Saved in Childbearing?
Question
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” (1 Timothy 2:15) Good morning brother Dan, could you please explain this Bible verse when you get a chance, thanks! (Fred Detwiler, Harleysville, PA)
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
There are three questions we should keep in mind when interpreting I Timothy 2:15:
1. What is the context of Paul’s remarks?
2. What is the nature of the “salvation” in view?
3. Who is intended by the pronoun “they” in this text?
Let’s briefly examine those questions to see if it helps us unlock the meaning of this passage of scripture.
CONTEXT
Paul begins this chapter with an exhortation to pray for all manner of men, not merely those of the lowly and common sort but also “kings… and all that are in authority.” (v2). He goes on to point out that some of God’s people are found among these as well and that Christ is the one mediator and that this saving mediation will be fully attested in due time (v3-8). From there he trains his attention on women in the church and directs them with respect to their ADORNMENT and SUBMISSION.
REGARDING ADORNMENT, Paul commandeers the natural tendency toward emphasizing external appearance and seeks to redirect that energy toward godly living as one’s primary adornment. To paraphrase Paul’s point, one might say, “I see that you put a lot of effort into making yourself attractive. How much energy do you put into doing good works and serving the Lord with your life? Should you not spend your energy in the latter pursuit more so than the former?” It is a call for women to keep their natural inclinations toward vain and superficial activities in check and to think instead about living a life that is adorned with good works that glorify God.
REGARDING SUBMISSION, Paul makes clear in no uncertain terms that women are to learn in silence and are not permitted to teach in the assembly (v11-12). This is not hard to understand. It is just hard for people raised on a steady diet of modern feminism and “women and men are equal” pop-culture to accept. Many try to marginalize Paul’s commentary by limiting it to the particulars of that culture at that time. But Paul’s own explanation eliminates that possibility, because he bases his admonition on a universal precept that stems from the fall and which subsequently affects ALL women across time (v13-14). In other words, he’s not saying, “Because of the way that Greeks do things around here, we shouldn’t let women teach.” He is saying, “Eve was deceived in the fall, and this speaks to a dangerous proclivity for spiritual deception that is uniquely possessed by women to such an extent that they are prohibited from the role of teaching in the assembly.” Again, this is not difficult to understand. It is just hard for most people in our time to accept. When I have taught this truth in the past, I have felt the need to soften it with a host of caveats like admissions of the faults of men and extolling the laudable attributes of women. With the benefit of time and experience, I prefer to simply declare this truth with great plainness of speech and allow the jarring thud of the word of God to have its full effect in conforming us to God’s revealed will in the spirit of, “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4)
SALVATION
Having examined the context, let’s look at the “salvation” that is in view here. Two compelling reasons why this “salvation” is not eternal salvation seem important:
Tying the eternal salvation of a women to the bearing of children is clearly a form of works-based righteousness. Indeed, what woman brings a child into the world without laboring.
The woman’s salvation in this text is tied to the behavior of her children. Clearly this cannot be eternal salvation. Who would teach that “you’ll go to heaven if your children behave?” More on that in a minute…
As a result, we conclude that Paul is speaking of a salvation or temporal deliverance that comes uniquely into a women’s life as she adorns her life with good works and practices submission in learning in the Lord’s New Testament church. It is implicit that this example is on display for her children as part of their rearing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord that subsequently bears fruit in their lives.
THEY
The text says that “she (singular) shall be saved if they (plural) continue.” Again, this cannot possibly mean that a woman’s eternal destiny is determined by the righteousness performed by her children. Yet there is some salvation or deliverance in view that women may experience when their children grow up to walk in gospel obedience. I believe this experience is captured by the apostle John when he said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (III John 1:4) Any Christian mother who longs to see her children become disciples of the Lord and experience the joys of His house is troubled when their children fail to do so. It pains them to view the empty seats they long to see their children occupy. Every mother in that situation will tell you that seeing their children join and serve the Lord in the church would be a great deliverance, saving them from the worry and sorrow that they currently experience.
FINALLY
Far from downgrading the importance of a mother’s role in the church, Paul exalts a mother’s example of living in accordance with the word of God in a way that is contrary to common practice in our time as an important means of establishing subsequent generations in the faith once delivered to the saints.
- Elder Daniel Samons