Questions about 1 Timothy
In 1st Timothy, Paul explains the roles of men and woman. Men are head of the church and of their families. The man is supposed to guide and lead, but what about single females who live far away from their fathers? Who is supposed to guide and care for them? Also, Paul continues and states that woman are saved through childbirth. I know that only through Christ is one saved through faith in him. What does Paul mean by that? Not all woman can have children. What does that mean for them?
The principle of loving head and loving helper (1 Corinthians 11:3ff) has application in different ways to different people. In your current home situation, you have the responsibility of providing for your material needs and seeing to it that your spiritual needs are met. The fourth commandment is always in place, but the scope of application changes as parents and children grow older.
When it comes to women being saved “through childbearing” (1 Timothy 2:15), you are correct in stating that salvation comes about only through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Giving birth to children is not another means to salvation. So what does that expression mean? Let me pass along these thoughts from the People’s Bible Series for 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus: “Paul has been speaking about the woman’s specific role as given in creation. She had stepped out of that role, had been deceived by Satan and become a sinner. She need not, however, feel deprived or inferior as man’s helper. Salvation is hers, living in the role God had assigned to her. Unique and special in that role is bearing children and the mothering that goes with it. Living according to her God-given role will not in any way deprive her of the salvation that we all have alone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A Christian woman will find genuine fulfillment as she conducts herself according to God’s plan.” (pages 44-45) That clear explanation illustrates why the People’s Bible Series is such a popular resource for Christians.
So, continue living your life in the joy and confidence that, through faith in Jesus, you are a child of God (Galatians 3:26-29)!