Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
Parallel translations
- WEB but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with sobriety.
- KJV Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
- BSB Women, however, will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
- NASB But women will be preserved through childbirth—if they continue in faith, love, and sanctity, with moderation.
- NLT But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Women will be 'saved through childbearing' if they continue in faith, love, and holiness. The exact meaning is debated among faithful interpreters.
Overview
This difficult verse has several faithful readings: that godly women are preserved through the experience of childbearing, that salvation came through 'the childbearing' of the Messiah, or that childbearing represents the sphere of a woman's godly calling. All agree it is not teaching salvation by works, since perseverance 'in faith, love, and sanctification' is in view. Believers should hold this verse humbly given its acknowledged difficulty.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Titus 2:12instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;
- 1 Pet 4:7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
- Gen 3:15–16I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
- 1 Tim 1:5but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;
- 1 Tim 2:9In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;
- Isa 9:6For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Luke 2:10–11The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
- Isa 7:14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
- Matt 1:21–25She shall give birth to a son. You shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
- Luke 2:7She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.
- Jer 31:22How long will you go here and there, you backsliding daughter? for Yahweh has created a new thing in the earth: a woman shall encompass a man.”
- Gal 4:4–5But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law,
- 1 Tim 1:14The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 2:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.