1 Timothy 2:13-15 - Adam and Eve and childbirth

2:13,14

Paul then gives a theological reason for his instructions in the preceding verses. The appeal to the creation account could be taken as implying that the instructions are indeed meant to be universal. Adam was formed first, and Eve was the one who was originally deceived by Satan. By the way, this does not mean that Adam is any less guilty. He did not have to follow any of his wife’s instructions, but he chose to do so. Moreover, Paul talks about fallen mankind as being “in Adam”. So that is cut and dried then, women must not preach or have authority over a man. Well things aren’t quite so cut and dried. In 1 Cor 11:1-5, and elsewhere, women are allowed to prophecy. In Genesis 21:12 God tells Abraham to listen to his wife. Deborah was a prophet and leader of Israel (Judges 4). In 2 Kings 22:14-20 the prophetess Huldah instructed the king. Women told the disciples that Jesus was risen (Mark 16:7). In Paul’s instructions on head covering  (1 Cor 11:2-16) he refers to creation, yet hardly any churches consider this to be a lasting direct ordnance.

So where does that leave us? As I said in my longer discourse on the matter, one can use scripture to support either position. I think at least part of the problem is that take a legalistic approach to the matter, whether it be “women must not be elders or preach”, or “women must be allowed to preach”.  Maybe it is a bit like the Sabbath. There are far stronger grounds from the Old Testament for saying that Sabbath observance is necessary, than there is for women not being elders or being allowed to preach. Yet we see the Pharisees and teachers of the Law took a legalistic approach to the matter and were lambasted by Jesus for doing so. For they had totally lost the plot, had lost all sight of God’s intention. We can so easily do the same in the matter of men and women’s roles in the church. Men and women are equal but different, and we complement each other, and in right relationship bring out the best in each other. I don’t think this precludes women from preaching, nor in sharing in leadership, but if there is no male leadership, or very little of it, then we are in big trouble.

2:15

Ah, onto safer ground now. If only! Though at least there is much more agreement on this verse, but the agreement is generally that no one has a clue what Paul is on about! There are several weird and wonderful explanations of what Paul means. These include:

• Women will get safely through childbirth.
• Childbearing or looking after children save women in a spiritual sense.
• The childbearing refers to Mary giving birth to the Messiah.
• A woman will be saved even though she must bear children.

Perhaps the fourth is the most likely. Ie although the childbearing role of a woman clearly has an enormous impact on her life, if she continues in “faith, love and holiness” she will be saved. Not just “salvation saved” but also in the sense of being a “fulfilled woman of God”. Part of the problem of our society is that it wants to deny the importance and effect of bearing and bringing up children.