2 Timothy 3:15 - All Scripture is God-Breathed

From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures
This phrase highlights the early and foundational exposure to the Scriptures that Timothy experienced. In the Jewish tradition, children were taught the Torah from a young age, emphasizing the importance of Scripture in daily life. Timothy's mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, were devout Jews who instilled in him a deep respect and understanding of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:5). This early education laid a strong spiritual foundation, illustrating the importance of teaching children the Word of God from a young age (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

which are able to make you wise for salvation
The Scriptures are described as having the power to impart wisdom that leads to salvation. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but spiritual, guiding individuals to understand God's plan for redemption. The Old Testament, which Timothy would have been familiar with, contains prophecies and types that point to the coming Messiah, offering insights into God's redemptive work (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22). The wisdom gained from the Scriptures is transformative, leading to a life aligned with God's will (Proverbs 2:6).

through faith in Christ Jesus
Salvation is ultimately achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God's plan for humanity's redemption. The Scriptures point to Christ as the central figure in God's redemptive history (Luke 24:27). Faith in Christ is the means by which the wisdom of the Scriptures is actualized in the believer's life, leading to salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). This phrase underscores the necessity of faith in Jesus as the cornerstone of Christian belief and the culmination of the scriptural narrative.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of the Apostle Paul, Timothy was raised in a godly household where he was taught the Scriptures from a young age.

2. Paul
The Apostle who wrote this letter to Timothy, offering guidance and encouragement as Timothy led the church in Ephesus.

3. Holy Scriptures
Refers to the Old Testament writings that Timothy was taught, which laid the foundation for understanding salvation through Jesus Christ.

4. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was serving as a church leader, known for its diverse culture and challenges to the early Christian community.

5. Faith in Christ Jesus
The central tenet of Christian belief, emphasizing trust and reliance on Jesus for salvation.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Early Scripture Education
Teaching children the Scriptures from a young age lays a foundation for lifelong faith and wisdom. Parents and guardians should prioritize biblical education in the home.

Scripture as a Source of Wisdom
The Scriptures are not just historical texts but are living and active, providing wisdom that leads to salvation. Believers should engage with the Bible regularly to grow in understanding and faith.

Faith in Christ as the Fulfillment of Scripture
The Old Testament Scriptures point to the coming of Christ, and understanding them enhances our appreciation of Jesus' role in salvation. Christians should study both the Old and New Testaments to see the full picture of God's redemptive plan.

Role of Family in Spiritual Development
Timothy's faith was nurtured by his family, highlighting the significant role that family plays in spiritual growth. Families should create environments that encourage spiritual discussions and learning.

Application of Scripture in Daily Life
Believers are called to apply the wisdom of Scripture in their daily lives, making decisions and living in a way that reflects their faith in Christ. This involves both personal study and communal worship.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 3How can we effectively preach the gospel today?How does the Bible become oversimplified for children?What does "Perspicuity of Scripture" mean?What defines an evangelical Christian?

(15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures.--The Greek words translated "from a child" should be rendered, from a very child, as the word denotes that Timothy's instruction in the Holy Scriptures began at a very early and tender age.

The holy scriptures.--Literally, the sacred writings. The Scriptures of the Old Testament are here exclusively meant. The expression "writings" for the Scriptures is not found elsewhere in the New Testament; it is, however, used by Josephus.

Two powerful arguments have been here used by the Apostle to induce Timothy to remain steadfast to the great doctrines of faith, and neither to take anything from them or to add anything to them. The first presses upon him the source whence he had learned them. He, better than any one, knew who and what St. Paul was, and the position he held with his brother Apostles, as one who had been in direct communication with the Lord Himself; and the second reminded him of his own early training, under his pious mother. He appealed, as it were, to Timothy's own deep knowledge of those Old Testament Scriptures. St. Paul's disciple would know that the great Christian doctrines respecting the Messiah were all based strictly on these Old Testament writings. Timothy had a double reason for keeping to the old paths pointed out by the first generation of teachers. He knew the authority of the master who instructed him; and then, from his own early and thorough knowledge of the Scriptures of the Jews, he was able to test thoroughly whether or no his master's teaching was in accordance with those sacred documents.

Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.--The present participle rendered by "which are able" is noticeable, being here used to express the ever-present power of the Scriptures on the human heart. The Holy Scriptures had not completed their work on Timothy when, in his boyhood, he first mastered their contents. It was still going on. "Wise unto salvation" marks the glorious end and destination of the true wisdom which is gained by a study of these sacred books. Other wisdom has a different goal. In some cases it leads to power, fame, wealth; but this wisdom leads only to one goal--salvation. The last clause--"through faith which is in Christ Jesus"--points out the only way to use these Scriptures of the old covenant so as to attain through them the goal of all true wisdom--"eternal salvation." They must be read and studied in the light of faith in Jesus Christ. "Those (Old Testament) Scriptures, he (St. Paul) granteth, were able to make him wise unto salvation;" but, he addeth, "through the faith which is in Christ" (Hooker, Ecc. Polity, i. 14, 4). Faith in Jesus must be the torch by the light of which these ancient prophecies and types must be read.

Verse 15. - Babe for child, A.V.; sacred writings for Holy Scriptures, A.V. And that from a babe, etc. Another consideration urged as a reason for standing fast. He was no novice in the Scriptures. His mother and grandmother had been careful to imbue him with that sacred literature which should make him wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, from his very earliest years. Surely he would not throw away such a precious advantage. The sacred writings (τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα); literally, the holy letters, or learning. An ordinarily educated child learns γράμματα (John 7:15), in contradistinction to the uneducated, who are ἀγράμματοι (Acts 4:13). But Timothy had learnt τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα, whose excellence is described in the next verse. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

From
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

infancy
βρέφους (brephous)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1025: Infant, babe, child in arms. Of uncertain affinity; an infant literally or figuratively.

you have known
οἶδας (oidas)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Holy
ἱερὰ (hiera)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2413: Sacred, holy, set apart. Of uncertain affinity; sacred.

Scriptures,
γράμματα (grammata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning.

which
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

are able
δυνάμενά (dynamena)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to make you wise
σοφίσαι (sophisai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4679: From sophos; to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form 'sophisms', i.e. Continue plausible error.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

salvation
σωτηρίαν (sōtērian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4991: Feminine of a derivative of soter as noun; rescue or safety.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

faith
πίστεως (pisteōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ
Χριστῷ (Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus.
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

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