1 Timothy 2:15

Authorized King James Version

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Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Original Language Analysis

σωθήσεται she shall be saved G4982
σωθήσεται she shall be saved
Strong's: G4982
Word #: 1 of 15
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
δὲ Notwithstanding G1161
δὲ Notwithstanding
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 15
but, and, etc
διὰ in G1223
διὰ in
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 3 of 15
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς G3588
τῆς
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τεκνογονίας childbearing G5042
τεκνογονίας childbearing
Strong's: G5042
Word #: 5 of 15
childbirth (parentage), i.e., (by implication) maternity (the performance of maternal duties)
ἐὰν if G1437
ἐὰν if
Strong's: G1437
Word #: 6 of 15
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
μείνωσιν they continue G3306
μείνωσιν they continue
Strong's: G3306
Word #: 7 of 15
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
ἐν in G1722
ἐν in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 8 of 15
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
πίστει faith G4102
πίστει faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 9 of 15
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 10 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀγάπῃ charity G26
ἀγάπῃ charity
Strong's: G26
Word #: 11 of 15
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἁγιασμῷ holiness G38
ἁγιασμῷ holiness
Strong's: G38
Word #: 13 of 15
properly, purification, i.e., (the state) purity; concretely (by hebraism) a purifier
μετὰ with G3326
μετὰ with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 14 of 15
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
σωφροσύνης· sobriety G4997
σωφροσύνης· sobriety
Strong's: G4997
Word #: 15 of 15
soundness of mind, i.e., (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control

Analysis & Commentary

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing (σωθήσεται δὲ διὰ τῆς τεκνογονίας, sōthēsetai de dia tēs teknogonias)—'yet she will be saved through childbearing.' This is one of Scripture's most debated verses. Sōzō (save) likely doesn't mean eternal salvation by bearing children (contradicting salvation by faith alone), but rather preservation or fulfillment through the role of motherhood. Teknogonia means childbearing, having children.

If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety (ἐὰν μείνωσιν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ καὶ ἁγιασμῷ μετὰ σωφροσύνης, ean meinōsin en pistei kai agapē kai hagiasmō meta sōphrosynēs)—'if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control.' The shift from 'she' (singular) to 'they' (plural) suggests Paul is speaking of women generally, not just Eve. Sōphrosynē means self-control, prudence, soundness of mind.

Multiple interpretations exist:

  1. women find spiritual purpose/fulfillment in motherhood rather than teaching roles
  2. women are preserved through childbirth's dangers by God's providence
  3. reference to the Messiah's birth (the definite article in Greek—'the childbearing').

All emphasize that godly character and faithfulness matter more than public roles. Women's dignity and salvation aren't found in authority over men but in faithful living within God's design.

Historical Context

In the Ephesian context, false teachers apparently elevated women to inappropriate teaching roles (perhaps influenced by the cult of Artemis, whose female priestesses held authority). Paul corrects this by affirming women's value in their God-given roles—including motherhood—while requiring the same faithfulness all believers need: faith, love, holiness, self-control. The verse addresses specific Ephesian circumstances, not universal theology of women's salvation.

Questions for Reflection