But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. - 1 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)
This particular verse presents its own issues with being able to understand its relevance to not only the entire passage, but also in its application to life today. First of all, it is difficult to really know what Paul meant when he said "women will be saved through childbearing". Was Paul talking about a specific childbirth (i.e. the birth of Christ)? Also, why is it that Paul seems to have switched from a singular subject to now a plural subject? Was he talking to Eve specifically or to all of womankind?
In light of our current culture, this verse seems even more confusing. Childbearing, by both men and women today, is often thought of as being burdensome. Some circles have even gone as far as to see the bearing and raising of children as a for of bondage for women. However, when this text was written, childbearing was a central element int he definition of womanhood and in the fulfillment of God's calling to mankind.
As a result, I would like to propose the following interpretation of this passage to be that Paul is saying that women in general will be kept safe from seizing men's roles by participating in marital life (symbolized by childbearing), which should also be accompanied by faith, love, holiness, and propriety. Doing so will produce the adornment of good deeds which are appropriate for Christian women (1 Timothy 2:10).
Hey I have been following up on this verse for my blog and found a different translation. I found that the term childbearing is referring to Christ's original punishment to Eve for sinning. So this is verse is more or less saying that Women are punished through childbearing but Christ will save you from his sin ( he died on the cross, all that stuff) and you will be saved. Does that make sense? I saw things saying what you stated but then i questioned what about people who are unable to have children or are single are they not saved? I am going to continue to research more but thought I would share. Sorry if I am talking in circles.
ReplyDeleteBeth, You are right that the reference to childbirth is from the fall found in Genesis. However, for someone to assume that childbirth is what saves them would be a misinterpretation for a number of reasons. The primary one of which is most obvious from Paul's comments in Romans. Also, it then presents a problem for, as you mentioned, women who cannot have children. That is also why it is important to understand the context for the verse. They must be considered in light of Paul's understanding of the first three chapters of Genesis.
ReplyDeleteSeveral other places throughout Scripture, Paul also references Genesis 1-3 which shed light on his understanding of the passage. Paul's understanding of Genesis was that Adam was formed first (1 Timothy 2:13; Genesis 2:20-22). It is this appeal to Adam's prior formation that is an assertion that Adam's status as the "oldest" carried with it the leadership appropriate to a "first-born" son. This is also seen in Paul's writings in Colossians 1:15-18. Furthermore, Paul's understanding of Genesis is that Eve was taken out of Adam (1 Corinthians 11:8; Genesis 2:21-22), and she was made for Adam's sake (1 Corinthians 11:9; Genesis 2:20).
I believe that the salvation that the curse is referring to is the salvation from stepping outside of God's intended plan, therefore the reference to childbirth is not literal birthing of a child, but rather it is symbolic of the role women play.