Note 16 at 2 Tim. 3:15: The Scriptures were probably taught to Timothy as a child by his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Tim. 1:5). It was Jewish custom for the Scriptures to be taught to the children and parts were to be committed to memory. Although Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage, his mother being a Jewess and his father a Greek (Acts 16:1-3), Timothy had been pointed to the way of saving faith in the Messiah through the Scriptures.

This is an illustration of the promise in Proverbs 22:6 that when we train up a child in the way he should go, he will not depart from it. The scripture is an essential part of child training.

Note 17 at 2 Tim. 3:15: Paul's use of the word "holy" in combination with the word "scriptures" is significant. The word "scripture" means, "a sacred writing, especially the Bible" (NAHD). The word "holy" means, "of or associated with a divine power. . ." (NAHD). Paul is stressing that the scripture is divinely inspired.

This is a fundamental belief. The very first temptation challenged the accuracy of God's Word. Satan didn't come against Eve through a Mammoth and try to intimidate her. He came through the most subtle animal and deceived her. And the first thing he attacked was what God had said (Gen. 3:1). The very reason he spoke to Eve instead of Adam was because God's command not to eat of the tree was given to Adam before Eve was created (Gen. 2:16-17). God's command was second hand information to Eve and therefore, she had a greater tendency to disbelieve. They would not have sinned if they would have believed in the infallibility of God's Word.

The Bible is different than all other writings. The writers of scripture were not only communicating ideas that came from God, but the Holy Spirit was working through them to express those ideas accurately through every single word. This is what Paul believed. He based his arguments in the letter to the Galatians on just one letter (s) of one word in the Old Testament scriptures (see note 22 at Gal. 3:16, p. 1068). He believed the scriptures were inspired down to individual letters of each word.

Modern theology has deviated from this absolute faith in the infallibility of scripture and thereby the faith of many has no firm foundation. Some argue that the original writings were inspired to the last word but that we've lost that in the translations. Paul didn't believe that. He didn't have the original writings. He was basing his faith on a translation of the Old Testament scriptures called the Septuagint. Jesus also quoted from the Septuagint and called it scripture and said it could not be broken (Jn. 10:34-35).

God not only divinely communicated the original writings but He preserved the inspiration through the translations. At least that can be said to be true of the Septuagint because of Jesus' and Paul's total belief in it. Certainly, God would do no less for us today. The message of God's Word has been preserved for us today.

Note 18 at 2 Tim. 3:15: God's Word makes us wise unto salvation. Salvation is an all inclusive word that refers to more than just the forgiveness of our sins (see note 7 at Acts 2:21, p. 580). It refers to everything God has provided for us through the atonement of Christ. In 2 Peter 1:3 says God has, "given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. . . ." In verse four Peter said that God's knowledge gave us the promises or scripture. So, everything we need comes from a knowledge of the scripture.

Those who base their beliefs on things other than the scripture are in danger. Their assumptions may or may not square with the teachings of God's Word. Everything should be checked against the Word of God for accuracy. If it contradicts God's Word, it's wrong. "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD" (Prov. 21:30).