Subtitle: "She will be Saved through Childbearing"
- Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; ... 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing (1Tim. 2:11-15)
"She will be Saved . . .". This is the common term for salvation. Paul used it four times in Timothy:
". . . Through". Prepositions reveal how the action of a verb is accomplished. If the object is “water” and the verb is “go,” the preposition will reveal how. Hence we could go into, through, under, around, in, out, above or over water. It is a simple matter for our mind to move from one direction to another based entirely on the preposition. In this passage, the Greek preposition “through” expresses the relationship between childbearing and salvation.
“Through” is “a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act” (Strong’s), which “when followed by the genitive case, is instrumental” (Vine’s), “the instrument used to accomplish a thing” (Thayer). Hence a woman is saved “through the instrument of” childbearing. Childbearing is the “channel of the act by which” salvation is accomplished.
". . . Childbearing". As one studies the word translated “childbearing,” we learn it is more than just bringing a child into the world. It is also working with the children she bore to serve and know God: “Bearing of children, rearing of a family” (Harper’s Analytical); “childbirth (parentage), (by implication) maternity (the performance of maternal duties)” (Strong’s); “denotes “bearing children,” implying the duties of motherhood” (Vine’s) “all the duties of the maternal relation, the faithful performance of her duties as a mother.” (Robinson’s Lexicon).
The instructions in Scripture also verify this. Older women are to “train the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home (homemakers-NKJV), kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:4-5), “the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house(rule the household-ASV keep house-NASB) give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully (1Tim. 5:14). The worthy woman “watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her” (Pr. 31:27-28).
A Sacred Trust. The sacred trust between God and the parents of a child is an awesome thing to contemplate. Children are the future, the next generation to shoulder the responsibilities of life. They are the church, the nation and the family of tomorrow. God created man and woman and made them one in marriage to fulfill this sacred stewardship of training children. “But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth." (Mal. 2:15). God knew when a man fulfilled his role as husband/father and woman fulfilled her role as wife/mother the result would be “godly offspring.” While the man has many duties, the woman is “saved through childbearing.” For the father, the responsibility to teach his children must be balanced with providing for the family, and spending many hours away from home. Some fathers were also priests, kings, or prophets. Today, fathers must provide for their family. Some are preachers, elders, deacons, teachers etc.
It was God’s plan that men work with the present generation, balancing their time between the needs of their family and the needs of the lost, the weak, the erring and the needy. The woman however is to be the worker at home, ruling the household, saved in her childbearing and maternal duties as a mother. Her focus is on the future generation. While her husband is solving the problems of today, she is solving the problems of tomorrow.
Timothy. Paul reminded Timothy about how his own mother and grandmother had completed this task. “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (2Tim. 1:5-6). “and that from childhood (babe-ASV) you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim. 3:15). Timothy’s father was a Greek, who did not even allow him to be circumcised. The training Timothy received was primarily from mother and grandmother.
While men are working with their children, there are times it will be limited by other pressing duties. Women also have many other duties, but the primary focus of the work that will lead to her salvation is the mother preparing the future generation to serve the Lord. That is what Timothy’s mother and grandmother were doing and it greatly helped Paul that Timothy was so prepared.
Who could think that the work women are doing preparing for the future generation is less important than the men who are working with the present generation? Though women are forbidden to take dominion with the present generation, they are in no way limited with their children. A mother can lead singing, pray, preach, teach and take dominion in her home with her children (rule her household). All the commands regarding working the children are a shared responsibility between the father and the mother. But while the father may have other duties that limit his efforts from time to time, the mother is to give these things her full attention.
Moses. Thus a woman in submission to her husband is primarily engaged in these duties. She does everything she can to nurture and help the children, so her husband can fulfill any other duties. Moses situation is a classic example of the power of the early home life created by his mother.
The account begins: “So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him. Moses’ sister later spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter, then “went and called the child's mother.” When Moses’ mother arrived Pharaoh’s daughter charged her to take “this child away and nurse him for me,” “so the woman took the child and nursed him.” Then “the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter.”
Clearly the main character in Moses’ early life was his mother. His father Amram did what he could, but was likely busy as a slave in Egypt. After Moses was taken from his mother, “Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds” (Ex. 2:1-10 Acts 7:21-22). It is doubtful these idolaters who were charged by Pharaoh to kill the infants in Israel gave Moses much good information about Israel or God. Yet “when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren” and he then “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:23-26).
How did he learn these things? The most plausible answer is that like Timothy, the faith of Moses had first dwelt in the heart of his mother and then in him. Because Moses’ mother was actively involved in childbearing (and doing her maternal duties), Moses knew his brethren were the children of Israel. He knew about the reward, and the value of suffering affliction with the people of God. All the good Moses accomplished in his life started when “she hid him,” and continued as “she nursed him.”
". . . If they continue in faith and love and holiness with sobriety." Just as important as the childbearing are the four qualities all Christians must possess regardless of the work they do for salvation. Faithful elders, preachers and teachers must also possess them. All are saved by grace through faith, and all must be done in love, which is the greatest of all commands as the entire Law descends from it (Eph. 2:9-10; 1Cor. 13; Mt. 22:34-40). Without faith it is impossible to please God. We must be holy as He is holy, living a life of sanctification and honor. The sobriety spoken of here is the same word Paul earlier when he said “women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.” (1Tim. 2:9).
No work is more important than the foundation that makes salvation possible. Salvation is given by the grace of God to those who trust and obey, doing all things in love, seeking the holiness without which no one will see the Lord and the self-control and clear thinking that puts God above all else.
Conclusion. All Christians have work. We are all stewards. Our work is based on our ability and the gifts God gave us. The work of women is in preparing the church, nation and family for the future. When women are faithful in this stewardship, God will have servants in the generations to come.
- “Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1:15).
- God “desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (2:3-4).
- “Yet she will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control” (2:15).
- “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (4:16).
". . . Through". Prepositions reveal how the action of a verb is accomplished. If the object is “water” and the verb is “go,” the preposition will reveal how. Hence we could go into, through, under, around, in, out, above or over water. It is a simple matter for our mind to move from one direction to another based entirely on the preposition. In this passage, the Greek preposition “through” expresses the relationship between childbearing and salvation.
“Through” is “a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act” (Strong’s), which “when followed by the genitive case, is instrumental” (Vine’s), “the instrument used to accomplish a thing” (Thayer). Hence a woman is saved “through the instrument of” childbearing. Childbearing is the “channel of the act by which” salvation is accomplished.
". . . Childbearing". As one studies the word translated “childbearing,” we learn it is more than just bringing a child into the world. It is also working with the children she bore to serve and know God: “Bearing of children, rearing of a family” (Harper’s Analytical); “childbirth (parentage), (by implication) maternity (the performance of maternal duties)” (Strong’s); “denotes “bearing children,” implying the duties of motherhood” (Vine’s) “all the duties of the maternal relation, the faithful performance of her duties as a mother.” (Robinson’s Lexicon).
The instructions in Scripture also verify this. Older women are to “train the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home (homemakers-NKJV), kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:4-5), “the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house(rule the household-ASV keep house-NASB) give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully (1Tim. 5:14). The worthy woman “watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her” (Pr. 31:27-28).
A Sacred Trust. The sacred trust between God and the parents of a child is an awesome thing to contemplate. Children are the future, the next generation to shoulder the responsibilities of life. They are the church, the nation and the family of tomorrow. God created man and woman and made them one in marriage to fulfill this sacred stewardship of training children. “But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth." (Mal. 2:15). God knew when a man fulfilled his role as husband/father and woman fulfilled her role as wife/mother the result would be “godly offspring.” While the man has many duties, the woman is “saved through childbearing.” For the father, the responsibility to teach his children must be balanced with providing for the family, and spending many hours away from home. Some fathers were also priests, kings, or prophets. Today, fathers must provide for their family. Some are preachers, elders, deacons, teachers etc.
It was God’s plan that men work with the present generation, balancing their time between the needs of their family and the needs of the lost, the weak, the erring and the needy. The woman however is to be the worker at home, ruling the household, saved in her childbearing and maternal duties as a mother. Her focus is on the future generation. While her husband is solving the problems of today, she is solving the problems of tomorrow.
Timothy. Paul reminded Timothy about how his own mother and grandmother had completed this task. “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” (2Tim. 1:5-6). “and that from childhood (babe-ASV) you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Tim. 3:15). Timothy’s father was a Greek, who did not even allow him to be circumcised. The training Timothy received was primarily from mother and grandmother.
While men are working with their children, there are times it will be limited by other pressing duties. Women also have many other duties, but the primary focus of the work that will lead to her salvation is the mother preparing the future generation to serve the Lord. That is what Timothy’s mother and grandmother were doing and it greatly helped Paul that Timothy was so prepared.
Who could think that the work women are doing preparing for the future generation is less important than the men who are working with the present generation? Though women are forbidden to take dominion with the present generation, they are in no way limited with their children. A mother can lead singing, pray, preach, teach and take dominion in her home with her children (rule her household). All the commands regarding working the children are a shared responsibility between the father and the mother. But while the father may have other duties that limit his efforts from time to time, the mother is to give these things her full attention.
- “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deut 6:6-7
- We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done. 5 For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children; 6 That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, 7 That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; Ps 78:4-7
Moses. Thus a woman in submission to her husband is primarily engaged in these duties. She does everything she can to nurture and help the children, so her husband can fulfill any other duties. Moses situation is a classic example of the power of the early home life created by his mother.
The account begins: “So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him. Moses’ sister later spoke to Pharaoh’s daughter, then “went and called the child's mother.” When Moses’ mother arrived Pharaoh’s daughter charged her to take “this child away and nurse him for me,” “so the woman took the child and nursed him.” Then “the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter.”
Clearly the main character in Moses’ early life was his mother. His father Amram did what he could, but was likely busy as a slave in Egypt. After Moses was taken from his mother, “Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds” (Ex. 2:1-10 Acts 7:21-22). It is doubtful these idolaters who were charged by Pharaoh to kill the infants in Israel gave Moses much good information about Israel or God. Yet “when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren” and he then “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:23-26).
How did he learn these things? The most plausible answer is that like Timothy, the faith of Moses had first dwelt in the heart of his mother and then in him. Because Moses’ mother was actively involved in childbearing (and doing her maternal duties), Moses knew his brethren were the children of Israel. He knew about the reward, and the value of suffering affliction with the people of God. All the good Moses accomplished in his life started when “she hid him,” and continued as “she nursed him.”
". . . If they continue in faith and love and holiness with sobriety." Just as important as the childbearing are the four qualities all Christians must possess regardless of the work they do for salvation. Faithful elders, preachers and teachers must also possess them. All are saved by grace through faith, and all must be done in love, which is the greatest of all commands as the entire Law descends from it (Eph. 2:9-10; 1Cor. 13; Mt. 22:34-40). Without faith it is impossible to please God. We must be holy as He is holy, living a life of sanctification and honor. The sobriety spoken of here is the same word Paul earlier when he said “women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation.” (1Tim. 2:9).
No work is more important than the foundation that makes salvation possible. Salvation is given by the grace of God to those who trust and obey, doing all things in love, seeking the holiness without which no one will see the Lord and the self-control and clear thinking that puts God above all else.
Conclusion. All Christians have work. We are all stewards. Our work is based on our ability and the gifts God gave us. The work of women is in preparing the church, nation and family for the future. When women are faithful in this stewardship, God will have servants in the generations to come.