1 Timothy 2:13–15

Context

1 Timothy is traditionally held to be a letter that Paul sent to Timothy, who had remained in Ephesus, to instruct him on church order. Some modern scholars hold that it was written by one of Paul's disciples after his death. Chapter 2 addresses prayer in public worship (vv. 1–8) and the adornment and learning of women (vv. 9–12). Verses 13–14 draw on Genesis 2–3 to give the reason for verse 12, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man." The reason given is that Adam was formed first and that Eve (rendered "Iwa" in the Korean Revised Version) was deceived and fell into transgression. Verse 15 then adds that she "shall be saved in childbearing." At several points the letter addresses the problem of false teachers in the church at Ephesus (1:3–7; 4:1–3).

Interpretation

Readings of verses 13–14 fall broadly into two groups.

• Reading as a universal principle: The order of creation is regarded as a ground that transcends any particular era. Accordingly, the offices of teaching and governing in the church are understood to have been entrusted to men. Even within this position, the older interpretation that takes verse 14 to mean that women are by nature more easily deceived is today largely rejected. Instead, the verse is often explained as referring to the reversal of order that occurred at the Fall.
• Reading as situational instruction: The passage is regarded as instruction aimed at women in the Ephesian church who had been swept up in false teaching (compare 2 Timothy 3:6). The account of Eve is interpreted as an illustration of the danger of attempting to teach without first having been taught. Accordingly, it is not regarded as a rule prohibiting women from holding office in every age.

Verse 15 has been read in the following ways.

• Messianic birth view: Because the Greek text has the definite article, "the childbearing" is taken to refer to the birth of Christ, the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).
• Preservation view: "To save" (Greek sōzō) is read as "to keep safe." On this reading, the verse speaks of protection from the dangers of childbirth.
• Vocation view: Childbearing is taken as representative of a woman's calling within the home. On this interpretation, the verse refers to a life of faithfully remaining in that calling in faith, charity, and holiness.
• Refutation of false teaching view: The verse is taken as a statement, directed against the false teachers who forbade marriage (4:3), affirming that marriage and childbearing are no obstacle to salvation.

Whatever the reading, there is broad agreement that the verse does not mean that childbearing earns salvation as a meritorious work. In addition, in the Greek text the subject of "shall be saved" is singular, while the subject of "if they continue" is plural. Interpreters therefore also differ on whether that plural subject refers to women or to their children.

Debates and Issues

Together with verse 12, this passage is a central text in the debate over the ordination of women. Denominations that do not ordain women as pastors, such as the Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong), cite the order of creation as a principal ground. Denominations that ordain women, such as the Korean Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), and the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, emphasize the situation of the Ephesian church. They hold that the passage should be read alongside Romans 16:1–7, where Paul mentions his female coworkers, and in light of the oneness of men and women in Christ. The meaning of the verb in verse 12 rendered "usurp authority" (authenteō) is also disputed, because it is a rare word that occurs only once in the New Testament.

In the Korean Church

The passage is frequently cited, together with 1 Corinthians 14:34–35, in discussions of women's ordination at denominational general assemblies and in related theological debates.

Related Passages

• Genesis 2:20–24
• Genesis 3:13
• 1 Corinthians 11:11–12
• 2 Corinthians 11:3
• Galatians 3:26–29