2 Timothy 3:15

Context

Second Timothy has traditionally been regarded as a letter from Paul to Timothy. Tradition holds that Paul wrote it near the end of his life while imprisoned in Rome. Chapter 3 first warns of "perilous times" in "the last days" and of false teachers (vv. 1–9). It then urges Timothy to follow Paul's teaching and his example of life amid persecution, and to "continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of" (vv. 10–14). Verse 15 grounds this exhortation in the fact that Timothy had known the Scriptures from childhood: "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."

Timothy's mother was a Jewish woman who believed (Acts 16:1). The letter also mentions the faith of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). Immediately after this verse come verses 16–17, which declare that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God."

Interpretation

The Greek expression rendered "holy scriptures" here, hiera grammata, means "sacred writings." Most commentators take it to refer to the Jewish scriptures Timothy learned as a child, that is, what is now the Old Testament. The Greek phrase behind "from a child" means "from infancy."

• Christ-centered reading: This reading holds that Scripture itself does not save. Rather, the wisdom Scripture imparts leads to salvation "through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Many Protestant interpreters read this verse as evidence that the Old Testament also points to Christ.
• Reformed reading: The Reformed tradition frequently cites this verse, together with verses 16–17, in support of the sufficiency of Scripture—the teaching that Scripture fully contains the knowledge necessary for salvation.
• Religious education perspective: This reading regards the instruction in the faith that Timothy received at home from his mother and grandmother as a model, and accordingly treats the verse as support for the importance of teaching Scripture in childhood.

Questions of Application

There is little notable controversy among denominations over this verse itself. However, because the very next verse, verse 16, is central to discussions of the inspiration of Scripture and biblical inerrancy, the two verses are often treated together.

The "scriptures" here originally referred to the Old Testament. Some therefore point out that applying the verse directly to the whole of today's Bible, including the New Testament, requires theological explanation.

There is also the question of authorship. Some critical scholars hold that Second Timothy and the other Pastoral Epistles were written at a later date by a disciple of Paul. The traditional position holds that Paul wrote them.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, the verse is often cited in sermons emphasizing the faith formation of the next generation. It is used especially in connection with Sunday school and family worship, and it also serves as a Scripture memorization verse.

Related Passages

• 2 Timothy 1:5
• 2 Timothy 3:16–17
• Deuteronomy 6:6–9
• Luke 24:44–46
• John 5:39