godly background would have assured that he began the study at a proper age.43 Paul used a rare term in his reference to the “holy Scriptures.” Used only here in the New Testament, the phrase literally means sacred writings (hiera grammata).44 Josephus used the identical term in referring to the Old Testament.45 The phrase may have been used to stress the sacred character of Timothy’s learning as an utter contrast to the mindless heresies of the false teachers (see 3:8).46 Paul’s use of the