GUIDE THE HOUSE

by Kevin Rutherford

 

In the context of a discussion concerning which widows the church is responsible to help, Paul spoke of God’s purpose for younger widows.  He said, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully (1 Timothy 5:14).” Paul made it clear that God expects younger women to “guide the house.”  God has given the woman a role in the home.  That role is to manage the household affairs.  She is to spend her time in rearing the children and organizing the functions of the home.

Paul thought God’s role for women in the home was important enough to repeat.  Titus was sent to Crete to help the church to become organized, and to take care of some problems in the church.  One of the subjects Paul wanted Titus to teach the Christians in Crete was the role of women in the home.  Paul said the older women should be teaching the younger women “to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed (Titus 2:4, 5).”  Notice Paul said the young women must be “keepers at home.” The primary work of mothers is the home.  The primary function of women in the home is to raise the children and manage the home.  Some translations say she must be a “homemaker.”  While remaining in submission to her husband she manages the affairs of the household.

When Paul wrote concerning male leadership in the church he referred to the function of Christian women.  He said, “She shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety (1 Timothy 2:15).” God has given the role of leadership in the church to the man.  That is his function in the church.  God has given the role of rearing children to women.  That is her function in the church and home.  The rearing of children must be her focus.  When a woman spends her time in the home, managing the affairs of the home, and rearing the children she is fulfilling her God given role.  She is doing God’s work.  She will save her soul as long as she is faithful also in other areas of her Christian life.

Those godly, Christian women who “guide the house,” and are “keepers at home,” are doing one of the most important works in this world.  They are molding the future of church and society.  They are rearing future generations. They are shaping the lives of young children.  They stand between Satan and their children, strengthening their children spiritually for the time when they shall go out into the world on their own.  They are working hard to make sure the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their children are met.  They give their time, emotions, and energy to this monumental and exceedingly worthy effort. May God bless those who “guide the house.