And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
And {G2532} that {G3754} from {G575} a child {G1025} thou hast known {G1492} the holy {G2413} scriptures {G1121}, which {G3588} are able {G1410} to make {G4679} thee {G4571} wise {G4679} unto {G1519} salvation {G4991} through {G1223} faith {G4102} which {G3588} is in {G1722} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}.
and recalling too how from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which can give you the wisdom that leads to deliverance through trusting in Yeshua the Messiah.
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
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Psalms 119:98
¶ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [are] ever with me. -
Psalms 119:99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation. -
Luke 24:45
Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, -
Proverbs 22:6
¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. -
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. -
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost. -
Matthew 22:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Context of 2 Timothy 3:15
This verse is part of Paul's second epistle to Timothy, his spiritual son and a young leader in the early church. Written during Paul's final imprisonment, likely just before his death, the letter serves as an urgent charge and encouragement to Timothy to remain faithful to sound doctrine amidst increasing apostasy and moral decay. In the preceding verses (2 Timothy 3:1-9), Paul warns about the perilous times and the character of wicked people who will oppose the truth. Verse 15 then serves as a crucial contrast, highlighting the antidote to such spiritual decline: the enduring power and truth of the "holy scriptures" which Timothy had known from his childhood.
Paul here reminds Timothy of his spiritual heritage, which was rooted in the faith of his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:5). This early exposure to the Old Testament scriptures provided a firm foundation against the deceptive influences Paul describes.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "holy scriptures" translates the Greek hiera grammata (ἱερὰ γράμματα), which literally means "sacred writings." This term specifically refers to the Old Testament, the Jewish scriptures that Timothy would have learned from his mother and grandmother. The adjective "holy" emphasizes their divine origin and sacred character, setting them apart from all other writings.
The phrase "wise unto salvation" (σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν - sophisai eis sōtērian) indicates a specific, profound wisdom that leads to deliverance and eternal life. It's not just about gaining information, but about acquiring the spiritual understanding necessary to apprehend God's redemptive plan and embrace it through faith.
Practical Application
This verse holds timeless relevance for believers today:
Ultimately, 2 Timothy 3:15 serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of God's Word to guide individuals to saving faith in Jesus Christ, a truth further emphasized in the following verse about the divine inspiration of all scripture.