1 Timothy 2:14
What does 1 Timothy 2:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 2:14 means
Paul’s second rationale recalls the fall: Eve was deceived and became a transgressor, whereas Adam sinned with eyes open. He is not declaring women universally more gullible; rather, he cites the historical event to show that disorder in God’s design brought trouble from the beginning. By referencing deception, he underscores the need for careful, qualified instruction to guard the church from error. The point is not to shame Eve but to learn from the narrative: when roles are inverted and God’s word is challenged, harm follows. Therefore, the church’s teaching structure should preserve clarity, humility, and fidelity to God’s order.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Adam was not taken by deceit, but the woman, being tricked, became a wrongdoer.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, having been deceived, into transgression came,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Adam was not seduced; but the woman, being seduced, was in the transgression.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and Adam was not deceived; but the woman, having been deceived, was in transgression.
Context
Continuing the theological basis, Paul adds the fall’s dynamics to the creation order (v. 13) to support his instructions about teaching and authority (vv. 11–12). The cautionary note prepares for the difficult, hopeful statement in verse 15, which affirms women’s salvation and a path of faithful fruitfulness. Thus, the argument moves from role order, to the danger of deception, to a concluding assurance conditioned by persevering faith and holiness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.
- Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
- Genesis 3:12
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
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