Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 2:15

"but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety." — 1 Timothy 2:15 (ASV)

This verse is difficult to explain. Literally, the passage reads: “But she will be saved through the childbirth, if they continue in faith....” The verb “save” (GK 5392) is used in the NT for both physical healing (mostly in the Gospels) and spiritual salvation (mostly in the letters). Perhaps it carries both connotations here. The wife may find both physical health and a higher spiritual state through the experience of bearing and rearing children.

Three interpretations of this verse have been suggested. (1) Since there is a definite article with “childbirth,” some have suggested it refers to the birth of Christ, through whom salvation has come to the world. (2) Closely related to this is the interpretation that connects this statement with Ge 3:15. The seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head and bring salvation to humankind. (3) By begetting children and thus fulfilling the design God appointed for women, a woman will be saved from becoming a prey to the social evils of her day and will take her part in the local church. This third interpretation fits best with the context and the main emphasis of this letter.