To be Lovers of Children

From: Titus - Life in the Church

Titus 2:3-5

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,  ⁴so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,  ⁵to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

love their children

This word is similar to the word before it.  However, this combines the words phileo (love) and teknon (Children), so the older women are to encourage the younger women to be lovers of their children.  It is very natural for mothers to have agape love for their children.  This is a deep flowing natural love.  This also insinuates a love that cares for the children and puts the children before herself.  This does take encouragement.  This is not the love that comes easily and naturally, this is a love that endures faithfully and cares for the needs of her children.