Saved in Childbearing...1 Timothy 2:14-15

For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.  Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.--1 Timothy 2:14-15


This verse came up at a Bible study I attend at my church today. I have always loved and been encouraged by John MacArthur's explanation for 1 Timothy 2:15.  Of all the explanations I have read...this one makes the most sense in context.  


By John MacArthur...


That Paul does not have Eve in mind here is clear because the verb translated “will be saved” is future, and he also uses the plural pronoun they. He is talking about women after Eve. will be saved. This is better translated in this context, “will be preserved.” The Greek word can also mean “to rescue,”“to preserve safe and unharmed,” “to heal,” or “to deliver from.” It appears several times in the NT without reference to spiritual salvation (cf. Matt. 8:25; 9:21, 22; 24:22; 27:40, 42, 49; 2 Tim. 4:18).


Paul is not advocating that women are eternally saved from sin through childbearing or that they maintain their salvation by having babies, both of which would be clear contradictions of the NT teaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone (Rom. 3:19, 20) sustained forever (Rom. 8:31–39). Paul is teaching that, even though a woman bears the stigma of being the initial instrument who led the race into sin, it is women through childbearing who may be preserved or freed from that stigma by raising a generation of godly children (cf. 5:10). in childbearing. 


Because mothers have a unique bond and intimacy with their children, and spend far more time with them than fathers do, they have far greater influence in their lives and thus a unique responsibility and opportunity for rearing godly children. While a woman may have led the human race into sin, women have the privilege of leading many out of sin to godliness. Paul is speaking in general terms; God does not want all women to be married (1 Cor. 7:25–40), let alone bear children. 


If they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. The godly appearance, demeanor, and behavior commanded of believing women in the church (vv. 9–12) is motivated by the promise of deliverance from any inferior status and the joy of raising godly children.

E. M. Bounds on Prayer....

"Blessed are the poor in spirit." The word poor means a pauper, one who lives by begging. The real Christian lives on the bounties of another, whose bounties he gets by asking. Prayer then becomes the basis of Christian character, the Christian's business, his life and his living....From praying Christ eliminates all self-sufficiency, all pride, and all spiritual values. The poor in spirit are the praying ones. Beggars are God's princes. They are God's heirs....


Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill: and whosoever shall kill shall he in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall he in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall he in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, thou fool shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar and there rememberest that thy brother has aught against thee: Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first, he reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 

He who essays to pray to God with an angry spirit, with loose and irreverent lips, with an irreconciled heart, and with unsettled neighborly scores, spends his labor for that which is worse than naught, violates the law of prayer, and adds to his sin. How rigidly exacting is Christ's law of prayer! It goes to the heart, and demands that love he enthroned there, love to the brotherhood. The sacrifice of prayer must he seasoned and perfumed with love, by love in the inward parts. The law of prayer, its creator and inspirer, is love...