A Different Perspective

1 Timothy 2 holds one of the most difficult verses/passages in the bible that has caused controversy, and frustration for people to understand. At a first glance it sounds sexist and outrageous, especially in today's society.

¹¹ A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵ But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. - 1 Timothy 2:11-15

I am not trained and am not well versed with theology, but I found one interpretation of this passage and found it understandable. You can visit the site here. I plan to just share what I got out of the short article and hopefully pick at your brain as well as you attempt to wrap your head around these five verses too.

The writer of the article uses a typological approach to take on these five verses, and they talk about "typing" which to me seems like a literary device of some sort. Basically its similar to foreshadowing. For instance, Adam was type of Christ, or the analogy of marriage was the type for the Christ's relationship with the Church. We should not be looking at this passage as who woman is, but what they represent instead. And here, the type for woman or wife is the Church, while man is the type of Christ.

When we talk about the "Church" we don't mean the physical building, but we are referring to the people of Christ, the community, which includes all of us, male or female. So by looking at the passage again with this lens, the passage seems to be address how we should live and worship our God. In submission, that we are the ones that are deceived by the devil, whereas Christ (represented by Adam) was not.

As for the bit on being saved through child-bearing, it again sounds odd because it sounds like salvation is something we are to earn, but in Philippians 2:12-13, it says we are to work out our salvation, as an active act. The article takes "childbearing" as bearing fruit in Christ, but ultimately when we look at the passage from a bird's eye view, it all comes down to glorifying Christ in what we do, in faith, love and holiness.

Again, the article I had come across, and while reading it, I wasn't sure if this counted as blowing out of perspective and what not, but I just wanted to share one of the many interpretations people have made towards this passage in hope that it will enlighten us and open up our minds to the living Word.

verse of the day: 1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.