2 Timothy 3:15
What does 2 Timothy 3:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 3:15 means
Timothy had known the “sacred writings” from infancy, and Paul affirms their power: they make one “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Scripture imparts the wisdom that leads to salvation, but the saving instrument is faith in Christ Jesus. The Old Testament, read rightly, points forward to Him; the gospel reveals Him clearly. Timothy’s lifelong exposure to God’s Word is a grace to be cherished and continued. The Bible is not merely moral instruction; it is God’s revelation that brings sinners to Christ and shapes believers by directing them to trust, love, and obey Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known, which are able to make thee wise--to salvation, through faith that <FI>is<Fi> in Christ Jesus;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures which can instruct thee to salvation by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which [is] in Christ Jesus.
Context
Following the call to abide (verse 14), Paul appeals to Timothy’s early formation in Scripture to strengthen his resolve. This transitions smoothly to verses 16–17, where Paul will explain why Scripture has such power: it is inspired by God and thoroughly equips God’s servants. The flow shows a progression—from trustworthy teachers, to the saving aim of Scripture, to its divine origin and practical usefulness in building a complete servant of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Samuel 2:18
But Samuel ministered before Jehovah, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
- Luke 24:32
And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?
- 1 John 5:11
And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
- Acts 13:38
Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
- 2 Chronicles 34:3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images.
- 2 Peter 3:16
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 2 Timothy 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 2 Timothy 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Biblical Inerrancy
Biblical inerrancy is the belief that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is without error or fault in all of its teachings.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Inspiration of Scripture
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, breathed out by Him and useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
What the Bible says about…