2 Timothy 2:17

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

And {G2532} their {G846} word {G3056} will eat {G2192}{G3542} as {G5613} doth a canker {G1044}: of whom {G3739} is {G2076} Hymenaeus {G5211} and {G2532} Philetus {G5372};

and their teaching will eat away at people like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are among these;

and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

and their word will eat as doth a gangrene: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus;

Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:17

In 2 Timothy 2:17, the Apostle Paul continues his warning to young Timothy about the dangers of false teaching within the early church. This verse specifically identifies two individuals, Hymenaeus and Philetus, as prominent examples of those whose doctrines were spiritually destructive.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's broader instruction to Timothy on how to conduct himself and lead the church amidst growing challenges from within. Paul emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and diligent study (2 Timothy 2:15), contrasting it with the "profane and vain babblings" of false teachers mentioned in the preceding verse (2 Timothy 2:16). The issue was not just theological disagreement, but teachings that actively undermined faith and spiritual health.

Key Themes

  • The Corrosive Nature of False Doctrine: The central metaphor of a "canker" highlights how deceptive teachings are not static but actively spread and destroy, much like a disease consumes healthy tissue.
  • Identification of False Teachers: Paul's naming of Hymenaeus and Philetus serves as a direct warning, emphasizing the need for discernment and accountability within the Christian community. Hymenaeus is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20 as one delivered unto Satan for blasphemy.
  • Protection of Spiritual Health: The verse underscores the vital importance of guarding one's own faith and the faith of others from the damaging effects of heresy and ungodly talk.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "canker" comes from the Greek word gangraina (γάγγραινα), from which we derive the medical term "gangrene." This choice of word is particularly vivid and impactful. Gangrene is a condition where body tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply or a severe bacterial infection, and it spreads rapidly if not contained, often requiring amputation to save the rest of the body. Paul uses this powerful analogy to convey that false teaching is not merely incorrect but is a virulent, spreading spiritual disease that destroys faith and leads to spiritual death if left unchecked.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Timothy 2:17 serves as a timeless warning:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We must be vigilant and discerning about the doctrines we consume and share. Not all teachings that claim to be Christian are truly edifying or sound.
  • Guard the Truth: Just as Paul urged Timothy, believers are called to uphold sound doctrine and reject teachings that contradict biblical truth.
  • The Danger of Spiritual Decay: This verse reminds us that spiritual error can have profound, destructive consequences on individual faith and the wider church community, leading people astray from Christ, as Paul notes that these false teachers "overthrow the faith of some" (2 Timothy 2:18).

The passage calls Christians to be rooted in the truth of God's Word, enabling them to recognize and resist the "canker" of false teachings that seek to undermine genuine faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 1:20

    Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

  • Nahum 3:15

    There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.

  • James 5:3

    Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

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