1 Timothy 2:15

in childbearing R.V. gives the exact force of the Greek through the childbearing, and leaves unsettled which particular interpretation is correct (1) the A.V. -in childbearing," the preposition rendering merely the circumstances, cf. Romans 4:11 -in uncircumcision";

or (2) the margin of R.V. -through her childbearing": -her child-bearing which is her curse may be her highest blessing, as with man's doom, labour; her domestic life and duties, the sphere of woman's mission, St Paul lays great stress on good works, the performance of the common duties of life, in opposition to the irregularities of the times; and yet adds the necessary previous condition "if they abide in faith" "; so Conybeare;

or (3) -through the Childbearing the Incarnation of Christ," an early interpretation quoted by Theophylact, and also given in the Ancient Catena recently recovered and published by Dr Cramer, and supported by Hammond, Ellicott and Wordsworth, on the grounds (a) that the parallel passage in 1 Corinthians 11:8-12 closes with a reference to the Incarnation, (b) that in speaking of the transgression and sentence it was in itself natural and appropriate to speak of the sustaining prophecy, (c) that -saved" and -through" both gain in fulness of force.

On the whole (2) seems most probable, this -childbearing" being singled out from among the -good works" of 1 Timothy 2:10. Compare ch. 1 Timothy 5:13-14, where the younger widows are urged not to be -idle" (lit. -workless") or -busybodies" (lit. -prying into the work of others") but to -marry, bear children, rule the household"; and note that the verb there and the noun here for childbearing occur nowhere else in N.T. This thought of -work" woman's proper work lasts on then to the end of the chapter, and gives the natural transition to other work, the -good work" of a bishop in chap. 3.

if they continue i.e. women, from -the woman" of 1 Timothy 2:14; the aorist tense implies -continue stedfastly."

faith and charity and holiness Rather as R.V. love and sanctification, the form of the latter word implying a process of repeated acts: so -doubting" above, the harbouring of doubt upon doubt. The fundamental idea of the Greek noun is -separation and, so to speak, consecration and devotion to the service of the Deity"; Trench, N. T. Syn., p. 316. Cf. 2 Timothy 1:9, -called us with a holy calling." -But the thought lies very near that what is set apart from the world and to God should separate itself from the world s defilements and should share in God's purity." Hence the appropriateness of its being linked here with -sobriety" so as to recal the feminine modesty and purity of 1 Timothy 2:9. Cf. Westcott, Hebrews 10:10 -the initial consecration and the progressive hallowing."