
As equal as women want everything, the simple truth is:
- Men can’t conceive
- Men can’t carry the unborn in their womb
- Men can’t nurse a baby
- And men don’t feel the guilt a woman feels when they both head back to work a week after the birth
Women were literally created to be in the home raising children, tending the garden and serving in that capacity. Woven all throughout the Bible are the threads that create a beautiful tapestry of a woman’s home life.
Genesis 18: Sarah is there in the tent, ready to serve her husband and show hospitality at a moments notice.
Psalm 113: The Lord graciously and lovingly takes the barren woman and gives her a home, housework and children. Praise ye the LORD.
1 Timothy 5: The older women live a life of child-raising and serving in the home.
The Clarity of Scripture
Could His word be any more clear? If these examples weren’t enough to convince, there are the clear commands to women in 1 Timothy 5 to manage the home and in Titus to be keepers at home, as well as the rebukes of Proverbs 7 which speaks of the loud and rebellious woman whose feet never stay at home.
Women at home = good. Women parading around town = bad. Again, this is Biblical.
Ladies, when you see the LORD extend kindness to women, and its expressed by giving her home to spend her life in and children to raise, it is beyond foolish for His chosen to say otherwise and suggest it is wise and favorable to rebel against his created order.
Our place is clearly in the home. It is good for us and our families. It is an honor to the LORD and the way of wisdom.
“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
