from a child - literally, “from an infant.” The tender age of the first dawn of reason is that wherein the most lasting impressions of faith may be made.
holy scriptures - The Old Testament taught by his Jewish mother. An undesigned coincidence with 2Ti 1:5; Act 16:1-3.
able - in themselves: though through men’s own fault they often do not in fact make men savingly alive.
wise unto salvation - that is, wise unto the attainment of salvation. Contrast “folly” (2Ti 3:9). Wise also in extending it to others.
through faith - as the instrument of this wisdom. Each knows divine things only as far as his own experience in himself extends. He who has not faith, has not wisdom or salvation.