1 Timothy 2:13-15
→Bible→New Testament→1 Timothy
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.
Colin cited verse 13 in his response to our first "reconciliation challenge".
A close reading
Adam first formed, then Eve: NB. she → they.
The logic here is very clear, provided that Eve is to be understood as the archetypal woman, and not at all clear if she is merely our ancestor. What do relationships between women and men have to do with our distant ancestors?
- 1 Timothy 2:15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.
Q. To whom does she refer? and to whom does they refer? How can she be saved by their childbearing?
A. Clearly, the sense of the passage is that she (womanhood in general represented by the archetypal woman, Eve) will somehow be saved by what they (the sisters in Timothy's ecclesia) do in their daily lives!
A contrary view
An AACE discussion paper, however, comments that in this verse "Paul confirms the existence of Adam, Eve and the sin of Genesis 3:6."
Another view
(Please contribute!)
This passage was referenced here (3.1.8) in our responses to the AACE discussion questions.
