What is a “keeper at home?”

As I mentioned in my last blog post, there is often an overwhelming amount of false presuppositions when it comes to gender roles in Scripture. I’ve touched on submission and what it means to be a helper, but now I want to look at the true meaning of being “keepers at home,” as seen in Titus 2:5.

In this text, women are told to be “working at home” or “keepers at home” among other things. This does not mean, as some argue, that women must not work outside the home. The Proverbs 31 Woman - who is the embodiment of wisdom - worked hard within her home but also outside the home (Proverbs 31:16).

To “work at home” is, in part, an exhortation to be diligent in household tasks. This means working hard to fulfill domestic responsibilities* like cooking, cleaning, tidying, budgeting, etc.

The practical side of running a house well can be a tremendous blessing to our families. The opposite - a slothfully kept home - is a detriment to home life.

But, the call to be a keeper at home goes beyond the practical side of things. The Greek word for “keeper” is “oikourgos” which means “taking care of household affairs; the watcher or keeper of the house.” It comes from the words “οἶκος” and “ouros” which mean “to guard.”

So not only is this instruction meant to exhort us to be practically caring for our homes, but we must also spiritually watch over them.

Women, we are spiritual watchmen. Be vigilant about the spiritual battles your family faces, be watchful to pray over your home, and guard your home against evil influences.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-13).”

*Of course, these will vary widely from home to home and may often be less traditional than what I mentioned here. To each their own!