1 Timothy 2:15
What does 1 Timothy 2:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Timothy 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Timothy 2:15 means
This challenging verse holds out hope, not a new method of salvation. Women will be “saved through her child-bearing” not by the physical act itself, but as they walk the path of faith, love, holiness, and self-control. In other words, salvation—already grounded in Christ’s ransom (vv. 5–6)—is worked out in a life that embraces God’s design, often including motherhood, without making it a requirement for every woman. Some see an echo that through childbirth God brought the Savior into the world; certainly, all salvation is through Christ. Either way, the stress falls on persevering faith that bears holy fruit across one’s calling.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but she shall be saved through her child-bearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But if they go on in faith and love and holy self-control, she will be kept safe at the time of childbirth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and she shall be saved through the child-bearing, if they remain in faith, and love, and sanctification, with sobriety.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Yet she shall be saved through child bearing; if she continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But she shall be preserved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with discretion.
Context
Paul closes the section on roles by offsetting potential discouragement. After restricting teaching authority (vv. 11–12) and grounding it in creation and fall (vv. 13–14), he affirms women’s full participation in salvation as they continue in faith and holiness. The reference to childbearing fits the domestic sphere common in that culture while not limiting salvation to mothers. The chapter’s flow has moved from prayer for all, to Christ’s mediation, to ordered worship that displays godliness in both men and women.
v.14and Adam was not beguiled, but the woman being beguiled hath fallen into transgression:
v.15This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 1:21
And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.
- Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:
- Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Genesis 3:15
and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
- 1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;
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