1 Timothy 2:15: Saved in Childbearing
2021-09-18
1 Timothy 2:15
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety (1 Timothy 2:15).
This should be seen in the light of the previous verses. The context is the prohibition of women having teaching authority over men within the local church. The story of Adam and Eve is the reason given.
What does it mean to “be saved in childbearing”?
First, we want to remember that every time we see the word “saved,” we should not assume justification-salvation. It can also be sanctification-salvation. Justification is the salvation from the penalty of sin. Sanctification is the salvation from the power of sin. This latter sense is what is meant here.
The first way women are saved in childbearing is how raising children contributes to spiritual growth of the woman. If the women are the ones primarily raising children, a lot of work, teaching, and praying is involved. It is a very difficult job with huge rewards.
Second, since the passage was just reviewing the story of Adam and Eve, we should remember what childbearing meant to them. After they had sinned, they were given the promise of Jesus Christ who would save them from their sins:
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel (Genesis 3:15).
When Eve gave birth to her first son, what was her response? “She conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD” (Genesis 4:1). This was a moment of excitement, because perhaps this son was the savior? The hope of the godly woman is that she would bring forth godly children.
Third, children can be seen in the light of Psalm 127. Psalm 127:1-2 talks about the difficulty of running a household and guard a city. The LORD ultimately does this. He gives us the strength to do this, but it does not stop the job from being difficult.
As a result, the family having children is a reward. One of the many ways they are a reward is helping with the household tasks, which in those days would have been significantly more involved (think flocks, farming, little technology, etc.). Verse 5 speaks of the blessing of having many children. They also shall “speak with the enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:5). The difficulty in guarding a town of keeping a household becomes easier with many children. Godly children are a blessing in a very practical way in this respect.
Fourth, children will take care of widows in their old age. This is seen in 1 Timothy 5:4.
The “saving” is contingent on “if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” The subject “she” is singular, which must mean “children” is the subject of this clause. Godly children support the family, the household, and honor God with their lives.