2 Timothy 3:15

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅτι that G3754
ὅτι that
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 2 of 20
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 3 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
βρέφους a child G1025
βρέφους a child
Strong's: G1025
Word #: 4 of 20
an infant (properly, unborn) literally or figuratively
τῆς which G3588
τῆς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱερὰ the holy G2413
ἱερὰ the holy
Strong's: G2413
Word #: 6 of 20
sacred
γράμματα scriptures G1121
γράμματα scriptures
Strong's: G1121
Word #: 7 of 20
a writing, i.e., a letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning
οἶδας thou hast known G1492
οἶδας thou hast known
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 8 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τῆς which G3588
τῆς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμενά are able G1410
δυνάμενά are able
Strong's: G1410
Word #: 10 of 20
to be able or possible
σε thee G4571
σε thee
Strong's: G4571
Word #: 11 of 20
thee
σοφίσαι to make G4679
σοφίσαι to make
Strong's: G4679
Word #: 12 of 20
to render wise; in a sinister acceptation, to form "sophisms", i.e., continue plausible error
εἰς unto G1519
εἰς unto
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 13 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
σωτηρίαν salvation G4991
σωτηρίαν salvation
Strong's: G4991
Word #: 14 of 20
rescue or safety (physically or morally)
διὰ through G1223
διὰ through
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 15 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πίστεως faith G4102
πίστεως faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 16 of 20
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ
τῆς which G3588
τῆς which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν is in G1722
ἐν is in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 18 of 20
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
Χριστῷ Christ G5547
Χριστῷ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 19 of 20
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 20 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Analysis & Commentary

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. Paul identifies the foundation of Timothy's faith: Scripture. "From a child" (apo breephous, ἀπὸ βρέφους)—brephos (βρέφος) means infant, baby, very young child. Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois taught him Scripture from earliest childhood (1:5). This models the crucial importance of early biblical instruction, shaping young minds before competing worldviews take root.

"The holy scriptures" (ta hiera grammata, τὰ ἱερὰ γράμματα). Hieros (ἱερός) means sacred, holy—set apart for God. Grammata (γράμματα) means writings, letters, documents. Paul refers to the Old Testament Scriptures Timothy learned as a Jewish child. These Scriptures are "able to make thee wise unto salvation" (ta dynamenasé sophisai eis sōtērian, τὰ δυνάμενά σε σοφίσαι εἰς σωτηρίαν). The verb sophizō (σοφίζω) means make wise, instruct, give insight. Eis sōtērian (εἰς σωτηρίαν) means unto salvation—not merely intellectual knowledge but saving wisdom.

Critically, salvation comes "through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (dia pisteōs tēs en Christō Iēsou, διὰ πίστεως τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ). Scripture alone doesn't save—it makes wise unto salvation by pointing to Christ, whom we embrace through faith. The Old Testament testified to Christ (Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39), and Timothy's childhood Scripture knowledge prepared him to recognize Jesus as Messiah. This refutes both salvation by Scripture knowledge alone (intellectualism) and salvation apart from Scripture (mysticism). Scripture reveals Christ; faith unites to Christ; union with Christ saves.

Historical Context

Devout Jewish families taught Torah to children from earliest age. Mothers bore primary responsibility for young children's religious education. Timothy, having Jewish mother but Greek father, received Torah instruction from his mother and grandmother despite his father's likely disinterest. This early foundation prepared Timothy to recognize Jesus as Torah's fulfillment when Paul preached the gospel. The principle remains valid: early biblical instruction creates framework for later gospel response. Children raised on Scripture have enormous advantage over those encountering it only as adults.

Questions for Reflection

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