8. The Impact of Redemption on Procreation

Exegesis and application of 1 Timothy 2:15

In this chapter we will examine the impact of redemption upon child bearing. 1 Timothy 2:15 says, “Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” The word “saved” deals with the application of redemption, with special focus upon the woman’s sanctification.¹³⁷

We have already seen that childbearing (though a blessing) is also impacted by the curse (Gen. 3:16), and therefore it is appropriate that redemption reverse that curse and save her from something inherent “in childbearing”. Though the word “childbearing” is likely a metonymy for every part of the woman’s role and calling in life, the Holy Spirit had a special reason for focusing upon the “childbearing.” He was relating redemption to this particular facet of the impact of the curse.

Paul emphasizes the fact that this blessing brought to childbearing is not automatic, but has a conditional “if.” The meaning of this seems to be that a woman can enter into God’s gracious redemptive reversal of the Genesis 3:16 curse with regard to conception if (and only if) those children who are conceived continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. It is no blessing to have so many children that the children cannot be discipled and they end up abandoning the faith. Christ’s grace enables conception to truly be a blessing by providing all the resources needed to ensure covenant succession. This implies sufficient shepherding of the children that they are drawn into the faith. The portion of salvation that is being focused upon (sanctification) involves both divine sovereignty and human effort.

Other interpretations have certainly been offered of this passage, but this one fits the grammar best. Notice that the “she” is singular and the “they” is plural. Childbearing implies multiple children, and “they” makes perfect sense if it refers to the children who are thus conceived. If it refers to the “she” and the “woman” of verses 11-15 (all in the singular), then it makes for garbled and awkward grammar.

Thus, just like Genesis 3:15 (compare seed of Satan versus seed of woman – both being references to the offspring of Adam) hints that the coming Messiah will reverse the curse, 1 Timothy 2:15 speaks of grace overcoming the curse’s impact upon conception and enabling good to come out of cursing. Notice that either cursing or blessing can result in either passage. Conception continues to be cursed if God’s grace is not applied to our children. Note the critical “if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” If children are raised for hell, they are hardly a blessing. We should not have more children than we can raise in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Exegesis and application of Genesis 18:19

This is not just a New Testament concept. It is articulated in Malachi 2:15, Genesis 18:19, and many other Old Testament passages. God said about Abraham (to whom he had given promises of covenant succession), “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Gen. 18:19). If people have more children than they can command after them to keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, the Lord does not hold Himself obligated to fulfill His promises to us. Genesis 18:19 can be broken down into four parts:

1. God’s grace to parents: “For I have known him.”
2. Parental responsibility that flows from that grace: “in order that he may command his children and his household after him.”
3. Redemption’s ability to reverse the curse on conception: “that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice.”
4. The resulting blessing of children: “that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”

Too many books from the NCC camp speak in an unqualified way of the blessing of children in any and all circumstances. Chapters 6-8 are designed to temper such assertions.

So the passages in this chapter give faith and hope, but they also give a realistic caution. Likewise, they also show that redemption continues the imperative of being fruitful and multiplying (compare 1 Timothy 2:15 with 1 Timothy 5:14) and redemption enables that command to be joyfully fulfilled (Ps. 113:9). Grace enables multi-generational covenant succession, but these passages warn that it is not automatic. Covenant succession is a blessing of God’s grace, but it must also be worked at by God’s grace.

Discussion questions

1. Does your view of the blessing of children take into account the conditions of Genesis 18:19 and 1 Timothy 2:15? Or do you see the blessing of conception as automatic?
2. If the woman of 1 Timothy 2:15 will be “saved” if her children continue in the things listed, what does it imply about her sanctification or application of redemption if they do not?
3. We do not view God’s grace and our responsibilities as an either/or situation, but both/and, and we believe God’s grace is sufficient to enable Christians to have far more children than they are having on average in America, but if parents became disabled and were struggling to nurture, clothe, and feed the ten children they already had, what would be your suggestion based on 1 Timothy 2:15?