2 Timothy 2:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3748} concerning {G4012} the truth {G225} have erred {G795}, saying {G3004} that the resurrection {G386} is past {G1096} already {G2235}; and {G2532} overthrow {G396} the faith {G4102} of some {G5100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

they have missed the mark, as far as the truth is concerned, by saying that our resurrection has already taken place; and they are overturning some people’s faith.

Berean Standard Bible

who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

American Standard Version

men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Paul sternly warns Timothy about Hymenaeus and Philetus, two individuals who have deviated from the truth by asserting that the resurrection has already occurred. This false teaching, which likely spiritualized or allegorized the future bodily resurrection, is condemned not merely as an intellectual error but as a destructive heresy that actively undermines and overthrows the faith of some believers, highlighting the critical importance of sound doctrine for spiritual stability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's second epistle to Timothy, his beloved spiritual son and a young pastor serving in Ephesus. The overarching theme of 2 Timothy is steadfastness in the face of apostasy, the importance of guarding the deposit of truth, and the necessity of enduring hardship for the gospel. Paul's instruction in this chapter moves from a call for Timothy to be a strong soldier of Christ ([2 Timothy 2:3](/2_timothy/2-3 "2 Timothy 2:3 - Endure Hardship")) and a diligent worker handling the word of truth accurately ([2 Timothy 2:15](/2_timothy/2-15 "2 Timothy 2:15 - Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth")) to a direct warning against "profane and vain babblings" ([2 Timothy 2:16](/2_timothy/2-16 "2 Timothy 2:16 - Avoid Godless Chatter")). Hymenaeus and Philetus are presented as prime examples of those whose godless talk spreads "like gangrene" ([2 Timothy 2:17](/2_timothy/2-17 "2 Timothy 2:17 - The Spread of Heresy")), leading directly into the specific nature of their error in verse 18.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church faced significant challenges from within, as various interpretations and syncretistic ideas began to emerge. The heresy described in [2 Timothy 2:18](/2_timothy/2-18 "2 Timothy 2:18 - False Teaching and Its Consequences") likely reflects an early form of Gnostic or proto-Gnostic thinking. These nascent Gnostic ideas often emphasized the spiritual over the physical, viewing the material world as inherently evil or irrelevant. Consequently, a belief in a future bodily resurrection would have been problematic for them, as it affirmed the goodness and ultimate redemption of the physical body. Instead, they would have spiritualized the resurrection, perhaps teaching that it referred to a spiritual awakening at conversion or a metaphorical rise from ignorance, rather than a literal, future event involving the physical body. This denial directly contradicted the apostolic teaching, which was rooted in the literal resurrection of Christ and the promise of a future bodily resurrection for believers, a cornerstone of Christian hope.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Timothy 2](/2_timothy/2 "2 Timothy 2 - A Call to Faithfulness") is rich with themes central to Christian discipleship and ministry. The immediate context highlights the theme of **doctrinal purity** and the imperative to **guard the truth** against error. Paul emphasizes the pastor's responsibility to "rightly divide the word of truth" ([2 Timothy 2:15](/2_timothy/2-15 "2 Timothy 2:15 - Rightly Handling the Word")). This verse also underscores the theme of **spiritual warfare** against false teaching, which is depicted as a destructive force that can "overthrow the faith of some." The **centrality of the resurrection** is another critical theme; its denial strikes at the heart of Christian hope and the very power of God. Finally, the passage implicitly touches on **pastoral responsibility** to identify and confront those who propagate harmful doctrines, protecting the flock from spiritual harm.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **erred (Greek, _astochéō'_):** From a compound of the negative particle 'a' and 'aim', this verb means "to miss the mark" or "to deviate from truth." It implies a failure to hit the target of sound doctrine, a significant departure from the standard of biblical truth. It's not merely a slight misstep but a fundamental failure to adhere to the correct teaching.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** Derived from "to stand up again," this noun literally refers to a "standing up again," specifically a resurrection from death. It can also figuratively denote a moral recovery of spiritual truth. In this context, it unequivocally refers to the future bodily resurrection of the dead, a core tenet of Christian eschatology.
* **overthrow (Greek, _anatrépō'_):** From "up" and "to turn," this verb literally means "to overturn" or "to subvert." Figuratively, it conveys the idea of ruining, destroying, or capsizing. It vividly portrays the devastating impact of the false teaching, suggesting it completely destabilizes and ruins the faith of those who embrace it, much like overturning a ship or demolishing a building.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who concerning the truth have erred":** This clause immediately identifies the nature of the problem: Hymenaeus and Philetus (implied from the preceding verse) have strayed from the "truth," which refers to the revealed body of Christian doctrine, the gospel message itself. Their error is not minor but a fundamental deviation from established apostolic teaching.
* **"saying that the resurrection is past already;":** This specifies their particular heresy. By claiming the resurrection had already occurred, they were likely spiritualizing it, perhaps asserting that it referred to a spiritual experience at conversion or an inner renewal, thereby denying the future bodily resurrection of believers. This directly undermined a foundational hope of the early church and contradicted the literal, historical resurrection of Jesus Christ.
* **"and overthrow the faith of some.":** This final clause highlights the devastating consequence of their false teaching. The word "overthrow" (Greek: _anatrépō_) powerfully conveys the destructive impact, indicating that their doctrine was not harmless but actively caused believers to abandon or severely compromise their trust in core Christian beliefs, particularly the hope of future resurrection and eternal life. It suggests a complete subversion of their spiritual foundation.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to emphasize the gravity of the false teaching. The **Metaphor** of "gangrene" in the preceding verse ([2 Timothy 2:17](/2_timothy/2-17 "2 Timothy 2:17 - The Spreading Heresy")) powerfully extends into this verse, illustrating how doctrinal error, like a spreading disease, corrupts and destroys spiritual life. The verb "erred" (Greek: _astochéō_) functions as a **Metaphor** for "missing the mark," drawing on imagery from archery or racing, implying a failure to hit the target of sound doctrine. Furthermore, the strong verb "overthrow" (Greek: _anatrépō_) is a vivid **Metaphor** portraying the destructive power of heresy, akin to overturning a structure or capsizing a ship, underscoring the profound spiritual damage inflicted on those whose faith is subverted. The passage also implicitly uses **Contrast** between the "truth" which Hymenaeus and Philetus deviate from, and the "faith" of believers which they overthrow, highlighting the opposing forces at play in the spiritual battle for sound doctrine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The denial of the future bodily resurrection, as propagated by Hymenaeus and Philetus, strikes at the very heart of Christian eschatology and hope. The resurrection is not merely an isolated doctrine but a foundational pillar of the Christian faith, intimately connected to the victory of Christ over sin and death, the promise of eternal life, and the ultimate redemption of creation. To spiritualize or deny the physical resurrection undermines the tangible hope of believers, suggesting that the ultimate reality is not a renewed physical existence with Christ, but merely an internal spiritual state. This theological error has profound implications, potentially leading to a diminished view of God's power, a lack of hope in the face of death, and a distorted understanding of salvation that neglects the bodily aspect of human existence. The integrity of the gospel message hinges on the literal, historical resurrection of Jesus and the promise of our own.

* [1 Corinthians 15:12-19](/1_corinthians/15-12-19 "1 Corinthians 15:12-19 - The Centrality of the Resurrection")
* [Philippians 3:10-11](/philippians/3-10-11 "Philippians 3:10-11 - The Power of Christ's Resurrection")
* [Acts 17:32](/acts/17-32 "Acts 17:32 - Response to the Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Timothy 2:18](/2_timothy/2-18 "2 Timothy 2:18 - The Danger of False Teaching") serves as a timeless warning for believers in every generation. In an age saturated with information and diverse voices, the call to discernment is more critical than ever. We must actively cultivate a deep understanding of biblical truth, not merely for intellectual satisfaction, but as a safeguard against deceptive teachings that can subtly undermine our faith. This requires diligent study of God's Word, prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, and a commitment to sound theological resources and faithful teachers. Furthermore, this verse reminds us of our responsibility to protect the vulnerable within the body of Christ. Just as Hymenaeus and Philetus "overthrew the faith of some," false doctrines today continue to cause spiritual shipwreck. We are called to contend earnestly for the faith ([Jude 1:3](/jude/1-3 "Jude 1:3 - Contend for the Faith")), to speak the truth in love ([Ephesians 4:15](/ephesians/4-15 "Ephesians 4:15 - Speaking Truth in Love")), and to equip ourselves and others to stand firm on the unshakeable foundation of God's Word, ensuring that our hope remains fixed on the glorious future resurrection.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the historical context of early heresies, like the one concerning the resurrection, help us identify and respond to similar errors in our own time?**
* **What specific steps can I take to deepen my understanding of core Christian doctrines, particularly those that are often challenged or misunderstood?**
* **In what ways might subtle forms of "spiritualizing" or allegorizing biblical truths today inadvertently "overthrow the faith" of some, even without malicious intent?**
* **How can I, as an individual believer, contribute to protecting the faith of others in my community from deceptive teachings?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific error of Hymenaeus and Philetus regarding the resurrection?**

Answer: Hymenaeus and Philetus taught "that the resurrection is past already." This means they denied a future, physical resurrection of believers. Instead, they likely spiritualized the concept, suggesting that the resurrection referred to a past event, such as a spiritual awakening at conversion, an inner renewal, or a metaphorical rise from sin. This directly contradicted the apostolic teaching that affirmed the literal bodily resurrection of Christ and the future bodily resurrection of believers, as highlighted in passages like [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter").

**Why was the doctrine of the resurrection so crucial for early Christians, and why was its denial so dangerous?**

Answer: The doctrine of the resurrection was, and remains, absolutely central to Christianity. For early Christians, it was the cornerstone of their hope, proving Christ's victory over sin and death and guaranteeing their own future bodily resurrection and eternal life with God. As Paul states in [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - If Christ Has Not Been Raised"), "if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." Denying a future bodily resurrection removed the hope of ultimate victory over death, undermined the power of God, and could lead to a fatalistic or hedonistic worldview, as seen in the phrase "Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die" ([1 Corinthians 15:32](/1_corinthians/15-32 "1 Corinthians 15:32 - Why Do We Fight Wild Beasts?")). It "overthrew the faith of some" by removing the very foundation of their future hope in Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The heresy of Hymenaeus and Philetus, which denied the future bodily resurrection, stands in stark contrast to the glorious truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is the **resurrection and the life** ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life")), and His own physical resurrection from the dead is the **firstfruits** ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")) of all who believe. His victory over the grave ensures that our hope is not in a spiritualized, past event, but in a future, tangible reality where our perishable bodies will be raised imperishable ([1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Spiritual Body")). When Hymenaeus and Philetus erred concerning the truth, they were, in essence, erring concerning Christ, who is **the Way, the Truth, and the Life** ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The promise of our bodily resurrection is rooted in our union with Him; because He lives, we also shall live ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Because I Live, You Also Will Live")). Thus, the defense of the literal resurrection is not merely a theological point but a profound affirmation of Christ's power, His completed work, and the certain hope of our future glorification with Him, a hope that anchors the believer's faith against all attempts to overthrow it.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:12

¶ Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Timothy 1:19

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Hebrews 3:10

Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in [their] heart; and they have not known my ways.

2 Timothy 2:14

¶ Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.

James 5:19

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Luke 8:13

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

1 Corinthians 11:19

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.