1TIM. 2:15 SWQHSETAI

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Fri Jun 7 07:05:20 EDT 2002


>
>  ". . . Paul regularly (especially in the Pastorals) uses SWiZW
> to refer to
> eschatological salvation."
>
> Then on the very next page while discussing 1TIM. 2:15:
>
> ". . . the meaning of SWiZW in Paul, where without exception it refers to
> eschatological salvation."
>
> So in less than one page we have progressed from a regularity to an
> absolute. How can something be regular and apply "especially in the
> Pastorals" which is made into an absolute statement in the same context?

That second statement is certainly problematic. I won't comment on
Schreiner, but briefly on the semantic range of SWiZW in the NT.

First, I would make a distinction between
1) physical salvation/healing/restoration and
2) spiritual salvation/healing/restoration.

Sense 1) is common in the Gospels, Acts and also found in James and Jude.
Paul never uses the word in this sense.

Sense 2) is found in the Gospels, but not common. It is very common in Acts,
Paul and other letters.

Sense 2) can focus on the
a) entry into spiritual salvation here on earth (beginning salvation) or
b) the final entry into spiritual salvation at the end of times.

If by eschatological salvation 2b) is meant, which I assume, then it would
be wrong to say Paul only uses the word in sense 2b. However, if
"eschatological salvation" is broadened to mean sense 2a or 2b, i.e.
"spiritual salvation" it would be correct. Paul only uses the word in sense
2), never in sense 1).

This is relevant for 1 Tim 2:15, since it would be against Pauline usage to
refer to the physical sense of being kept alive or being unharmed through
child birth, that is, sense 1) above.

1 Tim 4:16 is also sense 2b) as I believe is 1 Tim 2:15.

Iver Larsen




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