King James Version

What Does Titus 2:5 Mean?

Titus 2:5 in the King James Version says “To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” — study this verse from Titus chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Titus 2:5 · KJV

Context

3

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; holiness: or, holy women false: or, one who foments strife

4

That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, sober: or, wise

5

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6

Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. sober: or, discreet

7

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. Does your marriage adorn the gospel or provide ammunition for critics to blaspheme God's word?
  2. How do you navigate cultural opposition to biblical complementarity without either compromising Scripture or unnecessarily offending?
  3. In what specific ways does your life as a Christian woman demonstrate gospel transformation to watching unbelievers?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
σώφρονας1 of 15

“To be discreet”

G4998

safe (sound) in mind, i.e., self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion)

ἁγνάς2 of 15

“chaste”

G53

properly, clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect

οἰκουρούς3 of 15

“keepers at home”

G3626

a stayer at home, i.e., domestically inclined (a "good housekeeper")

ἀγαθάς4 of 15

“good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

ὑποτασσομένας5 of 15

“obedient”

G5293

to subordinate; reflexively, to obey

τοῖς6 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίοις7 of 15

“to their own”

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

ἀνδράσιν8 of 15

“husbands”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

ἵνα9 of 15
G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

μὴ10 of 15
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ὁ11 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγος12 of 15

“the word”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τοῦ13 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ14 of 15

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

βλασφημῆται15 of 15

“be”

G987

to vilify; specially, to speak impiously

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Titus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Titus 2:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Titus 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 31:10-31Colossians 3:181 Timothy 5:101 Peter 3:1-51 Timothy 5:13-14Genesis 3:16

Test Your Knowledge

Titus 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterTitus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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