1. 2 Issues about Christian women and the home
KEEPERS AT HOME
2 Issues about Christian women and the home

2. Introduction
There are 2 issues that need to be discussed about women in the home
What if the husband is not a Christian? Is he still the “head of the house” and the wife is to “submit”?
Does the Bible forbid women from working outside the home? What does “keepers at home” mean?

3. 1 Peter 3:1-2
1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

4. 1 Peter 3:1-2 teaches
Headship was established – before the Law of Moses or Christianity.
 To the woman He said: "I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

5. 1 Peter 3:1-2 teaches Even if they do not obey the gospel –
Same principle applies to government – obey, submit
One exception – if they violate a COMMAND of God
NOTE: Not my feelings, desires, or opinion – but commands

6. 1 Peter 3:1-2 teaches Evangelism is more than words.
You can win them by the life of faith they see in you
Can they see your chaste conduct?
Chaste = clear, modest, clean, pure
In NT 8 times – 4 times – pure, 3 chaste, 1 clear
Evangelism is more than words.

7. 1 Peter 3:1-2 teaches
One Exception – If it requires you to violate the commands of God.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:19-20

8. Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)
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; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

9. Statistics 122 million adult women in the USA
72 million adult women work
59.5% of adult women work
77% of mothers of school age children work

10. Observations Years ago there were stronger feelings on this issue
Some feel the need to defend their working outside the home
What does the Bible teach?

11. Questions What does “keepers at home” mean?
What does the phrase forbid, command, allow?
What is the reason for this command?

12. “Keepers at home”
Greek word – oikouras – guard, keeper, taking care of household affairs
NIV – busy at home
ASV – workers at home
NKJV – homemakers
As "guardians of the house," as the Greek expresses.—Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. “Word be not blasphemed”
RSV – not be discredited
NIV – not be maligned
SEB – no one can say evil things about God’s message
Luscombe’s version – Women are to manage the affairs of the home. In doing so, the Word of God will not be spoken against.

14. To work or not work Work or not work – not the issue
A woman can work and violate Titus 2:5
A woman can not work still violate Titus 2:5
Issue is: Does she manage the affiars of the home?

15. Priorities What are her priorities? Sometimes they get out of order!
God Matthew 6:33
Spouse Ephesians 5:21-33
Children Psalm 127:3; Ephesians 6:4
Vocation Colossians 3:22-25
Service Galatians 6:10
Social / Recreational / Personal
Sometimes they get out of order!

16. Keepers at Home Does NOT mean – This passage DOES teach –
Stay at home, don’t leave the house, don’t work
Women should not be employed, own a business
This passage DOES teach –
Family is more important
Woman should manage the home

17. Keepers at Home Arguments in favor of women working
Financial income needed
Security if marriage fails
Don’t waist college training
Keeps her mentally alert
Keeps her appearance neat, attractive

18. Keepers at Home Arguments in against women working
Money becomes the determining factor
Makes the wife independent
Lessens the interest in the home
Mother’s influence is replaced by a day care worker or sitter
Fatigue leads to irritability
Limits involvement in church activities

19. Conclusion: In the OT – women worked Virtuous woman
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. Proverbs 31:24
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. Proverbs 31:16

20. Conclusion: In the NT – women worked Lydia
Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14

21. Conclusion: To work or not work is not the major issue in Titus 2
To oversee, manage the affairs of the home is required