Paula

I also believe there is much significance in the fact that this concerned believers in Crete. Paul described them as lazy and irresponsible (among other things). It stands to reason that the women there were not minding their homes, so the believing women who were elders were to get these lazy women up to speed socially.

That is the reason for the emphasis on basic domestic instructions for the women. The church did not need a bad reputation in society, even in Crete, and the women had an extra hurdle to jump. And obviously Titus himself could not be a role model to the women.

It’s quite ironic that when we point these things out, we’re accused of engaging in “gymnastics”, yet our critics engage in much more elaborate gymnastics when it suits them, even sometimes to the point of adding to scripture (such as “a sign of authority on her head”). I guess context only matters when strong, leading women in scripture are to be hammered down.