gengwall

Considering that vs. 14 is talking about a specific woman (no one argues this point) who can not be Eve, it seems absolutely clear who “she shall be saved” is pointing to – that very specific woman. There are clear precedents for “they” as well in the preceeding text – it is either the Ephesus congregation or the two people from vs. 12 (which include “she”).

I still lean toward the congregation (sorry Cheryl) because the instruction that Paul gives “they” in vs. 15 repeats the same actions and attitudes Paul has already directed toward the congregation in at least 3 places in the first two chapters. Paul hammers home three simultaneous themes throughout chapters 1 and 2: identifying false teachers, understanding the salvation that is in Christ, and directing the congregation’s behavior toward false teachers in light of that salvation. Verses 14 and 15 contain all three of these themes again, in language Paul has used repeatedly in the letter to this point.

I agree with Cheryl and Paula that it is hardly an issue of English grammar considering the strong evidence for the sensible, logical, and straightforward conclusion that “she” is not a group and “they” is. The text points right at “she”, and rounds up plenty of suspects for “they”.