A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Timothy 3:15

"And 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." — 2 Timothy 3:15 (ASV)

From a babe (απο βρεφους). Only here in the Pastorals. This teaching from the fifth year, covering the whole of Timothy's recollections. See Mr 9:21 εκ παιδιοθεν, from a child.

Thou has known (οιδας). Present active indicative, progressive perfect reaching from a babe till now. Would that Christian parents took like pains today.

The sacred writings (ιερα γραμματα). "Sacred writings" or "Holy Scriptures." Here alone in N.T., though in Josephus (Proem to Ant. 3; Apion 1, etc.) and in Philo. The adjective ιερος occurs in 1 Corinthians 9:13 of the temple worship, and γραμμα in contrast to πνευμα in 2 Corinthians 3:6f.; Romans 2:29 and in Joh 5:47 of Moses' writings, in Ac 28:21 of an epistle, in Ga 6:11 of letters (characters). In Ephesus there were Εφεσια γραμματα that were βεβηλα (Acts 19:19), not ιερα.

To make thee wise (σε σοφισα). First aorist active infinitive of σοφιζω, old verb (from σοφος), in N.T. only here, and 2 Peter 1:16.

Which is in (της εν). Common idiom with the article, "the in." The use of the Scriptures was not magic, but of value when used "through faith that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:16

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable (πασα γραφη θεοπνευστος κα ωφελιμος). There are two matters of doubt in this clause. One is the absence of the article η before γραφη, whether that makes it mean "every scripture" or "all scripture" as of necessity if present. Unfortunately, there are examples both ways with both πας and γραφη. Twice we find γραφη in the singular without the article and yet definite (1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20). We have πας Ισραηλ (Romans 11:26) for all Israel (Robertson, Grammar, p. 772). So far as the grammatical usage goes, one can render here either "all scripture" or "every scripture." There is no copula (εστιν) in the Greek and so one has to insert it either before the κα or after it. If before, as is more natural, then the meaning is: "All scripture (or every scripture) is inspired of God and profitable." In this form there is a definite assertion of inspiration. That can be true also of the second way, making "inspired of God" descriptive of "every scripture," and putting εστιν (is) after κα: "All scripture (or every scripture), inspired of God, is also profitable."

Inspired of God (θεοπνευστος). "God-breathed." Late word (Plutarch) here only in N.T. Perhaps in contrast to the commandments of men in Tit 1:14.

Profitable (ωφελιμος). See 1 Timothy 4:8. See Ro 15:4. Four examples of προς (facing, with a view to, for): διδασκαλιαν, teaching; ελεγμον, reproof, in LXX and here only in N.T.; επανορθωσιν, correction, old word, from επανορθοω, to set up straight in addition, here only in N.T., with which compare επιδιορθοω in Tit 1:5; παιδειαν, instruction, with which compare Eph 6:4.