Introduction:  God told Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…" (Gen. 1: 28, 3: 20). Jesus the Son of God was born of a woman (Matt. 1: 18-25). Hence, the flesh is not materially evil. Most are aware that there is what appears to be an innate desire within the woman to produce life. Many also have a natural desire to nurture and give love. Some who were important players in the women's movements have now stated that the most important role woman can have is that of mother and homemaker. 

  A. According to the Bible, the primary role of the woman pertains to the family (involving marriage). After stating that the role of the woman is not that of public teacher or preacher over men, Paul wrote the following: "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety" (I Tim. 2: 12-16).

  B. I do not believe Paul is making the woman's salvation simply contingent on being able to reproduce, but he is addressing the basic design, function, and need of the woman.

  C. There is no manifest effort or design seen in I Timothy 2: 8-15 to belittle woman or present her as generally inferior to man. The point is: each, man and woman, have a design and in keeping with that design there is role assignment (cp. I Cor. 11: 7, 9, 12).

    a. There is a natural dependence seen in the woman and the man (I Cor. 11: 11).

  D. Motherhood involves "natural affection" (cp. 2 Tim. 3: 3; however, such natural affection does not mean there is no need for love being taught, especially in the sense of proper expression, Tit. 2: 4).

  A. Paul instructs older women to teach the younger thus, "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home…" (Tit. 2: 5).

  B. The term "keepers at home" (oikourgous) is literally "home worker." Allow me to immediately inject that the Bible does not simply condemn a married mother working in secular pursuits (cp. Prov. 31: 16, 24). However, the Bible does teach that the woman is to put first her home and family (cp. Eph. 5: 22-33).

  C. It is sad that a large percent of women think they just want to be career oriented. Many of these women realize later that they are missing out on the most fulfilling experience, motherhood and being a keeper of the home (Prov. 31: 10-31, Tit. 2: 5, Ps. 127: 3).

  D. There can be many matters involved in the keeping of the home.

    a. See that the family is properly dressed (Prov. 31: 13).

    b. Attend to the nutritional needs of the family (Prov. 31: 15).

    c. She participates in the spiritual training of the children (Prov. 1: 8, 6: 20-24, 23: 24, 25). The mother is also to be an authority figure in the matter of children (Prov. 30: 17).

    d. She is to observe the placement of authority and role positioning in the structure of the family unity and be an example to the children, both male and female (Eph. 5: 22ff.)

    e. She watches over the family in general (Prov. 31: 27).