26 Apr 2011
Quote: Saved in Childbearing
The final verse says: “Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control” (v. 15). A significant part of Eve’s obligation in the marriage relationship was the bearing of children who would be the means by which man would rule over God’s creation. It was essential that Eve embrace motherhood. By fulfilling their roles, Adam and Eve could preserve the order that God created and expect His blessings. Therefore, when the apostle refers to women being “saved in childbearing,” he intends to communicate that women should do what God intends women to do. Paul uses a literary device known as “synecdoche,” in which the part is used to represent the whole. He picks that which uniquely belongs to women, the ability to bear children, and uses it as a figure to represent the whole of a woman’s calling. This does not mean that women should do nothing but have children, nor that woman are regenerated by giving birth. Rather, Paul means that women should not seek to do what God intends men to do: teach and exercise spiritual authority.
–James Bordwine
I’m not so sure that I agreen with this. According to this guy women shouldn’t be able to teach Sunday school or anything. Sorry, but this doesn’t fly with me.
profiles.google.com/10763700117…
April 26th, 2011 at 8:23 ampermalink
The reason I thought that quote was interesting was because I’d never heard anyone else try to explain what Paul meant by “saved in childbearing”, which is a very peculiar phrase. I think it’s quite possible that James Bordwine accurately expressed the idea that Paul was trying to convey.
It’s possible that Paul was saying something else entirely, but this is the best attempt I’ve seen at trying to explain what Paul meant. I do think Paul was trying to say something very similar to this.
joncooper
April 26th, 2011 at 11:54 ampermalink