We read in 2 Timothy 3:15, “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 was encouraging Timothy to continue living and teaching the things pertaining to Jesus Christ. He wanted Timothy to remember all that he had been taught when he was growing up. In 2 Timothy 1:5, Timothy was reminded of the wonderful faith that his mother and grandmother had. In 2 Timothy 1:13, he was reminded that those things were sound words in Christ Jesus. In 2 Timothy 2:2, he was encouraged to teach those things to other people.
In 2 Timothy 3:14, Timothy was reminded that he was assured of these things at one time, and he was reminded of those who taught him and brought this assurance. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul commanded Timothy to use the Word to reprove, to rebuke and to exhort other Christians. Timothy was to use the Scriptures for this purpose because they were given to him for that purpose (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
In the midst of this encouragement and reminder to Timothy is the verse quoted above. Notice that Timothy was taught the truth from the time he was a “child.” The Greek word used indicates the teaching began when he was a baby. In fact, the word can refer to the baby still in the mother’s womb. Timothy’s mother and grandmother did not wait until he was old enough to understand. There was no such thinking in them that Timothy was too young at any point in his life to be taught God’s Scriptures.
The second word to be considered is the word “known.” This comes from a Greek word that indicates not just being aware of something but knowing through experience. This word indicates that rather than just being taught and learning facts, the learner has also experienced the things taught or the application of those things. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were not hypocrites with their teaching. They did not teach Timothy one thing and then practice another thing. They lived what they taught. Timothy grew up knowing they were faithful to their teachings. Timothy saw the same principles in Paul.
Study your Bible. Learn everything you can from God. Teach those things to others, particularly your own children when you are an adult. Most importantly, live those things in your life. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
