-Most commentators readily admit that this verse is the most difficult to understand of this entire oh-so-difficult section. Barefoot-and-pregnant, right? That’s the misogynistic stereotype which has colored the ethos of cultures throughout the centuries. Centuries and centuries of inequity and abuse and bias which have wreaked untold havoc on the fairer sex, of whom Adam first declared, “At last!” The struggle for equality continues in many circles still today. And in our hyper-sensitive intolerance-phobic pendulum-swinging over-reactive culture, you wade into these waters at your own risk. Let’s dive right on in!
-Some suggest that Paul here has in mind THE childbirth, that of the Messiah, Jesus, that this is what will ultimately provide salvation for women (as well as men) everywhere, that they should fix their hope and love and holiness on Him. He is the solution to all our problems, including those of redressing gender inequities and of understanding role differences.
-Could it be however that Paul is thinking about the Genesis account which he just mentioned, about how the woman was the one who took (usurped) the lead and led into sin, and that her consequences were related to childbirth and to her interaction with her husband? Childbirth now became extremely painful, an excruciating ordeal. And she was going to want to control her husband, who in turn would be inclined towards being domineering (when he wasn’t being passive or silent). Could Paul here be thinking that instead of holding positions of authoritative leadership in the church that her primary God-ordained role was more related to the home and the bearing (and rearing) of children? He mentions this again in 1Timothy 5.14. Again, it is unlikely that he is only thinking about things there in Ephesus, since he is appealing to the unchanging historical record of God’s design in the Genesis account of Creation and the Fall. But is Paul simply thinking about that act of childbirth - which in another time and place was (and still is) definitely a life-threatening proposition (no epidurals or c-sections!) - and that an attitude of faith will carry a woman through that literal labor of love?
-Could it be that Paul is suggesting that the highest calling for a woman would in fact be that of Motherhood, as opposed to leading out in the church? Yeah, I know, that sounds incredibly old-fashioned and restictive to modern ears. Chauvinistic. Patriarchal. Repressive. Misogyny run amok. But we should not ever undersell or underestimate the foundational importance and priceless value... of Mom. Surely it is the most powerful discipleship role on the planet! Biology certainly would suggest that bearing children is indeed the role of woman. The Lord does also seem to clearly indicate in Genesis 2 that her primary calling was to be that perfectly suited helper for the man (Genesis 2.18). There is the interlude before the Lord makes the woman where He has Adam name all the living creatures and in doing so shows Adam that none of those creatures would suffice for a life partner (Genesis 2.19-20). But we knew that was going to be the case. We know that there was always going to be woman. Without her, there was no chance of the whole “be-fruitful-and-multiply” thing happening (Genesis 1.28). And without her, there would have been no family. That’s precisely to what Adam is alluding when he excaims, “At last! Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!” This is about the ultimate start-up! The launch, the establishment of a new family, the fundamental building block of society, an oikos/household/clan where blood truly is thicker than water, one which loves and sticks together through thick and thin (cf 2Samuel 5.1, Genesis 29.13-14; note the implications for the church - Romans 12.5, Ephesians 5.29-32). We are family. And it is not happening if mom isn’t mom. Not in the breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious way it was designed. Designed - not in Cupertino - but in Heaven itself.
-The Letdown. Dumbest job ever. Bleep-ing awful. This is how our culture portrays the “horror of motherhood”. No. No. No. Yes, it is the toughest, most thankless job ever. Marvelous, miraculous, and yes, at times excruciating, horrifying. But there is none more important. I’ll say it again - there is none more important. Because again, Adam ain’t pulling it off without her. Woman - her absence - was the one thing, the only thing in fact, about Paradise which was NOT good. And the fallout in the aftermath of her disobedience drives straight into the very core of the family and of civilization, of the woman’s role as child-bearer, of her relationship with the man, and perhaps most importantly the part she will play in the advent of Messiah, the One Who will come forth from her womb and crush the serpent! Now of course in Paul’s day (as in ours) that has already happened, Messiah had already come and won the victory, but let us make no mistake - our society, the present and future well-being of it and the well-being of the next generation - depends on mom, more than any other. Not on government. Not on social programs or education. Not on liberals, nor on liberation. Some of these can be helpful to be sure, at least to a certain degree. But we all, from the moment of conception, need all the mom we can get. Education begins with mom. Provision begins with mom. Caring and nurture begins with mom. With a big assist from dad, no doubt. And this is not confined to the physical ability to bear children. Most of what mom brings to the table happens outside of the delivery room - being a mom for someone is not only about giving birth to them.
-Surely we need to support and help and appreciate and honor mom all we can. Mom needs help to be mom. And yes, mom needs a lot of faith and love and holiness and self-control to be the mom God has called her to be. But let us not get caught up in the spirit of our age, let us not be dissuaded and discouraged by the voices of the world (and the serpent!) as they try to undermine God’s plan and destroy His beautiful design. Surely there is no higher calling than that of being a mom - let us make no mistake about that.
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