Seminare (Dec 2022)
„[Mulier] Salvabitur Per Filiorum Generationem” (1tm 2,15)In The Interpretation Of Selected Worksof The Latin Church Fathers
Abstract
[Γυνή] σωθήσεται δὲ διὰ τῆς τεκνογονίας (1 Timothy 2:15). What does St. Paul mean when he speaks about salvation of women through childbearing? Does the word τεκνογονία mean something more than “motherhood,” or “bearing children”? How do the chosen Latin Church Fathers: Hilary of Poitiers, Ambrose, Ambrosiaster, Jerome, Augustine and Gregory the Great interpret the text of 1 Timothy 2:15? Ambrosiaster limits his commentary to the actual words of St. Paul the Apostle contained in his letter to Timothy. The other writers refrain very decidedly from such a literal interpretation, seeking for a deeper, spiritual meaning of the word τεκνογονία as well as of the other passages of the whole text. In the idea of attaining salvation by giving birth to children, both St. Augustine and St. Gregory the Great, interpret children as good, noble deeds. Hilary, Ambrose and Jerome, in turn, make a typological and allegorical interpretation of the text written by St. Paul the Apostle. The mystery of the creation of Adam and Eve, refers to Christ and the Church. Adam and Eve typify Christ and the Church. The woman saved by childbearing, stands for the Church, which bears people to salvation through baptism.
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