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Peter once wrote that there are “some things” in Paul’s letters “that are hard to understand” (2 Pet. 3:16), and 1 Timothy 2:15 would surely be among “some things.” Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:15 comprise one of the most difficult verses in the whole New Testament.
Paul said, “Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control” (1 Tim. 2:15).
Can we make some sense of what Paul is saying? Let’s look at the verse carefully, in parts.
She
Who is the “she”? In the previous verse, Paul said “the woman was deceived and became a transgressor” (1 Tim. 2:14), and this was his summary of what happened to Eve in Genesis 3 when the serpent tempted her. There is no independent Greek pronoun at the beginning of 1 Timothy 2:15, so the subject must be implied.
Given the content of the previous verse, the subject at the beginning of 1 Timothy 2:15 is probably “She” or “The/A woman.” But Eve alone is not in view, because later in the verse the plural “they continue” denotes women. Apparently the implied “she” (or “woman”) is representative of women, and the plurality is confirmed by the “they continue” later in the verse.
Will Be Saved
The Greek word for “saved” here can mean rescue from danger, healing from disease, or deliverance from sin. So what does “saved” mean in 1 Timothy 2:15?
One view is that a woman can be “saved” from deception. If 1 Timothy 2:14 says that Eve was deceived, maybe 2:15 is telling us that there is deliverance from deception.
Another view is that a woman will be physically safe through childbearing.
A third possibility is that Paul means spiritual salvation (from sin and judgment).
Which view should we prefer? Most of the time in his letters, Paul uses this word “saved” to mean salvation from sin and judgment. More specifically, in the Pastoral Epistles of 1–2 Timothy and Titus, Paul uses this word “saved” consistently for deliverance from sin and judgment (see 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; 4:18; Titus 3:5).
Even in the very chapter where 1 Timothy 2:15 is found, Paul spoke of God’s desire for all people “to be saved,” and this salvation is from sin and judgment. While the first view (being “saved” from deception) is possible, the pattern of Paul’s use of “saved” is against the idea of being saved from mere deception. Regarding the second view, we know that there are women—even Christian women—who have died in the act of childbearing, so the second view is unlikely.
The language of “will be saved” denotes salvation from sin and judgment. Because Paul emphasizes perseverance (“if they continue”), the promise is about the godly woman’s future salvation. The New Testament authors are comfortable talking about how believers have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved.
Through Childbearing
Some interpreters have translated this part of 1 Timothy 2:15 as “through the childbirth,” referring to the birth of Jesus. Since we know salvation comes through Christ alone, these interpreters contend that “the childbirth” is about Christ’s incarnation and the salvific mission that accompanied it.
The problem with “childbearing” being understood as “the childbirth” is that a messianic interpretation, while clever, is not clear from the immediate context of the verse. In fact, because women are those who can give birth to children, the act of childbearing is probably in view, not a particular childbirth. A messianic reading of 1 Timothy 2:15 appears strained, though possible.
Actual childbearing is the best understanding of “through childbearing” in 1 Timothy 2:15. Paul may be alluding to Genesis 3:16, where God told Eve that he would multiply pain in “childbearing.” The act of childbearing, while joyous in that a new life enters the world, is still marked by the fall. Though the pain of childbearing recalls God’s judgment in Genesis 3:16, there is salvation through judgment.
Childbearing is something only women can do, so Paul is likely identifying a feature of divine design. We must keep in mind that some women will not bear children, and that truth would not be lost on the apostle Paul. But universal childbearing among women is not Paul’s point.
Paul is probably using a literary device called synecdoche, which is when someone means for a part of something to stand for the whole of something. In this case, childbearing is the “part” that represents the “whole.” The “whole” is probably a woman’s obedience to God. Childbearing would be part of the Lord’s design for what women are capable of doing. Rather than rebelling against the Lord’s design, godly women will embrace a life of obedience to the Lord.
Childbearing, then, is a literary device known as synecdoche, by which Paul is pointing to the deeper reality of a godly woman’s heart and life before God. This heart and life posture is confirmed by the remainder of the verse.
If They
The shift from singular to plural establishes that the initial “she” in 1 Timothy 2:15 is not limited to one individual but represented godly women in general, especially the godly women in Ephesus who would be learning the truths contained in this letter.
Continue In Faith
Paul wants the godly women to persevere in the faith they already have. This faith is their trust in Christ. It is genuine faith that will bear fruit.
And Love and Holiness, With Self-Control
These terms at the end of 1 Timothy 2:15 are the fruit of a godly woman’s faith. “Love” would not only be a love of God but a love of others—a love for neighbor and especially a love for fellow believers. “Holiness” refers to a life set apart for God, a life marked by a pursuit of righteousness and purity. “Self-control” is about godly restraint. Because both men and women struggle with sins of the flesh, “self-control” is crucial for godly living.
Summary
Paul is saying to women: there is salvation in Christ for you. Trust Christ and continue in that faith. Persevere in godly living, and bear the fruit of holiness and love. In Christ you have been saved, you are being saved, and you will be saved. Don’t rebel against God’s design for you. Embrace life as a godly woman.
In a culture that says, “Look inside yourself,” look to Christ instead. In a culture that says, “Do what makes you happy,” find your joy in the Lord and in a life of love, holiness, and self-control. Dear godly sisters: keep looking to Christ and walking in obedience.