2 Timothy 3 15

2 Timothy 3:15 kjv

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.

2 Timothy 3:15 nkjv

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 niv

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 esv

and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 nlt

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 15 Meaning

2 Timothy 3:15 declares that Timothy, from his early years, had a deep knowledge of the sacred writings, specifically the Old Testament. These divinely consecrated texts possess an inherent power to impart true wisdom that culminates in salvation. Crucially, this saving wisdom is realized and experienced only through personal faith, which is actively placed in Christ Jesus Himself. Thus, the Old Testament scriptures serve as a foundational guide, directing individuals towards the ultimate Savior revealed therein.

2 Timothy 3 15 Context

The immediate context of 2 Timothy 3:15 is rooted in Paul's solemn warning concerning the moral degradation and widespread apostasy anticipated in the latter days (2 Tim 3:1-9). Following this somber prediction, Paul pivots to exhort Timothy to remain steadfast in the sound teaching he had received (2 Tim 3:10-14). He reminds Timothy not only of Paul's personal example of perseverance amidst suffering but, more significantly, of Timothy's own firm foundation laid during his formative years. Verse 15 thus sets the stage for Paul's profound declaration in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 about the divine inspiration and comprehensive usefulness of all Scripture for spiritual growth and equipping. The broader purpose of 2 Timothy is Paul’s urgent final exhortation to his protégé to uphold truth, faithfully discharge his ministry, and endure in the face of burgeoning false teachings and impending persecution. This verse underscores the deep, life-shaping influence of God’s Word from an early age, equipping Timothy for faithful service.

2 Timothy 3 15 Word analysis

• and that from childhood (Greek: kai hoti apo brephous):

  • brephous (genitive of brephos): Literally "a baby" or "an infant." This highlights the very early age at which Timothy's instruction in the Scriptures began, indicating that it was not merely academic but deeply ingrained from infancy within his home, consistent with 2 Tim 1:5 about his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.

• you have known (Greek: sas oidas):

  • oidas (perfect active indicative of oida): Signifies a deep, intuitive, and experiential knowledge, rather than mere intellectual apprehension. It means Timothy possessed a familiar and settled understanding of the Scriptures, forged over years of immersion.

• the sacred writings (Greek: ta hiera grammata):

  • hiera: "sacred," "holy," denoting their unique, divinely consecrated nature.
  • grammata: "writings," specifically a collection of written documents.
  • This phrase unequivocally refers to the Old Testament Scriptures that Timothy, being from a devout Jewish background, would have been taught. It distinguishes them from ordinary human texts by emphasizing their holy origin.

• which are able (Greek: ta dynamena):

  • dynamena (present participle of dynamai): "having the power," "being capable." This denotes the inherent, active, and dynamic capacity of the Scriptures themselves to achieve their purpose, being endowed with divine efficacy.

• to give you wisdom (Greek: se sophisai):

  • sophisai (aorist infinitive of sophizō): "to make wise," "to instruct." Biblical wisdom here refers not to intellectual knowledge alone, but to practical spiritual discernment—the ability to apply God's truth to life and live righteously.

• that leads to salvation (Greek: eis sōtērian):

  • eis: "into," "unto," signifying purpose, goal, or direction. The ultimate purpose of the wisdom derived from the Scriptures is the profound deliverance encompassed by salvation – redemption from sin and eternal life.

• through faith (Greek: dia pisteōs):

  • dia: "through," "by means of," denoting the essential instrument. The Scriptures themselves do not automatically save; rather, active, personal faith is the means by which the wisdom they impart leads to salvation.

• which is in Christ Jesus (Greek: tēs en Christō Iēsou):

  • en: "in," indicating the sphere or object of faith. The saving faith is specifically centered on, grounded in, and united with the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Messiah to whom the Scriptures testify.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "from childhood you have known the sacred writings": Emphasizes the crucial significance of early and continuous immersion in God's written Word for laying a deep, spiritual foundation in a believer's life, echoing the Jewish tradition of early biblical instruction within the home.
  • "sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom": Highlights the inherent, dynamic power of Scripture, due to its divine origin, to impart spiritual wisdom (not merely human knowledge) that genuinely impacts life and godliness, setting it apart from all other literature.
  • "wisdom that leads to salvation through faith": Clarifies that the ultimate purpose and highest attainment of scriptural wisdom is spiritual salvation. This salvation is not achieved by wisdom alone but is actualized through a conscious, personal act of trusting belief.
  • "faith which is in Christ Jesus": Crucially specifies the singular object of saving faith. While the Old Testament scriptures lead one towards salvation by revealing God’s plan, salvation is ultimately realized only through faith directed explicitly towards Jesus Christ, who fulfills and embodies all that the "sacred writings" prophesy and promise.

2 Timothy 3 15 Bonus section

The distinction between ta hiera grammata (sacred writings) in verse 15 and pasa graphe (all Scripture) in verse 16 is significant. Verse 15 speaks of the Scriptures Timothy knew from his childhood—primarily the Old Testament, the established Jewish canon. Verse 16 then broadens this, declaring all (every) Scripture—now including the emerging New Testament writings recognized by the apostles—as "God-breathed" and wholly sufficient for the complete equipping of a believer. This progression highlights the preparation offered by the Old Testament for Christ, and the full sufficiency of the entire biblical canon for life and godliness. The verse also underscores the indispensable role of the home and familial spiritual nurturing in a child's formation, establishing the vital precedent for multi-generational transmission of faith through the Word. The "wisdom that leads to salvation" explicitly contrasts with human philosophies or intellectual pursuits that lack the power to redeem.

2 Timothy 3 15 Commentary

2 Timothy 3:15 provides a profound insight into the lifelong impact and saving efficacy of the Old Testament Scriptures. It teaches that Timothy's early, intensive exposure to these "sacred writings" during his "childhood" (infancy) prepared him for salvation. The Scriptures are not mere human texts but possess inherent divine power ("are able") to impart genuine wisdom. This wisdom is not for worldly gain, but precisely "leads to salvation," the ultimate spiritual deliverance. Crucially, this verse stresses that salvation does not come simply from intellectual knowledge of the Scriptures, but "through faith," which must be singularly "in Christ Jesus." The Old Testament, therefore, functions as a divine guide, pointing the way to the Messiah. This verse powerfully underscores the Christian's dual reliance on God’s Word and personal faith in Christ as the foundation for true salvation and enduring godliness, making Scripture the precursor and Christ the consummation.

• Examples for practical usage:
  • Parents prioritize Bible story reading and prayer from a child's earliest years, trusting the Spirit to use the Word to sow seeds of wisdom and faith.
  • Youth ministry curricula integrate teachings from the entire Bible, showing how the Old Testament consistently foreshadows and explains Jesus Christ.
  • Individuals grappling with false teachings find refuge and clarity by continually returning to and relying on the timeless truth of the Scriptures as they reveal Christ.