1 Timothy 2 15

1 Timothy 2:15 kjv

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

1 Timothy 2:15 nkjv

Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

1 Timothy 2:15 niv

But women will be saved through childbearing?if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:15 esv

Yet she will be saved through childbearing ? if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

1 Timothy 2:15 nlt

But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

1 Timothy 2 verses

1 Timothy 2 15 Meaning

1 Timothy 2:15 declares that a woman will be saved through childbearing, provided she and others remain steadfast in faith, love, and holiness with self-control. This verse is deeply connected to the preceding discussion of women's roles in the church, referencing the original creation and the Fall (1 Tim 2:13-14). The most robust interpretation of "saved through childbearing" points to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the "seed" born of a woman, through whom salvation comes to all believers. Alternatively, it can signify salvation through women embracing their God-ordained role and spiritual fidelity, particularly in contrast to doctrines that might devalue marriage or procreation.

1 Timothy 2 15 Context

The immediate context of 1 Timothy 2:15 begins with Paul's instructions regarding church order, focusing on prayer for all people (vv. 1-8). He then addresses women's conduct in corporate worship, encouraging modesty, quiet learning, and prohibiting them from having authority over men or teaching (vv. 9-12). Paul grounds these instructions in the created order and the historical Fall, stating, "For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor" (vv. 13-14). Verse 15 directly follows this explanation, offering a path to "salvation" despite the woman's role in the Fall, moving from the singular "she" (Eve or womankind) to the plural "they" (Christian women). The broader context of 1 Timothy is Paul's pastoral instruction to Timothy in Ephesus, combating false doctrines (potentially ascetic and anti-creational ideas, like prohibiting marriage or certain foods - see 1 Tim 4:1-3) and establishing proper order and sound teaching within the church.

1 Timothy 2 15 Word Analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a contrast or a transition from the previous negative statement about the woman's deception and transgression.
• she (αὐτὴ - autē): Refers to "the woman" from verse 14 (Eve, or by extension, womankind/female gender). The immediate reference to Eve grounds the discussion in the foundational biblical narrative.
• will be saved (σωθήσεται - sōthēsetai): Future passive indicative of σῴζω (sōzō). This refers to a state of being rescued or preserved. While it can mean eternal salvation (common in Pauline theology), its specific usage here in connection with "childbearing" requires careful interpretation. It could imply spiritual salvation, deliverance from the consequences of the Fall, or even physical preservation.
• through (διὰ - dia): A preposition meaning "through," "by means of," or "on account of." This signifies the instrumental means by which salvation is accomplished.
• childbearing (τεκνογονίας - teknogonias): The act of bearing children. This word specifically denotes giving birth and, by extension, the raising of offspring. This is the crux of the interpretational challenge.
  • Interpretation 1: Christological View: "Through the Childbearing" refers to the specific, singular act of childbearing that brought forth Jesus Christ. This directly connects to Gen 3:15 ("her offspring") and aligns salvation through Christ as the sole means of redemption from sin and the Fall's effects (Lk 1:35, Gal 4:4). This is a prevalent and biblically cohesive interpretation.
  • Interpretation 2: Role-fulfillment View: It means that women are saved or preserved (in a spiritual or social sense) by embracing their God-given role, including motherhood, in contrast to cultural pressures or false teachings that might deny marriage or procreation (1 Tim 4:3).
  • Interpretation 3: Godly Motherhood: Women are spiritually preserved as they faithfully engage in the sacred task of raising children in a godly manner. This emphasizes the spiritual dimension of a woman's calling.
• if (ἐὰν - ean): A conditional conjunction, introducing a dependent clause that sets a condition for the main clause.
• they continue (μείνωσιν - meinōsin): A change from singular "she" to plural "they," which strongly suggests that the salvation of "the woman" (humanity or Eve) is made real or effective through the continuing, active faith of individual Christian women within the church (Eph 2:8-9, Jas 2:26). It indicates perseverance in the specified virtues.
• in faith (πίστει - pistei): Trust in God and adherence to Christian doctrine; a foundational virtue for salvation.
• love (ἀγάπῃ - agapē): Unconditional, selfless, divine love; a hallmark of Christian character (1 Jn 4:7-8).
• and holiness (ἁγιασμῷ - hagiasmō): A state of being set apart for God; spiritual purity and dedication; sanctification (Heb 12:14).
• with self-control (σωφροσύνῃ - sōphrosynē): Soundness of mind, prudence, discipline, moderation, discretion. This virtue directly connects to Paul's earlier admonition for women's conduct and dress in the assembly (1 Tim 2:9).

1 Timothy 2 15 Bonus Section

• The verse combats any Gnostic or ascetic tendencies prevalent in Ephesus that might have despised marriage or procreation, implying that participating in these God-ordained functions, when done with godly character, aligns with Christian living and a correct understanding of salvation.
• The phrase links back to God's decree for women in Genesis 3:16 following the Fall, showing that even amidst the consequences, God's plan of redemption unfolds and grants women dignity and purpose through spiritual fidelity, especially centered on Christ.
• This verse underscores that women, while given particular roles or limitations in some areas of church function, are nevertheless fully equal recipients of God's salvation through Christ, which is always conditioned on faith and a lifestyle that reflects that faith (Eph 2:8-10, Jas 2:17).

1 Timothy 2 15 Commentary

1 Timothy 2:15, following Paul's reference to Eve's deception, is not presenting an alternative path to salvation apart from Christ but rather elaborating on how redemption from the Fall's curse, particularly for womankind, finds its culmination and expression. The most biblically satisfying interpretation understands "through childbearing" (διὰ τεκνογονίας) as a specific reference to the singular birth of "the Seed"—Jesus Christ—who descended from a woman, fulfilling the protoevangelium of Genesis 3:15. In this view, "she" (humanity, represented by Eve, the mother of all living) is saved, effectively, through the "childbearing event" that brought forth the Redeemer. The subsequent condition, "if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control," then personalizes this salvation, making it applicable to individual women. It emphasizes that while salvation is secured by Christ's unique birth, it is appropriated and evidenced through the consistent and godly living of believing women, who are to embrace lives of Christian virtue as a testimony to their salvation. This contrasts with any ascetic or ungodly teaching that might denigrate marriage, family, or the physical body. It underscores that God values marriage and childbearing as legitimate, good, and blessed aspects of human life.