“What’s your understanding of a woman ‘shall be saved in childbearing’ (1 Tim. 2:15)?”

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety” (1 Tim. 2:15).

When Paul says women “shall be saved in childbearing,” what is she “saved” from? In the verses prior to 15, Paul is dealing with women needing to be subject to their husbands. So, it is no surprise that most explanations center on that issue.

However, I believe we need to understand that in these verses, Paul not only spoke of her being subject to her husband (her position) but also of her limitation of teaching men (v. 12). Being limited to whom you can teach can affect your area of influence. Thus, the issue Paul addresses involves not only her position in the home but also her influence. Today we see the enormous effect teachers are having on the world; much of it lately has not been good. The world incorrectly sees the Scripture’s call for women not to teach men as removing her voice. But God is doing no such thing.

It seems to me that verse 15 is a word of encouragement regarding the woman being subject to her husband and her limitation on teaching. Whatever explanation we come to should fit that criterion; it should serve to edify and encourage the woman about her role and her influence.

I believe Paul is saying women will be saved in childbearing because, though they are to submit to their husbands and may not teach men, she will be the one to “guide the house” (1 Tim. 5:14). A godly Proverbs 31 woman “looketh well to the ways of her household” (v. 27), because, “every wise woman buildeth her house” (Prov. 14:1).

God has given the woman the position of the primary influence and teacher of children; because of that, she will have a voice. Her position and influence “shall be saved in childbearing” because a mom will always be able to influence the next generation of men by teaching the current generation of boys. The woman will not be brushed aside but will be able to influence her home and the world. She will teach the world through her children.

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.