They say that a woman is saved by bearing children, which means that childless women will not be saved

They say that a woman is saved by bearing children, which means that childless women will not be saved

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They say that a woman is saved by bearing children, which means that childless women will not be saved

In fact

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From the point of view of the Church, such an opinion is deeply erroneous. Many Orthodox women inherited not only salvation, but also the highest holiness, without being mothers. It is enough to recall at least the story of the Venerable Mary of Egypt to be convinced of the complete untenability of such a view. The famous harlot indulged in debauchery for seventeen years, then she repented and spent forty-seven years in the desert, completely alone. She had no children, but Mary is one of the most revered holy women in our Church. The idea of ​​salvation through childbearing suggests that the Lord created some special path of salvation for women, fundamentally different from the path of salvation for men. But nothing like this is said in the Holy Scriptures. Both women and men are saved in the Church by the power of the redemptive feat of Christ. And the idea of ​​the salvation of women only through the birth of children arose as a result of a restrictive interpretation of the words of the Apostle Paul: ... For Adam was first created, and then Eve; and it was not Adam who was deceived; but the wife, deceived, fell into crime; however, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and holiness with chastity (1 Tim. 2:13-15). Saint John Chrysostom directly says that in this passage of Scripture we are not talking about the childbearing of women themselves, but about the birth of the Savior: “Adam was created first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the wife, being deceived, found herself in a crime; She will be saved through childbearing. What is childbearing if not through the childbearing of Mary? She gave birth to the Savior - Christ." At the same time, these words of St. John says that Mary’s childbearing, which is the image of all motherhood, lies at the basis of our salvation, and this makes maternal feat something completely exceptional. The openness of the Mother of God to the will of God for the birth of the Son lies at the basis of our salvation; according to this example, the openness of a woman to the will of God for the birth of children is pleasing to God and saving.

People often ask: where do babies who die unbaptized go?

We answer:

Angel heads. Joshua Reynolds. 1786

Saint Theophan the Recluse answers this: “All children are angels of God. The unbaptized, like everyone outside the faith, must be left to the mercy of God. They are not stepsons or stepdaughters of God. Therefore, He knows what and how to establish in relation to them. The ways of God are endless. Such issues should have been resolved if we had a duty to look after and accommodate everyone. Since this is impossible for us, let us leave the care of them to the One who cares for everyone.”

Why do the Church believe that an Orthodox person should despise money and everything material. Because:

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The Monk Ambrose of Optina wrote to his spiritual daughter about this: “...You write: “I don’t like money so much that I never have it for a long time; That’s why I’m always without money, and then I borrow.” But this is nonsense, and you should not make excuses for this, but rather reproach yourself and try to improve. If a person could eat and clothe himself with air, then he would rightly neglect money, which, as it seems, sometimes bothers him. And just as in times of cold and hunger one cannot neglect the necessary clothing and food, so one cannot neglect the means through which food and clothing are acquired. The Holy Fathers say that “the edges of demons are the essence,” that is, that extremes come from the suppression of spiritual enemies. It is foolish to be addicted to money, and it is foolish to neglect it; both are bad, and lead not only to embarrassment, but even to mental harm through various confusions from improper neglect. Money in itself, or rather, for the purpose assigned by God, is a very useful thing. They replace the lack of simplicity and love between people. Without money, who would count people? There would be eternal disputes and quarrels and even fights to the point of murder; and with small coins and even insignificant pieces of paper people get rid of all this, without realizing it. The harm comes not from money, but from reckless greed, or stinginess, or from abuse, perhaps, let’s say - and from wrongful neglect. Use money correctly and you will be at peace.”

Interpretation of 1st Epistle to Timothy by St. Paul chapter 2 verse 15 – Exegete

So what? Is it possible that he (the feminine gender) will not inherit salvation? On the contrary, he inherits, he speaks. Which one exactly? Salvation through children. He did not speak about Eve alone: ​​“ if she continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity

".
In what faith? What kind of love? In what shrine with chastity? He seemed to be saying this: you, women, do not lament that your sex has come under condemnation; God has given you another means of salvation, namely, raising children, so that you can earn salvation not only through yourself, but also through others. Look how many questions arise about the same subject. “ The wife, being deceived
,” he says, “
fell into crime
.”
Which wife? Eve. Therefore, she will be saved through the birth of children? No, this is not what (the apostle) says, but that the entire female sex will be saved. Wasn't she guilty? Of course there was; but although Eve was guilty, the entire female sex will be saved through the birth of children. Why not for the sake of your own virtue? Does this (having children) deprive (the strength of other virtues)? Moreover, what does this have to do with virgins? What about infertile? What about widows who, before they began to give birth, lost their husbands? Have they died, is there not the slightest hope left for them? Meanwhile, virgins are praised most of all. So what is he trying to say? Some say that just as from creation (the world) the entire female sex was in a state of dependence due to what happened to the first woman, Eve was created second and was in a state of dependence, therefore, they say, the entire female sex should be in a state of dependence - so it is here because (Eve) committed a crime, and the entire female sex became criminal. But this has no basis. There everything was done according to the will of God, but here it was a consequence of the wife’s sin. Therefore, what he said has this meaning: just as all people die for the sake of one, because one sinned, so the entire female sex became criminal because a woman committed a crime. However, let her not mourn. God gave her considerable consolation, namely the birth of children. But this is (a matter of) nature, you say. And that (came from the influence of) nature; she is given not only what depends on nature, but also what relates to raising children. “ If he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity
,” that is, if after birth he preserves himself in love and purity.
This will be no small, but very great reward for them, that they have raised warriors for Christ. He calls righteous life holiness, and decency chastity. “ The word is true
” (1 The word is true: if anyone desires the episcopacy, he desires a good work. 1 Tim. 3:1) - refers to what we are talking about, and not to - “
if anyone desires the episcopate
.”
Since there was doubt about this, he says: “ the word is true
” that fathers and mothers can reap the fruits of the virtue of their children when they raise them well.
But what if she herself is dishonest and filled with countless vices? Will raising children bring her any benefit? Wouldn't it be more likely that she would raise them to be like herself? He says this about the virtuous, and not about everyone, that she will receive a great reward and reward for it. Listen to this, fathers and mothers: raising children will not go unrewarded for you. And then he says the same thing: “known for good works, if she raised children
” (10 known for good works, if she raised children, received strangers, washed the feet of the saints, helped the needy and was diligent in every good work. 1 Tim. 5:10).
By the way, this also delivers on appearance. Truly, it is no small matter to dedicate to God the children given by God. If they lay firm supports and foundations under the building, they will have a great reward; whereas, on the contrary, they will be punished for negligence. So Eli also perished through his children, because he had to admonish them; True, he did admonish, but not as he should have. He didn’t want to upset them, and he ruined both them and himself. Listen to this, fathers. Bring up your children in the admonition and teaching of the Lord with great care. Youth is indomitable and needs many mentors, teachers, leaders, supervisors, and educators. And only with such (efforts) is it possible to curb it. Like an unbridled horse, like an untameable beast, so is youth. Therefore, if at the beginning and from the first age we set appropriate limits for her, then later we will not have the need for great efforts; on the contrary, then the habit will turn into a law for them. Let us not allow them to do what is pleasant and at the same time harmful, we will not please them, because they are children; but we will primarily preserve them in chastity - this is where harm to youth is most likely. We must especially take care of this, we must be especially attentive to this. Rather, let us take wives for them, so that they, having a pure and uncorrupted body, will be united with brides. Such love is especially fiery. He who was chaste before marriage will remain so even more so after marriage. On the contrary, whoever learned to commit fornication before marriage will do the same after marriage. “ To a fornicator
,” it is said, “
all bread is sweet
” (23 All bread is sweet to a fornicator: he will not cease until he dies. Sir. 23:23). This is why crowns are placed on their heads - as a sign of victory, that they, without being defeated, enter the bridal chamber - that they were not overcome by lust. If someone, carried away by voluptuousness, gave himself up to harlots, then why does he have a crown on his head after this, when he is conquered? We will instill this in them, we will admonish them with this, intimidate, threaten, doing one thing or another. We have been entrusted with an important collateral - children. Let us take care of them and use all measures so that the evil one does not steal them from us. Meanwhile, now everything is happening the other way around. We use all possible efforts to ensure that the field is good and to entrust it to a trustworthy person, and we look for the most skilled driver of donkeys and mules, and the overseer, and the attorney; but we do not pay attention to what is most precious to us, namely, to entrust our son to a person who could keep him in chastity, despite the fact that this treasure is more valuable than all others and the rest come for it. We care about their property, but not about them themselves. Do you see how crazy it is? Form the soul of your son first, and he will receive the property later. If his soul is not good, then he will not have the slightest benefit from money; and vice versa, if she is given the right education, then poverty will not harm him at all. Do you want to leave him rich? Teach him to be kind. Thus, he can increase his fortune; even if we do not increase it, then at least it will not be any worse than wealthy people. Meanwhile, if he is evil, then, even though you left him countless treasures, you did not leave the keeper (of these treasures), but made him more miserable than those who fell into the most extreme poverty. Indeed, for children who have not received the right upbringing, poverty is better than wealth, because the former, even against their will, keeps them within the limits of virtue, while the latter, even if someone wanted it, does not allow them to lead a chaste life, but carries them away, subverts and leads into countless crimes. You, mothers, look after your daughters most of all: this care is not difficult for you. Make sure they stay at home; and, above all, teach them to be pious, modest, to despise money and not be too concerned about clothes. So give them away in marriage. If we form them in this way, then you will save not only them, but also the husband who will take her, and not only the husband, but also the children, and not only the children, but also the grandchildren. If the root is good, then the branches will develop better - and for all this you will receive a reward. Therefore, let us do everything as we (decently) care for the good of not one soul, but many through one. A daughter, upon entering into marriage, must leave her father’s house like a wrestler from a place of competition, that is, she must know exactly the whole science, with the help of which she could, like leaven, raise all confusion to her own beauty. And sons must again be modest to such an extent that they can most likely be recognized by their good behavior and chastity, and so that they deserve great praise both from people and from God. Let them learn to curb their stomachs, abstain from unnecessary expenses, be prudent, tenderly loving, let them learn to obey authority. In this way they can bring great reward to parents. Then everything will be to the glory of God and our salvation, in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father with the Holy Spirit be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. *** Spuria: see 3 The rivers exalt, O Lord, the rivers exalt their voice, the rivers exalt their waves. Ps. 92:3

Will be saved through childbearing, Kuznetsov S.G.

As we read the Bible, we often come across phrases or passages from books that are difficult to understand. Often, believers simply skip them, without trying to solve the next puzzle on the pages of Scripture. However, preachers and commentators, when they encounter such passages, still strive to examine them and proclaim their meaning to the church. Unfortunately, they often come to completely different variations of the meanings of such texts. In 1 Timothy 2:15 we find just such a case. This text reads as follows: “...however, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.” Since the middle of the second chapter, we have been talking about women in the church. What do these words say about salvation? Interpreters offer many different explanations. One could dismiss this problem until better times, as is often done with such texts, and not rack one’s brains, but we are talking about salvation here. Salvation is one of the most important themes of Scripture and Christian doctrine. Any difference of opinion on this issue is perceived extremely painfully by Christians. Therefore, a lot of controversy arose around the words recorded by the Apostle Paul. Let's try to figure out what he writes about.

There are several important questions regarding this text. First, what kind of woman is saved through childbearing? Are we talking about the salvation of any Christian woman who gives birth to a child in marriage? Or is it said about Eve, whom the Apostle Paul recalls in his reasoning? Or is it the Virgin Mary who gave birth to the Savior? Secondly, what exactly is a woman saved from through childbearing? Is this salvation from eternal destruction as a consequence of the wrath of God, or from something less terrible? Thirdly, are we talking here about the birth of children in general or only about the birth of Jesus Christ? Fourthly, to whom do the words “if he continues in faith and love and holiness with chastity” apply? Does this apply to the mother or to her children?

There is an understanding of this text of Scripture that says that through the difficult and dangerous process of childbearing, a woman receives physical strengthening. Proponents of this explanation argue that believing women, despite Eve's role in the Fall, are spared suffering during childbirth. This understanding looks quite strange. None of the texts of Scripture contain similar examples of the influence of a woman’s piety on the process of her childbirth. Moreover, some women not only do not become stronger physically, but also die during childbirth. This, for example, happened to Rachel at the birth of Benjamin (Gen. 35:16-19). Should we call all such women unbelieving sinners? Besides all this, what does this have to do with the prohibition against a woman teaching and exercising authority over her husband that Paul discusses here (1 Tim. 2:12)?

Nowadays, the allegorical interpretation has become very popular among Protestants. It did not bypass this text either. Some understand childbirth here not literally, but allegorically. What then is born in a Christian woman? Faith, love and holiness with chastity. These are her “children”. If Eve had maintained her trust and love for God, she would not have been deceived by Satan’s false promises. However, one can object to this. Paul uses unnecessarily complex grammatical construction here, unnecessarily. One could simply talk about living a life of faith, love, and holiness without unduly mentioning procreation. In addition, Paul writes about salvation through childbearing, provided the woman continues in faith, and not about the birth of faith by her. And the very idea of ​​giving birth to faith, love and holiness in life as a Christian woman looks strange. It's like the egg gives birth to the chicken, and not the other way around. The Christian woman already has faith, love and holiness by grace. Otherwise, she would not be a Christian at all. Such a call for Christians to give birth to faith and love for salvation in their hearts looks quite absurd. And in the entire second chapter of this letter, the Apostle Paul never uses allegory. On the contrary, he speaks directly and specifically. Supporters of this point of view need to explain why the apostle suddenly decided to use such a strange technique in relation to women?

There is a point of view that a married Christian woman can be saved by having children. And we are talking here about eternal salvation from the wrath of God. This position, for example, is actively preached in the MSC ECB (“International Union of Evangelical Christian Baptist Churches”) by Denis Samarin. The argument in favor of this position is that childbearing was God's original commandment for people (Gen. 1:28). When a woman gives birth to children, she demonstrates obedience to God's will and receives God's blessing and salvation. But in this case it turns out that for men there is one way of salvation, and for women another. Men are saved by grace through faith in Christ, and women through faith plus childbearing. However, nowhere in Scripture is there any indication that the number of children a woman bears has any bearing on her eternal salvation. Moreover, the same apostle Paul writes that men and women are saved by grace, through faith, apart from works, so that no one can boast before God (Eph. 2:8-9). “Regardless of business” includes childbearing. Eternal salvation by grace is obtained through faith, not through having children. Here, supporters of eternal salvation through childbearing defend that childbearing is a manifestation of saving faith in a woman’s life. We can agree with this, only with the caveat that faith here is manifested not in the question of eternal salvation, but in the question of the present sanctification of the believer. In addition, God does not give children to every married woman. And not all sisters get married. The same Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian believers about some superiority of the celibate position of believers in comparison even with Christian marriage. In response to such objections, Denis Samarin defends himself with the following argument:

“There are many texts in the Bible in which, in addition to grace and faith, there are other conditions. For example: “Drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Written? Can we say that a person who drinks and is a drunkard, despite the fact that Christ died for him, and that he believes that Christ died for him, will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Can we say that or not? Can! It wouldn’t even occur to anyone to say: “Well, is there really any other condition needed for a drunkard besides grace and faith”? He must, it turns out, still be freed from his sin. Friends, this is a negative example. What about the positive one? There is such a text: “And for those who, by constancy in a good deed,” - notice what - “by constancy in a good deed, seek glory, honor and immortality...” Who remembers the continuation of this text? Hereby eternal life! Friends, it turns out that life is eternal; it is conditioned on consistency in good deeds.”[1]

But we cannot agree with such statements, because deliverance from sin also occurs by the grace of God. Or how else can a drunkard be freed from the sin of drunkenness or the power of any other sin? Willpower? No! In the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul explains in detail that sanctification also occurs not through trying to fulfill all the requirements of God's law, but by grace through faith (Rom. 6:14-18). And where can we get the ability to do good works, that is, service for the Lord, if not in the action of the Holy Spirit by the grace of God? We work out our salvation by obeying God. It's right! But it’s worth reading the entire passage: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will, and to work according to His good pleasure” (Col. 2:12-13). What do we see here? What is the reason for doing good deeds? Strength of will? Call of Duty? No! God by grace gives us the right desires and the ability to fulfill them. True spiritual service is impossible without another manifestation of God's grace - the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the use of this gift that allows you to bring good to the church and glorify God through your service. So, we have nothing to add to the operation of God’s grace in eternal salvation. We can only use it for the glory of God and for the benefit of people. This applies to eternal salvation, sanctification, and service. So the Apostle Paul, mentioning his good deeds for the glory of God, makes an amendment: “But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace in me was not in vain, but I labored more than all of them: not I, however, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10). If we add our good works to the grace of God as a condition for eternal salvation, then we do not thereby increase the security of our salvation, but only diminish the power of God's saving grace. This can be regarded as evidence of delusion or lack of faith. The Galatian believers once decided to add the necessity of fulfilling the Law of Moses, as written in the Bible, to faith in Christ for salvation. What did the Apostle Paul tell them about this? Did you praise them? No! He writes to them the following: “Oh, foolish Galatians! Who deceived you not to submit to the truth, you, who had before your eyes Jesus Christ as if he were crucified? I just want to know this from you: did you receive the Spirit through the works of the law, or through instruction in faith? Are you so foolish that, having begun in the spirit, you are now ending in the flesh? Have you really suffered so much without benefit? Oh, if only there was no benefit!” (Gal.3:1-4). He further writes: “Behold, I, Paul, say to you, if you are circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. Again I testify to every man who is circumcised, that he must fulfill the whole law. You, who justify yourselves by the law, are left without Christ and have fallen from grace, but we in the spirit await and hope for the righteousness of faith” (Gal. 5:2-5). What did the Galatian Christians do wrong? They believed that faith and the grace of God were not enough for salvation; they also needed to fulfill God’s commandments given through Moses to the people of Israel. Are these commandments bad? No! Have they ceased to be part of the Word of God? No! What's the problem? The fact is that believers began to rely not so much on the action of God's grace that justifies through faith, but on their own righteousness. Paul tells them that by doing so they simply denied salvation in Christ and were left without Christ. Let's not make this mistake again!

Another serious argument against the idea of ​​​​the eternal salvation of a Christian woman through the birth of children can be seen in the words of the same Apostle Paul: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus; all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is no longer Jew or Gentile; there is neither slave nor free; there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26-28). Paul teaches that in matters of salvation, nationality, gender or social characteristics do not matter. Men and women are saved alike through faith in Christ. If this were not so, or if there were some additional nuances in the matter of the salvation of married women, then it would be appropriate to expect repeated explanations on this matter in the Holy Scriptures. But we do not find such explanations in the Bible.

There is another variation of the eternal salvation of a Christian woman through her own childbearing. In this explanation, the condition for her eternal salvation becomes not childbearing itself and remaining in faith, love, holiness and chastity, but remaining in faith and everything else for the children born to her. If a Christian woman gives birth to children and is able to raise them as believers, then she will gain eternal salvation. An extremely strange statement. If a believing woman did not have children, she was saved by faith. But once she gives birth to a child, her salvation is called into question until the children grow up and make their own decisions about the gospel. Strange! And if some children became believers, while others did not, will such a woman be saved? What if she has an unbelieving husband who is raising her children not in Christian values ​​and beliefs? What if the children died at an early age? There are many questions that can be asked here, but is it possible to give clear answers to them? In the Bible we see several cases of godly people having unworthy children. This happened to the children of God's prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 8:1-3). King David's son Amnon raped his own sister (2 Sam. 13:11-16). David's other son, Absalom, killed his brother (2 Sam. 13:28-29) and rebelled against his father (2 Sam. 15). Further, Adonijah arbitrarily reigned under his living father-king (1 Kings 1). Is it possible on this basis to call the prophet Samuel and King David unbelievers and lost? No! Why is it expected of women that even some great men before God could not do?

A good explanation of the option of eternal salvation through childbearing is given by John Stott[2] and Alexey Prokopenko[3]. They correctly point out that to understand this text, you need to look at the entire fragment of the letter dedicated to women, that is, 1 Tim. 2:8-15. The apostle is writing here about the godly behavior of men and women during the meeting. Men must pray in faith, lift up clean hands, having a clear conscience before God. Women should be decently and chastely dressed, adorned with pious deeds, and study in silence with all submission. After these instructions, Paul imposes two prohibitions on Christian women during the meeting: they must not teach men and they must not rule over men (v. 12). Probably, the women in Ephesus, where Timothy was at that time, under the influence of false teachers, decided to erase all social boundaries between men and women. Since in Greek the word “childbearing” is accompanied by a definite article, we are not talking about childbirth in general, but about some specific childbirth. Then the Apostle Paul speaks here of the birth of the Savior Christ in accordance with the promise given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden after the Fall (Gen. 3:15). Then the birth of Christ saves, that is, it removes from Eve and believing women the shame of being deceived by sin. In this case, Paul provides some comfort to women by removing them from their role as teachers and exercise of authority in the church.

There is another convincing opinion that a woman will be saved from the corrupting influence of society and false teachers by staying at home, giving birth and raising children. Based on what Paul instructs in this letter regarding women in the church, it appears that there were a number of problems with their behavior. Women in the church did not always dress godly (1 Tim. 2:9). They also tried to teach the church and rule equally with men (1 Tim. 2:12). Young widows were carried away by luxury, idleness, curiosity and gossip (1 Tim. 5:11-13). It is interesting that the Apostle Paul commands young widows to marry, bear children, and manage their homes in order to maintain piety. Perhaps these widows were rich and did not experience material need, since it is not common for a poor person to indulge in luxury. This encouraged them to strive for influence not only in society, but also in the church. Ephesus also had a problem with false teachers in the church who forbade marriage (1 Tim. 4:1-3). Young widows could pick up these ideas and spread them to the homes of believers. This behavior turned some of them away from faith in Christ after Satan (1 Tim. 5:12,15). In connection with these problems, Paul prescribes for believing women a way of salvation from such corruption. By instructing young widows to marry and bear children, Paul says that in this way they will be saved from the temptation to take the wrong place in the church, to take the place that God originally intended for men. For this reason, Paul not only points out that Adam was created before Eve, but also that Eve was deceived and fell into sin. Adam's primacy in creation indicates his leadership role in the family. And when Eve tried to take Adam’s place in making family decisions, this only led to deception and sin. The same thing will happen in the church if women behave like Eve on the day of the Fall. One of Eve's punishments was the temptation to take the place of her husband, who was constantly faced with failure. Eve here appears as a representative of all women, and not just as a unique historical figure. This is also evident from the fact that in the phrase “if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity,” the verb “will remain” in the original language is in the plural. Thus, verse 15 is better translated as: “However, one will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.” The beginning of the verse continues the story of Eve, and the second part talks about all the women in the church. No matter how much a woman tries to take a leadership position, her husband will still rule over her (Gen. 3:16). This is true for Eve and for any other woman. Is there any consolation for a woman in this situation? Yes! She can realize her desire to rule and teach in raising her children. A woman has this right in relation to her children. For a reasonable upbringing, she herself needs to constantly “abide in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.” By raising them to be godly men, a woman of faith will have comfort and joy in her role as a woman as God intended. We are not talking here about the number of children born necessary for such salvation. God gives some women many children, others only one or two. It is more important that a woman take her position in God’s plan for her and thereby protect herself from various temptations.

So, we have examined the main views on the meaning of the text “however, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity” (1 Tim. 2:15). As John Stott argues in his commentary on this letter of Paul, this is the most difficult text to interpret in the pastoral letters of the New Testament.[4] However, the difficulty of understanding should not become an obstacle to the desire to comprehend and apply the truth. We have seen that many explanations have been proposed, but most of them do not stand up to careful criticism. The most likely two options for understanding the words about salvation through childbearing: the salvation of all women through the birth of Jesus Christ and salvation from ungodly behavior through the birth and raising of one’s own children in the truth. In each of these interpretations there is some consolation for a Christian woman, in response to a number of prohibitions imposed on her by God. Christian women should submit to this divine decree so as not to repeat the mistakes of Eve, which brought so much grief to humanity.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6th-rQj4tw (appeal dated 03/18/2019)

[2] D. Stott, First Epistle to Timothy / Trans. from English – St. Petersburg: Mirt, 2002 – p. 98

[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av6RgSc1UZw (appeal dated 03/19/2019)

[4] D. Stott, First Epistle to Timothy / Trans. from English – St. Petersburg: Mirt, 2002 – p. 80

"WILL BE SAVED THROUGH CHILDREN..."

There is one text in the Holy Scriptures that many believers do not see. That text talks about a woman-mother. In the Synodal Bible it is as follows: “...However, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.” (1 Timothy 2:15).

And this is how it is conveyed in the Modern Russian Translation: “...However, she will also be saved by giving birth to children, if, of course, she lives with faith and love, holy and reasonable.”

Whatever one may say, the said text is not talking about the spiritual birth of spiritual children. This speaks of literal children and the literal birth of children.

It is directly said that giving birth to children is a matter for a woman for which she will be awarded salvation...

COMPLEX, PAINFUL TOPIC

The topic of having children is a very painful one for many married couples. Emotions rule the topic. Sound mind, based on the laws of God, in this topic, as a rule, is in second or even lower place. “How is it possible to be saved through childbearing?” some wonder. And others generally consider these words to be “eccentricities” of Paul...

A study of the Holy Scriptures shows that in the eyes of God, giving birth to children is an honor, dignity and feat for a woman, for which, as they said, God will especially reward a woman-mother.

As we see from the Bible, God is very favorable towards women who bear children. God considers childbirth to be a work of righteousness, a feat for which a woman will receive special mercy from God if, of course, she “lives with faith and love, holy and reasonable.”

“Through childbearing” not every woman giving birth will be saved, but only one who “abides in faith and love, holy and reasonable.”

The Bible is written for believers. God's laws exist for believers. For non-believers they seem to be absent.

We are talking here about what is written in the Bible. Today the Bible is not popular. There are even voices to classify the Bible as extremist literature. And they will count you! Judging by how quickly the world is descending into lust and debauchery, this could happen quite soon.

The biblical message about children is clear: God loves children. God needs children, needs new people. Giving birth to a child means doing a great good deed. The reluctance to give birth comes from the devil. In order to justify their reluctance to give birth, selfish people have come up with a lot of “reasons”, or rather, excuses. They deceive themselves and deceive others.

“WHAT, CREATE POVERTY?..”

Conversations about children, about how many of them “should be,” and how to “manage” them later, such and similar conversations can only be had with those who believe in God. For non-believers, these conversations seem like sheer madness.

However, the problem is that for many, many believers, or who consider themselves believers, the topic of having many children is also unpleasant.

In an atheistic society, the prevailing psychology is that having many children means they are somehow defective. “Compassion”, bordering on ridicule, is firmly embedded in people’s brains towards those with many children. Also, with the crafty suggestion of Lenin’s atheistic ideologists, many deceived people believe: since these believers have many children, that means they are insatiably lustful.

A woman is given the highest position and highest honor by God. They consist in the birth of children. But in a satanic society, in which everything that comes from God is ridiculed and disputed, in this evil world, the Divine privilege of a woman to give birth to children is relegated to last place.

“WOULD YOU GIVE BIRTH, BUT THERE’S NO ONE TO GIVE BIRTH FROM!”

…Soviet time. The mother of six children came to the chairman of the district executive committee to sign a statement. He's having a meeting. But the mother of many children “broke into” the office with her statement. The district leaders sitting at the meeting unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that some mother was preventing them from resolving important issues. And one of them said: “What, they riveted you, but you can’t feed them, are you asking for help?...”

The woman came closer to him, looked into his eyes, and firmly said: “From her husband, if she could, she would give birth to so many more. And from someone like you, it would be a crime to give birth to one!”

There was laughter in the office. The frivolous official blushed. The pre-district executive committee, choking with laughter, said: “Woman, let’s give your statement...”. And he signed it without reading it...

If you look at it seriously, the woman revealed a big problem of our time: There is no one to give birth to! Real men are dying out, running out! Atheism has plagued men. What remains are either psychological gnomes or homosexuals.

Which atheist man today is ready to put the burden of a father of many children on his shoulders? Who would dare to carry such a load? Not only among atheists, but among believers, large married couples are counted on one hand. Having many children is self-sacrifice. Who will decide on it today? Are there many of these? The answer is obvious...

A woman's happiness is to be her husband's assistant. “But where can I find a husband who would like to become an assistant?..,” women rightfully ask.

Just like atheism - before the first shake on the plane, so feminism, before the first real man... Feminism, as a consequence of the extinction of men. Men behave like Adam. The first henpecked man was Adam. Had Adam behaved as a man should, who knows how human history would have developed further? Perhaps his quarrelsome wife, looking at her knight-husband, would have repented. And so, seeing his cowardice and cowardice, Eve did the same... Wives don’t like husbands like Adam...

The disappearance of genuine men, heads of families, is one of the signs of the end of the world.

Everything in the world is turned upside down. The role of a woman, which was given to her by God, is ridiculed, challenged and refuted. The woman has ceased to be a wife and mother. She is now a “manager”, well, or an employee, even a soldier.

Just like men, women are also dying out. No mothers. There is everything, just not mothers. Everything in the world is truly turned upside down. The world has gone completely crazy.

GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE

Everyone knows what the Old Testament books of the Bible say regarding the birth of children, about how many children parents should have. The bigger, the better. The presence of children was one of the main signs of God's blessing for spouses. The absence of children has always, in all Old Testament times, been considered as a serious grief.

The ancient Onan deliberately resisted the conception of a child. For this he was killed by God. (Genesis 38). Nowadays the “teaching” of Onan is widespread among people.

No matter what book of Scripture we take, we will find one thought everywhere: Children are a blessing, a blessing, a gift from God, the longed-for dream of parents. God is pleased with people's desire to have children. He helped spouses who could not give birth to a child, giving them the ability to give birth.

This was the case before Jesus Christ came to earth.

How is this topic covered in the New Testament books of the Bible? Is having children still a blessing from God? Or has God changed his mind on this issue?

As for children, there is no indication that God changed His mind about them in New Testament times, or that God's attitude towards children changed for the worse. “Let the children come to Me...” said the Lord Jesus and embraced the children.

Regarding marriage, in comparison with the Old Testament concept, a certain innovation appeared in the New Testament books. Now it is said that it is better, more blessed to remain celibate. But, if you get married, then children are God’s gift. “...Your children... are holy,” the Apostle Paul said even to those families in which at least one of the spouses is a believer.

The question is often asked: “How can parents with many children manage such a crowd?” The answer is actually simple: It all depends on how parents look at their children. As a burden, a burden, or as a gift from God? If it is a gift from God, then children, no matter how many there are, bring joy and happiness to their parents.

It is obvious that for such a perception of children, first of all, the parents themselves must look at each other as a mutual gift from God. But this is only possible in marriage in the Lord...

The child subtly feels how his parents and other family members treat him. Who is he in their eyes? Another “mouth” that has appeared in the house, or a new priceless gift from God. The child feels this and reacts accordingly, and, accordingly, his personality is formed, either inclined to goodness or not.

God-fearing parents not only consider their children a gift from God, but also tell their children about it and convince them of it. When, for example, a baby asks: “Where did I come from?”, God-fearing parents answer him, telling the pure truth: “God gave you to us. God gave you all. God is so generous and so kind that he gave us such wonderful, such beautiful children,” says the mother, kissing the baby.

They didn’t “found it in the cabbage”, they didn’t come from somewhere, but from God! And the child, children, hearing and feeling this, blossom. And the parents are happy. Everyone feels like a creation of God. The whole family is happy.

On such a spiritual foundation, a Christian family will certainly be happy, no matter the situation with regard to material supply. “Better is a dish of greens, and with it love, than a fatted ox, and with it, strife,” says the Bible.

In general, this was probably how it was in the families of the Apostles...

Read on Yandex Zen

EX-Pharisee

“Let the wife study in silence, with all submission; But I do not allow a wife to teach, nor to rule over her husband, but to be in silence. For Adam was created first, and then Eve; and it was not Adam who was deceived; but the wife, deceived, fell into crime; however, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.” (1 Timothy 2:11-15)

So, from this passage of the Synodal Translation of the Bible the following conclusions are drawn:

1. The wife should learn silently and with humility . Who does he study with? Some husbands believe that they are their wives' teachers.

2. It is forbidden for a wife to teach , and it is also forbidden to rule over her husband.

3. All of the above is argued by the fact that Eve was created after Adam . And Adam, it turns out, was not seduced, but it was all his wife’s fault (well, by the way, Adam himself pointed the finger at Eve, justifying himself before God).

4. And the wife will be saved , it turns out, not through faith in Christ, but through childbearing . Those. the barren are not saved?

Well, now, let's look at the meaning of the Greek words of this passage.

• “studies in silence” – in this case, the Greek word that is translated as “silently” is the word ησυχια (peace, peace). Those. The meaning of the phrase is not that a woman should not open her mouth, but that a woman should be in peace and quiet when studying. Apparently this is due to the emotionality of women.
• “with humility” , here is the word υποταγη, which is most often translated as submission, but also has the meaning of “hiding behind someone’s back.” Those. here we are not talking about the subordination of the inferior to the superior, but about the fact that a woman should feel protected, calm behind the back of her husband, who loves her, takes care of her and protects her.
• “It is forbidden for a wife to teach . This is the favorite verse of church misogynists. However, I hasten to disappoint them. From the context it is clearly clear that this is about the fact that a woman should not lecture her husband and try to dominate him. This is true. There are strong women and weak men. In this case, the woman is tempted to dominate. But strong men should not dominate their wives either! Strength is in love and service, not in enslavement and domination!
• "but be in silence . Here is the same word ησυχια (calm, peace). No silence!!!
• Paul's explanation of Adam and Eve in Greek sounds like it has a completely different meaning. Paul said that Eve was more vulnerable than Adam, and therefore she was deceived first. Adam was stronger and had superiority, which was given to him to protect Eve. Therefore, Eve is much more comfortable and calm when she is behind the back of a strong, loving husband (not to be confused with a despot and tyrant).
• “However, he will be saved through childbearing . The word “however” is not in Greek at all; it was added by translators (not inspired by God). The word “will be saved” means “will be healed.” The word "through" has the same meaning as "after".

Thus, the meaning of this phrase is completely distorted! It would be correct to write: “She will be healed after childbirth.” Childbirth brings pain and agony to a woman, but after it is over, she will be healed and will rejoice in her child.

So, Paul certainly would not have approved of the way his words were translated into Old Russian by Orthodox churchmen, and he certainly would not have approved of modern misogynists who twist Paul’s words to humiliate and discriminate against women.

Source – Konstantin Vetrov’s blog on Facebook

I will only add (as part of the afterword to the repost) that Paul would have torn his clothes if he had heard that listening to a woman translator behind a preacher, or just a woman preacher, is a sin.

Those who have ears, let them hear.

We read the Apostle. November 25. I do not allow my wife to teach, nor to rule over her husband, but to be in silence

The Holy Church reads the First Epistle to Timothy. Chapter 1, Art. 18–20; chapter 2, art. 8–15.

1:18. I am teaching you, my son Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies that were about you, such a testament that you will fight in accordance with them, like a good warrior,

1:19. having faith and a good conscience, which some rejected and suffered shipwreck in faith;

1:20. such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they would learn not to blaspheme.

2:8. So I wish that men would say prayers in every place, raising clean hands without anger or doubt;

2:9. so that women, too, in decent attire, with modesty and chastity, adorn themselves not with braided hair, not with gold, not with pearls, not with costly clothing,

2:10. but by good deeds, as is fitting for wives devoting themselves to piety.

2:11. Let the wife study in silence, with all submission;

2:12. But I do not allow a wife to teach, nor to rule over her husband, but to be in silence.

2:13. For Adam was created first, and then Eve;

2:14. and it was not Adam who was deceived; but the wife, deceived, fell into crime;

2:15. however, he will be saved through childbearing if he continues in faith and love and in holiness with chastity.

(1 Tim. 1, 18 – 20; 2, 8 – 15)

Let me remind you that sometimes the passages that the church calendar offers us are read with a gap. We see that there is a missing piece between the verses of today's passage. The first and second parts are not connected in any way by meaning, so we can talk about them as two different semantic passages.

I teach you, my son Timothy, in accordance with the prophecies that were about you, such a testament that you fight in accordance with them, like a good warrior, having faith and a good conscience, which some rejected and suffered shipwreck in faith; such are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan so that they would learn not to blaspheme. Here we are talking about some people who were shipwrecked in faith, rejecting a good conscience and faith. We do not know who they were, but the Apostle Paul, because of their shipwreck in faith, handed them over to Satan so that they would not blaspheme. That is, they uttered some kind of blasphemy against God, treated Him disrespectfully, so the Apostle Paul handed them over to Satan, which means anathematization. Several conversations ago we said that anathema is excommunication, the separation of a person from a religious environment, from the Church or in the Old Testament from the synagogue. Deliver to Satan is a synonymous expression that means “to separate a person from the Church,” that is, to separate him from the area where the Holy Spirit operates and therefore Satan cannot act on a person without hindrance. When a person is excommunicated from the Church, anathematized, or given over to Satan, this means that he lives outside the Church, is subject to temptations and the influence of Satan to a greater extent, since he does not have church protection.

In the passage from the second chapter, we are talking about how men and women should pray in the congregation, as well as in general about the relationship between men and women. This passage, of course, is very interesting and debatable, especially for modern people, since a lot is said about what the relationship between a man and a woman should be like. Should this be a relationship in hierarchy or equality, and if in hierarchy, then “who is the boss in the house”? Be that as it may, we must say that in all traditional religions - Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism - there is a certain hierarchy. At the head of a person’s life is God (called differently in one religion or another); Next comes the man who strives with all his strength to God, and for him nothing and no one except God can be the main thing; then - a woman who devotes all her aspirations and strength to serving her man, who serves God. When all the links in this hierarchy work, then, according to religious ideas, everything turns out as it should be.

The world is moving forward, humanistic values ​​are emerging. Humanity has spent a lot of time and effort to come to the idea of ​​equality of different people, in particular based on the principle of gender. In some cases, the woman is in charge, and it is even said that she should be in charge. How to approach this is a personal choice for each person, but if we turn to Scripture, we will see very specific instructions in this regard.

So I wish that men would say prayers in every place, raising clean hands without anger or doubt; so that wives, too, in decent attire, with modesty and chastity, adorn themselves not with braided hair, not with gold, not with pearls, not with costly clothing, but with good deeds, as befits women devoting themselves to piety. Let the wife study in silence, with all submission; But I do not allow a wife to teach, nor to rule over her husband, but to be in silence. For a modern person, especially for a modern woman, this sounds quite radical. Nevertheless, in communities, including Christian ones, it was not customary for women to speak out loud, that is, in the presence of the entire community, they did not have the opportunity to offer public prayer or participate in any conversations or discussions. This is also stated in the Epistle to the Corinthians.

When in a community a person endowed with spiritual gifts and the ability to preach interpreted the Holy Scriptures, men belonging to this community listened to him, and each of them understood this commentary to the best of their strength, their awareness, and education. Women could listen to all this, but could not ask questions. When the husband and wife returned home (the Apostle Paul wrote about this in his Epistle to the Corinthians), the woman could ask for some clarification from her husband, and he, in his interpretation, told his wife how he understood this or that truth. Thus, the truth came to the woman directly from her man, and it was her man who was her teacher, a guide to divine spiritual truths. Strong communication and hierarchy worked very clearly.

Now they say that women can be no less or even more educated, listen to preachers on an equal basis with men and even give them a head start, teach their man something. This happens not only because women have become quite emancipated, but also because men are sometimes not interested in any spiritual realities at all; for many of them this is something unnecessary. Let's even look at those who go to Orthodox churches, to some conversations, meetings, studies, diocesan courses - as a rule, there are more women there.

This, of course, is a double-edged problem. If a woman teaches and rules over her husband, then the entire hierarchy collapses, and the relationship collapses on a deep mystical, spiritual level. It turns out that the man no longer moves towards God, but the woman does this “over the head” of the man. Their relationship is established and may sustain this relationship for some time, but still in some deep sense such a relationship will be in some way flawed.

Another thing - to be honest - modern people, even those who attend Church, often do not think at all about any kind of spiritual ascent, about the fact that a man should consider God as the highest value, and a woman should listen to such a man moving towards God. All this has almost completely disappeared from people’s lives, since the bulk of parishioners and especially “parishioners” attend church precisely in order to solve some of their problems, sometimes everyday ones. People pray to God when something goes wrong in life, but few expect any growth or dynamics. Those who move towards God are mainly those who are “carried away” by spirituality, and “Orthodox Christians” who occasionally visit church for some need can even twirl a finger at their temple and say: “Aren’t you too immersed in spirituality, isn’t it time?” do you need treatment?" This happens, brothers and sisters, but you and I are called to understand certain things more deeply, more consciously, spiritually, without being led by any social principles, in particular equality, which has become so dear to many people.

I remind you of the need for you and me to read the word of God every day, because it contains great joy, consolation and instruction. God bless you all!

Priest Mikhail Romadov