Bible Questions and Answers

1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

In context Paul is referring to the deception of Eve in Eden.

The reference to being saved through childbearing is to the promise given in the cursing of the serpent; that the seed of the woman would bruise its head.

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

The serpent is made a metaphor for the consequences of its deception. The consequences being sin and death brought upon Adam and Eve and their progeny. In the metaphor the woman would bear a son who would provide a way of salvation from sin and death and thus ‘destroy the serpent’ by bruising its head.

Man played no part in the birth of the promised seed because his Father was God. Thus, salvation came through the childbearing of the woman.

Her seed was Christ, who did no sin, gave his life a ransom for many, and was raised from the dead.

Those who believe the gospel and are baptised into him are saved ‘if they continue in faith and charity (love) and holiness with sobriety (self control)’.

It cannot mean that a woman who has ‘put on’ Christ will not die in childbirth, because being ‘in Christ’ does not give us protection from the evils of this life. We do not have protection from disease, accidents, wars and natural disasters to which all living are subject. This life is but temporary and we must needs die. Our hope is fixed on the life to come when Christ will return to raise us from the dead and establish the kingdom of God.

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn