Saved when you give birth.

If ever there was a verse you wished you never picked out of the Bible promise box then it is this one, especially if you’re a man.

“But womenwill be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” (1 Timothy 2 v 15)

What does it mean?

I don’t think anyone can say they know. Other than Paul and Timothy and the 1^st century readers.

• It can’t mean the gospel salvation, for Paul believed that is not by works but by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• He was addressing some false teaching that was creeping into the church and perhaps it was around childbirth.
• It can’t mean that women will be physically saved, important for ancient times and some tribal areas of the world today, but it can’t mean that surely, so many have died in childbirth.

Some would point to the major deity of Ephesus being Artemis who had a temple which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was believed that Artemis had the power to bring about new life and also to take life away. She was also seen as the midwife who helped women during childbirth. They think that Paul was addressing those women tempted to call on Artemis during their childbirth for her help. Therefore Paul was emphasising that their safety came through faith in Christ and not calling on a false god. It fits but it is speculation because Paul never mentions Artemis in his letter to Timothy.

What can it mean? (I’m asking myself!)

Remember this: “To the woman God said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.’ Genesis 3:16.

The curse of sin was pronounced on Adam and he would have to work hard by the sweat of his brow and Eve’s curse would be in her childbearing. The pain of childbearing reminded every generation of the sin of Eve and Adam. Can you imagine this curse continuing for generations before all the amazing pain-killing medicines of today? Can you imagine all the women through the centuries who just felt God was against them. Can you imagine them cursing Eve? God must just hate them. How can He be their Saviour?

Is that it? Is that what Paul is saying? He certainly had Eve in mind in his previous sentences (see previous verses of v13-14).

If so then Paul is saying there is hope. The pain isn’t the final word from God to women. God saves women. They will be saved through the curse. The curse doesn’t win. But the women need to turn to the Saviour Jesus Christ (maybe that equates to ‘if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety’)

Maybe. It certainly is the gospel.