thanks always for all things unto Cod and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephes ians 5:20). This includes being grateful for that which He has provided for us to eat (I Thessa- lonians 5:18). Q. Denver, Col. "/ am confused by the passage that reads in part, 'She shall be saved in childbear ing' (I Timothy 2:15). Can you help me understand that?" A. It is certainly not a verse which indicates that there might possibly be yet another way of salvation. The only way we can be accept able in God's sight is through the perfect righteousness of Christ. The context from the previous verses will help to explain the aspect of childbearing. Women have been instructed to learn in silence with all subjection. Paul goes on to state, "And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and char ity and holiness with sobriety." There are two possible interpreta tions to this subject. The reference has been to Adam and Eve, and the latter was the one who was deceived. Eve was saved, as all were before the cross, looking for ward to the Child who would come. This is certainly true. For even the Virgin Mary had to be saved in the same manner as Eve did. The other thought centers around the pas sage talking about a woman usurp ing authority. This is not a safe position for any female. We be lieve the passage teaches that women should not go usurping authority. As daughters of Eve they should refrain from over-stepping
the God-given bounds by occupy ing themselves with the training of the children in the home and providing a proper household pro gram. Q. Tucson, Ariz. "What did Jesus do between the age of 12 and 30 when He started His ministry?" A. The answer could be quite sim ple in that no one really knows. Scripture simply tells us, "And Jesus increased in wisdom, and stature, and in favour with Cod and man." Those 18 years are sometimes known as the "silent" period in our Lord's life. The sig nificant part of Christ's life re volved around the last three years of His ministry on earth until He was crucified. Q. Wasco, Calif. "What does the word 'sinew' mean as it is used in Genesis 32:32?" A. This is the interesting account of Jacob returning from Messopo- tamia from Pandanaram as he was on his way back to meet his es tranged brother Esau. On the way he wrestled with the preincarnate coming Messiah. The place was called in Hebrew "The face of Cod." His battle was not with an ordinary man but with the Almighty in human form. He was going to have to learn that in the power of his strength it would take just a touch from deity to bring him to a place of utter helplessness and need. The sinew is a sciatic nerve which is in the hollow or the side of the thigh. It is a very sensitive place and ordinarily provides man with strength. The lesson comes that when man thinks he has pre vailed in his own strength, Cod Page 21
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