I had always wondered what Paul meant when he said that women would be saved through childbearing.
To anyone else interested I found an answer which made a great deal of sense, so i wanted to share it.
"Deliverance through Childbearing in 1st Timothy 2:15."
[posted prior to 10/12/02]
(print-friendly RTF version)
Question:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,
I've had a question about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15 for quite some time and have never gotten a solid answer. The concordances I've turned to have given me broad answers and general speculations. Can you please tell me what Paul meant when he said that "...women will be saved through childbearing..."?
Any insight, please?
Thank you
Response:
I'm happy to give you my interpretation of this passage. Let me say at the outset that beyond all question this passage is not saying that childbearing has anything to do with salvation: salvation, eternal life, is promised to all who believe in and faithfully follow our Lord, the only way of salvation (Jn.14:6; cf. Gal.3:26-29). The same Paul who wrote the passage you ask about also encourages believers to stay single, if possible, an eventuality which would rule out the possibility of legitimate parenthood altogether (1Cor.7:1; 7:7; 7:8; 7:29-38). Having children does not save a person, nor does failing to have children prevent a person from being saved.
Paul's comments at the end of 1st Timothy chapter two are addressed to women in general, but the example of Eve used in verses 13-14 is of critical importance to understanding verse 15 (which does not occur in a vacuum, but only makes sense in the context). Four things in the Greek text which are not clear from most English translations:
1) the verb "saved" is third singular, not plural (translate: "she", not "they");
2) the word "childbearing" is preceded by the Greek definite article, i.e., the word "the" - and the Greek article is stronger than the English one, closer to the demonstrative pronoun = "this";
3) the words "[she] will be saved" translate the Greek verb "sozo", which, more often outside of the Bible and occasionally inside the Bible has the meaning "deliver" = not eternal salvation but rescue from trouble in time;
4) the word translated "through" is the Greek preposition dia, which, while it can mean "through" in the sense of "by means of", here means, as if often the case, "through" in the sense of "[passing] through" (this is the usual meaning when combined with the verb sozo).
When one puts these facts together with the immediate context of the example of the first woman, Eve, it becomes clear that 1Tim.2:15 is to be related directly to Genesis 3:16, that is, to the curse of pain in childbirth as Eve's part in the judgment for the fall (corresponding to Adam's "thorns and thistles - sweat of the brow" and the serpent's "eat dust - crawl on the belly"):
The woman [Eve] participated in the transgression [of Adam's fall], though she was
deceived. But she [i.e., still here as a type of all women to follow] will be
delivered-safely-through this [painful experience of] childbearing [Gen.3:16] - provided
they [all believing women after Eve's example] prudently abide in faith, and love, and
sanctification.
1st Timothy 2:14b-15
Having in verses 9-14 just "pulled up short" a group women in Corinth who were taking advantage of Timothy's apparent difficulties in asserting his own authority, Paul, in verse 15, finds it necessary to provide a bit of reassurance for all the Corinthian women that the Gen.3:16 curse on women of painful childbirth which he has mentioned to shore up Timothy's position of authority should not occasion fear about having children - for God will protect and deliver-through this experience all those Christian women who are truly following Him – this is real main point behind 1Tim.2:15.
So it is a bit ironic that this verse, meant to encourage sisters in Christ by assuring them of God's concern for them in the matter of childbearing (a potentially frightening thing in the context of Genesis 3:16 when unexplained - especially in the 1st century), has from time to time been a cause for alarm rather than a reassurance.
I hope this is some help to you,
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bob Luginbill
:cloud9: And a spiritual understanding of that would be that the woman/soul is saved thru birthing the Son, Jesus Christ. The firstborn of everything that opens the matrix (womb) is blessed. Blessings....
Amen Cardinal, perfect. :happy3: :happy3:
CHB
Nature...............nature of flesh, first children.
Nature.............. nature of Spirit, God's children.
Children are a heritage of the Lord, happy is he that has his quiver full.
After you have lost the first children, again in this place, children shall
be born.......
We are predestinated to the adoption of children.
Quote from: jesushandsarekindhands on October 29, 2009, 04:06:43 PM
I had always wondered what Paul meant when he said that women would be saved through childbearing.
To anyone else interested I found an answer which made a great deal of sense, so i wanted to share it.
"Deliverance through Childbearing in 1st Timothy 2:15."
[posted prior to 10/12/02]
(print-friendly RTF version)
Question:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,
I've had a question about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15 for quite some time and have never gotten a solid answer. The concordances I've turned to have given me broad answers and general speculations. Can you please tell me what Paul meant when he said that "...women will be saved through childbearing..."?
Any insight, please?
Thank you
Response:
I'm happy to give you my interpretation of this passage. Let me say at the outset that beyond all question this passage is not saying that childbearing has anything to do with salvation: salvation, eternal life, is promised to all who believe in and faithfully follow our Lord, the only way of salvation (Jn.14:6; cf. Gal.3:26-29). The same Paul who wrote the passage you ask about also encourages believers to stay single, if possible, an eventuality which would rule out the possibility of legitimate parenthood altogether (1Cor.7:1; 7:7; 7:8; 7:29-38). Having children does not save a person, nor does failing to have children prevent a person from being saved.
Paul's comments at the end of 1st Timothy chapter two are addressed to women in general, but the example of Eve used in verses 13-14 is of critical importance to understanding verse 15 (which does not occur in a vacuum, but only makes sense in the context). Four things in the Greek text which are not clear from most English translations:
1) the verb "saved" is third singular, not plural (translate: "she", not "they");
2) the word "childbearing" is preceded by the Greek definite article, i.e., the word "the" - and the Greek article is stronger than the English one, closer to the demonstrative pronoun = "this";
3) the words "[she] will be saved" translate the Greek verb "sozo", which, more often outside of the Bible and occasionally inside the Bible has the meaning "deliver" = not eternal salvation but rescue from trouble in time;
4) the word translated "through" is the Greek preposition dia, which, while it can mean "through" in the sense of "by means of", here means, as if often the case, "through" in the sense of "[passing] through" (this is the usual meaning when combined with the verb sozo).
When one puts these facts together with the immediate context of the example of the first woman, Eve, it becomes clear that 1Tim.2:15 is to be related directly to Genesis 3:16, that is, to the curse of pain in childbirth as Eve's part in the judgment for the fall (corresponding to Adam's "thorns and thistles - sweat of the brow" and the serpent's "eat dust - crawl on the belly"):
The woman [Eve] participated in the transgression [of Adam's fall], though she was
deceived. But she [i.e., still here as a type of all women to follow] will be
delivered-safely-through this [painful experience of] childbearing [Gen.3:16] - provided
they [all believing women after Eve's example] prudently abide in faith, and love, and
sanctification.
1st Timothy 2:14b-15
Having in verses 9-14 just "pulled up short" a group women in Corinth who were taking advantage of Timothy's apparent difficulties in asserting his own authority, Paul, in verse 15, finds it necessary to provide a bit of reassurance for all the Corinthian women that the Gen.3:16 curse on women of painful childbirth which he has mentioned to shore up Timothy's position of authority should not occasion fear about having children - for God will protect and deliver-through this experience all those Christian women who are truly following Him – this is real main point behind 1Tim.2:15.
So it is a bit ironic that this verse, meant to encourage sisters in Christ by assuring them of God's concern for them in the matter of childbearing (a potentially frightening thing in the context of Genesis 3:16 when unexplained - especially in the 1st century), has from time to time been a cause for alarm rather than a reassurance.
I hope this is some help to you,
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bob Luginbill
There are textual critics out there who feel they have good reason to believe that 1st Timothy was not actually written by Paul, but by someone else later on.
But should they be wrong, the spiritual explanations that have been given here could work, too.
Isaaih 66;7
Before she goes into labour she gives birth; before the pains come upon her,she delivers a son..Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen such things?
Can a country be born in a day? or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet, no sooner is Zion in labour and she gives birth
to her children
Do I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery? says
the Lord. Do I close up the womb when I bring to delivery? says your God..
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her,all you who love her.
v 10 for you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts,you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance.
v 22 As the new heavens and new earth that I make will endure before me, declares the Lord, so will your name and descendants endure
Proverbs 7;1 My son,keep my words and store up my commands within you
v 10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute with crafty intent. She is loud and defiant,
HER FEET NEVER STAY AT HOME
now in the street,now in the squares, at every corner she lurks
[think of all the babylon 'churches' on every corner in town..the making of proselytes..teaching of lies of an adulteress]
She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said," I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you.
Wisdom's call Ch 8 v 6 my mouth speaks what is true...
all the words of my mouth are just; none of them are crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to they who have knowledge
Quote from: jesushandsarekindhands on October 29, 2009, 04:06:43 PM
I had always wondered what Paul meant when he said that women would be saved through childbearing.
To anyone else interested I found an answer which made a great deal of sense, so i wanted to share it.
"Deliverance through Childbearing in 1st Timothy 2:15."
[posted prior to 10/12/02]
(print-friendly RTF version)
Question:
Dear Dr. Luginbill,
I've had a question about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:15 for quite some time and have never gotten a solid answer. The concordances I've turned to have given me broad answers and general speculations. Can you please tell me what Paul meant when he said that "...women will be saved through childbearing..."?
Any insight, please?
Thank you
Response:
I'm happy to give you my interpretation of this passage. Let me say at the outset that beyond all question this passage is not saying that childbearing has anything to do with salvation: salvation, eternal life, is promised to all who believe in and faithfully follow our Lord, the only way of salvation (Jn.14:6; cf. Gal.3:26-29). The same Paul who wrote the passage you ask about also encourages believers to stay single, if possible, an eventuality which would rule out the possibility of legitimate parenthood altogether (1Cor.7:1; 7:7; 7:8; 7:29-38). Having children does not save a person, nor does failing to have children prevent a person from being saved.
Paul's comments at the end of 1st Timothy chapter two are addressed to women in general, but the example of Eve used in verses 13-14 is of critical importance to understanding verse 15 (which does not occur in a vacuum, but only makes sense in the context). Four things in the Greek text which are not clear from most English translations:
1) the verb "saved" is third singular, not plural (translate: "she", not "they");
2) the word "childbearing" is preceded by the Greek definite article, i.e., the word "the" - and the Greek article is stronger than the English one, closer to the demonstrative pronoun = "this";
3) the words "[she] will be saved" translate the Greek verb "sozo", which, more often outside of the Bible and occasionally inside the Bible has the meaning "deliver" = not eternal salvation but rescue from trouble in time;
4) the word translated "through" is the Greek preposition dia, which, while it can mean "through" in the sense of "by means of", here means, as if often the case, "through" in the sense of "[passing] through" (this is the usual meaning when combined with the verb sozo).
When one puts these facts together with the immediate context of the example of the first woman, Eve, it becomes clear that 1Tim.2:15 is to be related directly to Genesis 3:16, that is, to the curse of pain in childbirth as Eve's part in the judgment for the fall (corresponding to Adam's "thorns and thistles - sweat of the brow" and the serpent's "eat dust - crawl on the belly"):
The woman [Eve] participated in the transgression [of Adam's fall], though she was
deceived. But she [i.e., still here as a type of all women to follow] will be
delivered-safely-through this [painful experience of] childbearing [Gen.3:16] - provided
they [all believing women after Eve's example] prudently abide in faith, and love, and
sanctification.
1st Timothy 2:14b-15
Having in verses 9-14 just "pulled up short" a group women in Corinth who were taking advantage of Timothy's apparent difficulties in asserting his own authority, Paul, in verse 15, finds it necessary to provide a bit of reassurance for all the Corinthian women that the Gen.3:16 curse on women of painful childbirth which he has mentioned to shore up Timothy's position of authority should not occasion fear about having children - for God will protect and deliver-through this experience all those Christian women who are truly following Him – this is real main point behind 1Tim.2:15.
So it is a bit ironic that this verse, meant to encourage sisters in Christ by assuring them of God's concern for them in the matter of childbearing (a potentially frightening thing in the context of Genesis 3:16 when unexplained - especially in the 1st century), has from time to time been a cause for alarm rather than a reassurance.
I hope this is some help to you,
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bob Luginbill
To me it became very simple when I understood what salvation is: salvation from sin.
It simply means that God will use childbearing as a tool of grace to save them from sin. Grace brings salvation though teaching (Titus 2:11). I believe therefore, that 1 Timothy 2:15 is talking about the tools that God uses to affect that salvation. For women, if they remain faithful, childbearing will be a tool by which Grace will teach them to live Godly lives.