King James Version

What Does 1 Timothy 2:15 Mean?

1 Timothy 2:15 in the King James Version says “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” — study this verse from 1 Timothy chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

1 Timothy 2:15 · KJV

SalvationFaith

Context

13

For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14

And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

15

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Read 1 Timothy 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing (σωθήσεται δὲ διὰ τῆς τεκνογονίας, sōthēsetai de dia tēs teknogonias)—'yet she will be saved through childbearing.' This is one of Scripture's most debated verses. Sōzō (save) likely doesn't mean eternal salvation by bearing children (contradicting salvation by faith alone), but rather preservation or fulfillment through the role of motherhood. Teknogonia means childbearing, having children.

If they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety (ἐὰν μείνωσιν ἐν πίστει καὶ ἀγάπῃ καὶ ἁγιασμῷ μετὰ σωφροσύνης, ean meinōsin en pistei kai agapē kai hagiasmō meta sōphrosynēs)—'if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control.' The shift from 'she' (singular) to 'they' (plural) suggests Paul is speaking of women generally, not just Eve. Sōphrosynē means self-control, prudence, soundness of mind.

Multiple interpretations exist: (1) women find spiritual purpose/fulfillment in motherhood rather than teaching roles, (2) women are preserved through childbirth's dangers by God's providence, (3) reference to the Messiah's birth (the definite article in Greek—'the childbearing'). All emphasize that godly character and faithfulness matter more than public roles. Women's dignity and salvation aren't found in authority over men but in faithful living within God's design.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In the Ephesian context, false teachers apparently elevated women to inappropriate teaching roles (perhaps influenced by the cult of Artemis, whose female priestesses held authority). Paul corrects this by affirming women's value in their God-given roles—including motherhood—while requiring the same faithfulness all believers need: faith, love, holiness, self-control. The verse addresses specific Ephesian circumstances, not universal theology of women's salvation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse affirm women's dignity and value in motherhood and domestic roles?
  2. Why does Paul emphasize faith, love, holiness, and self-control as essential for all believers?
  3. How do we interpret difficult passages like this faithfully without imposing our cultural assumptions?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
σωθήσεται1 of 15

“she shall be saved”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

δὲ2 of 15

“Notwithstanding”

G1161

but, and, etc

διὰ3 of 15

“in”

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς4 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τεκνογονίας5 of 15

“childbearing”

G5042

childbirth (parentage), i.e., (by implication) maternity (the performance of maternal duties)

ἐὰν6 of 15

“if”

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

μείνωσιν7 of 15

“they continue”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἐν8 of 15

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

πίστει9 of 15

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

καὶ10 of 15

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀγάπῃ11 of 15

“charity”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

καὶ12 of 15

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἁγιασμῷ13 of 15

“holiness”

G38

properly, purification, i.e., (the state) purity; concretely (by hebraism) a purifier

μετὰ14 of 15

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

σωφροσύνης·15 of 15

“sobriety”

G4997

soundness of mind, i.e., (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self-control

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Timothy 2:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Timothy 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Titus 2:121 Peter 4:7Genesis 3:15-161 Timothy 1:51 Timothy 2:9Isaiah 9:6

Test Your Knowledge

1 Timothy 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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