2 Timothy 2:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.

NIV: who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.

NASB: men who have gone astray from the truth, claiming that the resurrection has already taken place; and they are jeopardizing the faith of some.

CSB: They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some.

NLT: They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

KJV: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

NKJV: who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

Hymenaeus and Philetus are mentioned as part of a group from Ephesus who had deviated from the "sound teachings" Paul mentioned earlier (2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Timothy 6:21). One specific error coming from these men was their claim "that the resurrection has already happened." Paul addressed a similar problem to the Thessalonian Christians, teaching, "For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep" (1 Thessalonians 4:15). He had to remind them that the resurrection had not taken place yet. When it does take place, the dead in Christ will rise first followed by all living believers (1 Thessalonians 4:17). This was to be an encouragement to believers, not a source of controversy (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

This false teaching about the resurrection was causing a crisis of faith for some of the less-savvy Christians in Ephesus. Not every Christian in Ephesus was fooled by this false teaching, but some were. It had become a large enough problem for Paul to address in both 1 and 2 Timothy, and is still on his mind while in prison and expecting to soon die. He stood firmly against false teaching, even in his last days, and instructed Timothy to do the same.

Second Timothy 2:14–26 contains Paul's instructions to Timothy about leading other believers. Two important themes here are avoiding pointless bickering and holding to sound biblical teachings. Arguments over non-essential issues quickly turn into feuds, poisoning the body of Christ just as gangrene attacks the physical body. Paul names specific false teachers, but brings a note of compassion. Here, he reminds Timothy that gentleness and patience are key. After all, those who do not believe are not our enemies: they are those we are trying to rescue from the control of the Devil!

Paul gives Timothy a clear mandate to defend the truth. This includes both upholding the gospel accurately, and presenting that defense in a gentle and loving way. While truth is important, Paul also notes that there are some issues which are only distractions. He considers these "babble," and arguments over them a form of spiritual disease. Like gangrene, this bickering only spreads and spreads until it becomes catastrophic. The ultimate goal of our evangelism is not to "win" an argument, but to rescue lost people.

In chapter 1, Paul gave Timothy encouragement by reminding him of his heritage and spiritual power. Here, in chapter 2, Paul expands on these commands. Rather than giving minute details, Paul presents a series of examples and tells Timothy to consider them carefully. Paul's instructions here set the stage for the warnings coming up in the next chapter. Timothy—and all believers—need to be prepared and right-minded, because the world is going to become spiritually darker and darker.

Second Timothy is the last New Testament letter written by Paul. Paul writes these words while awaiting execution by Rome. At this time, around AD 67, Timothy was leading the church in Ephesus. Paul writes to Timothy in order to encourage him. Paul is facing the worst of all hardships: his own impending death. So, he encourages Timothy to stand strong in his faith, with a reliance on the written Word of God. This letter echoes many of the themes Paul uses in his other letters.