2Ti 2:17-19 “And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Remember that Paul has instructed Timothy in this chapter to commit the truth unto faithful men (2 Tim 2:2). His counsel and warnings have been for these same faithful men (man-faced or human beings: see Strong’s). This is wise counsel to every brother and sister who desires to serve God. We sometimes read God’s word as though it were speaking to some generic “them,” when in fact it is speaking to a very particular “us.”
In verse sixteen, we have been told to shun vain babbling that only leads to ungodliness. We should not strive over words that do not lead to edifying God’s people. These unfit words “will eat as doth a canker.” Rather than building up, they destroy.
The word translated as “canker” in verse seventeen is another expression for gangrene. Gangrene, if left unchecked, can destroy the body. Teaching (words) that leads to denial of God’s holy truth (ungodliness) will destroy like gangrene if left unchecked. We should never willingly teach or accept error concerning the truth that is in Christ Jesus.
Paul had a particular error in mind when he wrote this letter. The men mentioned in verse seventeen were teaching that the resurrection is already in the past. It should be obvious that there was something more than the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Paul certainly believed and taught that Jesus had already literally risen from the dead.
It is possible that these men were teaching that there is no other resurrection than that of Jesus. He was certainly the “firstfruits of them that slept (1 Cor 15:20).” However, the scripture certainly indicates that He is not the only one who will be resurrected. Christ is the “firstfruits” and afterwards “those that are Christ’s at his coming.”
We have great assurance of the resurrection both by faith and by experience. The scripture tells us that the same power that raised up Jesus from the dead shall also quicken our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). Every one of us who have been quickened by God’s Spirit to know and believe Him have already experienced the power of the resurrection. We have been raised from a state of being dead in our sins to being alive (now) with Christ.
Even though the faith of some might be overthrown concerning the resurrection, the foundation of God is sure. It is stamped (sealed) with this holy truth: the Lord knows them that are His. No amount of vain babbling can change this simple truth. It behooves faithful men to always stand for the truth.
If we are going to call upon (nameth) the authority (name) of Christ, then we need to turn away from iniquity. We need to choose words that are fitly spoken concerning the love and power of our Redeemer. Our speech should only be such as is substantiated by the word of God. We should never be found participating in overthrowing the faith of our brothers and sisters.
May God bless us to live our lives in the knowledge that Jesus is the resurrection!
