Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people. —Colossians 3:23
In the world’s eyes, women often derive their identity and status from paid work done outside of the home. Less status is conferred on labor in the home that’s not rewarded monetarily. This division between the private and public sphere has given rise to heated debates about the place of women and the meaning of home.
However, when Paul exhorted older women to train younger women to be “workers at home” (Titus 2:5), he was living in a different setting than our current world. It could seem that Paul was diminishing women’s worth and discouraging them from contributing to their church, community, or culture.
But Paul was progressive for his time and culture. He called Christian women to be intentional about employing their heads, hearts, and hands for the sake of the gospel. He welcomed the participation and partnership of women in his ministry (Rom. 16:1–16) and never disparaged their contributions. Rather he encouraged them to utilize their skills and maximize their assets for the advance of God’s kingdom.
Make it Personal
What images come to mind when you think of being a “worker at home”? How does knowing Paul’s perspective help your understanding?