“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Timothy 3:15 Mean?
Paul reminds Timothy of his childhood advantage: from a child, he has known the holy scriptures. The Scriptures Timothy was raised on — the Old Testament — are able to make him wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The phrase "from a child" emphasizes the value of early formation. Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5) gave him a foundation in Scripture that served him for life.
"Able to make thee wise unto salvation" — the Scriptures have salvific power. Not that reading makes you saved, but that Scripture provides the wisdom that leads to saving faith. The Bible is not just information. It is a pathway to salvation.
"Through faith which is in Christ Jesus" qualifies the salvation. The Scriptures point to Christ. The wisdom they give leads to faith in him. The Old Testament Timothy knew found its fulfillment in the Jesus Timothy would later serve.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What role did early exposure to Scripture play in your faith — or what did its absence cost?
- 2.How are the Scriptures 'able' to produce wisdom rather than just knowledge?
- 3.How does the Old Testament make someone wise unto salvation through faith in Christ?
- 4.What would it look like to invest in Scripture the way Timothy's family invested in him?
Devotional
From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures. Timothy had something many people wish they had: a childhood saturated in Scripture. The words of God were planted in him before he understood their full meaning — and they grew.
Which are able to make thee wise unto salvation. The Scriptures are not just a book of rules or stories. They are able — they have the power — to make you wise. And the wisdom they produce leads to salvation. Not just knowledge. Wisdom — the lived, applied, transformative kind.
Through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The Scriptures Timothy grew up with were the Old Testament. And Paul says they are able to make you wise unto salvation — because they point to Christ. Every law, every prophecy, every story — pointing toward Jesus.
If you were raised in Scripture, do not take it for granted. The seeds planted in childhood produce fruit for a lifetime. And if you were not — it is not too late. The Scriptures are still able. They still make wise. They still lead to salvation through faith in Christ.
What you plant in a child grows. What you plant in yourself grows too. The holy scriptures are the seed. And they are able to do what no other book can.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,.... That is, all holy Scripture; for of that only the apostle is speaking;…
And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures - That is, the Old Testament; for the New Testament was not…
From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures - The early religious education of Timothy has been already…
Here the apostle, to confirm Timothy in that way wherein he walked,
I. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy…
from a child Lit. from a babe; the word occurs four times in St Luke's -Gospel of the Infancy," ch. 1 and 2, and again…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture