From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2Ti 3:15 BSB).
- The priority of teaching the Word of God – “From infancy”
- The purpose of memorizing the Word of God – “you have known the Holy Scriptures”
- The power of understanding the Word of God – “which are able to make you wise”
- The promise of trusting the Word of God – “for salvation through faith”
- The person of worth, on display in the Word of God – “Christ Jesus”
Paul, who wrote these wonderful words to Timothy, apparently knew much of the younger man’s salvation. He calls Timothy “my own son in the faith” (1Ti 1:2). The specifics of his moment of salvation are not mentioned. But in this verse, Paul carefully and accurately describes how the Scriptures played the integral part in Timothy’s coming to the Savior.
Little is mentioned of Timothy’s father. But the influence of his mother and grandmother was of critical importance in his becoming a Christian. What is important to consider is that the “Holy Scriptures” taught to Timothy were the Old Testament books. The inspiration and inerrancy of God’s Word are on full display in these verses (vv15-16). Even the historical, lyrical and prophetic OT passages pointed to a Messiah, a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Of Moses, Jesus said, “He wrote of me” (Joh 5:46). To the two on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, He taught how Moses and the prophets wrote “things concerning himself.” The rich man in hell, in Luke 16, was plainly told that he was there because he had neglected and ignored the OT Scriptures in his father’s house.
If you are reading these words and have (or have had) parents who faithfully read the Bible to you when you were young, be grateful. Their desire was to see you saved. From your earliest days you have memories of hearing Bible verses read to you and stories you will never forget. Specific phrases are forever in your memory, such as, “Prepare to meet your God”; “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin”; “Your sins have separated between you and God”; “He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed”; “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
You can recall the ark of God in Noah’s day, assuring safety from God’s wrath. You remember the Passover blood on the door, guaranteeing safety from the destroyer. Consider again the serpent on the pole, guaranteeing healing from the poison of the serpent. These true stories and so many others point to the cross where an innocent and loving Savior willingly offered His life in sacrifice so that sinners could go free.
If you have been blessed by hearing the Word of God since your infancy and have trusted this Savior as having died for you, thank God. And if you have had this blessing but are still not saved, remember these lessons and go over them often. God has allowed you to hear them, learn them and remember them. They are still “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
