TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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.
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, stamped with these words:
“The Lord knows his own,”
and,
“Let everyone who claims he belongs to the Lord
stand apart from wrongdoing.”
“The Lord knows his own,”
and,
“Let everyone who claims he belongs to the Lord
stand apart from wrongdoing.”
Berean Standard Bible
Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
American Standard Version
Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
World English Bible Messianic
However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
But the foundation of God remaineth sure, and hath this seale, The Lord knoweth who are his: and, Let euery one that calleth on the Name of Christ, depart from iniquitie.
Young's Literal Translation
sure, nevertheless, hath the foundation of God stood, having this seal, `The Lord hath known those who are His,' and `Let him depart from unrighteousness--every one who is naming the name of Christ.'
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In the KJVVerse 29,847 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Timothy 2 verses 19–21
19 ¶ 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.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
Here we see what we may comfort ourselves with, in reference to this, and the little errors and heresies that both infect and infest the church, and do mischief.
I. It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular persons be overthrown, yet the foundation of God standeth sure (Ti2 2:19); it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised against it. The prophets and apostles, that is, the doctrines of the Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is usual in a broad seal. 1. One expresses our comfort - that the Lord knows those that are his, and those that are not; knows them, that is, he owns them, so knows them that he will never lose them. Though the faith of some be overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of the righteous, Psa 1:6. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. 2. Another declares our duty - that every one who names the name of Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else he will not own us; he will say in the great day (Mat 7:23), Depart from me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity. Observe, (1.) Whatever errors are introduced into the church, the foundation of God standeth sure, his purpose can never be defeated. (2.) God hath some in the church who are his and whom he knows to be his. (3.) Professing Christians name the name of Christ, are called by his name, and therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit 2:14.
II. Another thing that may comfort us is that though there are some whose faith is overthrown, yet there are others who keep their integrity, and hold it fast (Ti2 2:20): In a great house there are not only vessels of gold, etc. The church of Christ is a great house, a well-furnished house: now some of the furniture of this house is of great value, as the plate in a house; some of small value, and put to mean uses, as the vessels of wood and earth; so it is in the church of God. There are some professors of religion that are like the vessels of wood and earth, they are vessels of dishonour. But at the same time all are not vessels of dishonour; there are vessels of gold and silver, vessels of honour, that are sanctified and meet for the Master's use. When we are discouraged by the badness of some, we must encourage ourselves by the consideration of the goodness of others. Now we should see to it that we be vessels of honour: we must purge ourselves from these corrupt opinions, that we may be sanctified for our Master's use. Observe, 1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath, Rom 9:22, Rom 9:23. Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation. 2. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use. 3. Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use; every one in the church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master's service and meet for his use. 4. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 19–21. Public domain.
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TertullianAD 220
To His Wife Book I
To meet these its counsels, do you apply the examples of sisters of ours whose names are with the Lord, -who, when their husbands have preceded them (to glory), give to no opportunity of beauty or of age the precedence over holiness.
TertullianAD 220
PRESCRIPTIONS AGAINST HERETICS 3
You are human, and so you know other people only from the outside. You think as you see, and you see only what your eyes let you see. But “the eyes of the Lord are lofty.” “Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart.” So “the Lord knows those who are his.” He roots up the plant which he has not planted in his garden. He shows the last to be first. He carries a fan in his hand to purge his floor. Let the chaff of cheap faith fly away as it pleases before every wind of temptation. So much the purer is the heap of wheat which the Lord will gather into his barn.
TertullianAD 220
The Prescription Against Heretics
"The Lord (beholdeth and) knoweth them that are His; " and "the plant which (my heavenly Father) hath not planted, He rooteth up; " and "the first shall," as He shows, "be last; " and He carries "His fan in His hand to purge His threshing-floor.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON JOHN 19.22, 25
Those who have been made one with and united with something know that with which they have been made one and have been united. Yet before such unity and participation, even if they objectively grasp something of the explanations given about a thing, they still do not know it.… For, in our view, the Lord has known those who are his because he has been made one with them and has given them a share of his own divinity and has taken them up, as the language of the Gospel says, into his own hand, since those who have believed in the Savior are in the Father’s hand. For this reason also, unless they fall from his hand—thereby removing themselves from the hand of God, they will not be snatched away, for no one snatches anyone from the Father’s hand.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON GENESIS 4.6
God ignores those who are alienated from him.… We say these things, however, not thinking anything blasphemous about God … not ascribing ignorance to him, but thus we understand that these whose activity is considered unworthy of God are also considered to be unworthy of knowledge of God. For God does not deign to know him who has turned away from him and does not know him.
Athanasius of AlexandriaAD 373
FESTAL LETTERS 9
Faith and godliness, you see, are so closely allied that they can be considered sisters. Anyone who believes in the Lord is godly, and the person who is godly believes all the more. On the other hand, one who is in a state of wrong relationships will certainly wander from the faith, and one who falls from godliness falls from the true faith. Paul, recognizing this, advised his disciples: “Avoid profane conversations, for they lead people further into ungodliness.” That is why the Ariomaniacs, being enemies of Christ, have left the church. They have dug a pit of unbelief into which they themselves have fallen.… The apostle Paul’s words against Philetus and Hymenaeus stand as a warning against ungodliness such as that of the Arians: “God’s foundation is firm, bearing this seed: ‘The Lord knows his own people’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’ ”
Apostolic ConstitutionsAD 380
CONSTITUTIONS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
Like sons of peace bestowing peace on those who are worthy, as it is written, "He came and preached peace to you that are nigh, and them that are far off, whom the Lord knows to be His"
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Epistle 63
The Lord considered and knew those that were His, and drew His saints to Himself; and those whom He chose not, He did not draw to Himself.
Ambrose of MilanAD 397
Interrogation of Job and David
Raise your mind's footsteps to the things that are to come, and you will find there the wicked one who you thought was here will not be, for he does not exist who is nothing. Finally, the Lord knows those who are his own; but those who are not, he does not know, because they have not recognized him who is.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 2 Timothy 5
"Nevertheless," he says, "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 the Lord depart from iniquity." He shows that even before they were subverted, they were not firm. For otherwise, they would not have been overthrown at the first attack, as Adam was firm before the commandment. For those who are fixed not only are not harmed through deceivers, but are even admired. And he calls it "sure," and a "foundation"; so ought we to adhere to the faith; "having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His." What is this? He has taken it from Deuteronomy; that is, Firm souls stand fixed and immovable. But whence are they manifest? From having these characters inscribed upon their actions, from their being known by God, and not perishing with the world, and from their departing from iniquity. "Let every one," he says, "that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." These are the distinguishing marks of the foundation. As a foundation is shown to be firm, and as letters are inscribed upon a stone that the letters may be significant. But these letters are shown by works, "Having," he says, "this seal" fixed thereon, "Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Thus if any one is unrighteous, he is not of the foundation. So that this too is of the seal, not to do iniquity.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
ADMONITION AND GRACE 7.16
It is the elect who are meant in the letter to Timothy, where, after mention of the attempts of Hymenaeus and Philetus to undermine the faith, the text goes on, “But the sure foundation of God stands firm, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows who are his.’ ” The faith of these latter, which works through charity, either does not ever fail, or, if it fail in some, the loss is repaired before death, the sin that intervened is blotted out and perseverance to the end is granted. On the other hand, those who are not to persevere to the end, those who are to fall from Christian faith and conduct, in such a way that the end of this life will find them thus fallen—these men are certainly not to be counted in the number of the elect, not even at the time during which they are living in goodness and piety.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMONS 15.5
The abundance of bad people in the world is the big heap of stuff needed for refining the good. Although the good can’t be seen, mixed up in the vast multitude of the bad, the Lord knows who are his own. Under the hand of such a great craftsman, the speck of gold cannot get lost in the huge pile of straw. How much straw is there, how little gold! But have no fear: the craftsman is so great that he can refine it and cannot lose it.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
SERMONS 19.6
Something is always going on in this olive press. The world is the press; there is no end to its pressures. Be oil, not dregs. Let each of you be converted to God and change your manner of life. The oil goes by hidden channels to its own secluded vats. Others sin, mock, blaspheme, make loud accusations in the streets—the dregs are oozing out. Yet the Lord of the press does not cease from operating it through his workmen, the holy angels. He knows his oil; he knows how much it can take, the exact pressure needed to squeeze it out. “The Lord knows,” you see, “who are his own.” Avoid the dregs. They are murky, out in the open for all to see.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
On Baptism, Against the Donatists 4.13.21
And we know that the apostle said of the vessels placed in the great house, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and ready for the Master’s use, and prepared for every good work.” But in what manner each man ought to purge himself from these he shows a little above, saying, “Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” This is so that he may not in the last day be blown away with the chaff from the threshing floor. Nor may he be separated at the last by hearing the command, “Depart from me, you that work iniquity.”
Fulgentius of RuspeAD 533
ON THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS 2.7
He therefore will attain life who keeps the commandments. But who keeps the divine commandments except the one who, converted to God before the end of this present life, has departed from his earlier sins? So the blessed Peter warns us, “Let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord avoid evil.” He said this, knowing that penance is done fruitfully in this present world in which forgiveness is given to penitents. But in the future world the penitence of the wicked will bear no fruit because there will be no conversion of the wicked. They will be sent into the exterior darkness where there will be wailing and the gnashing of teeth.
BedeAD 735
Homilies on the Gospels 1.17
This statement of the Lord … can also be understood mystically with regard to the choosing of the spiritual Israel, that is, the Christian people, since the Lord mercifully deigned to see them when they did not yet see him, when they had not yet been called by his apostles to the grace of faith, but they were still concealed under the covering of oppressing sin.… And sometimes in the Scriptures, to be sure, the fig tree suggests the sweetness of divine love.… Those placed under it can be his elect even when they do not yet recognize the grace of their election—just as the Lord saw Nathanael when he was situated under the fig tree though Nathanael did not see him. For the Lord knows who are his, and the very name Nathanael is most suitably appropriate to their salvation. For Nathanael is interpreted “gift of God.”
OecumeniusAD 990
COMMENTARY ON 2 TIMOTHY
Yet the solid foundation of God stands firm, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His. And, let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.
Yet the solid foundation. Indeed, the faith of the weak is subverted; "a solid foundation", however, stands (referring to the faithful who cannot be overthrown), having this mark and sign:
The Lord knows those who are His. Once indeed they were foreknown as wholly devoted to God and unchangeable. For the sign that they are known by God is that they could not be overthrown by wickedness so as to depart from the faith.
depart from iniquity. Here is another indication: namely, let everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord depart from iniquity, that is, from the error of doctrines, as it is proper to call upon His name. For those who, like certain living columns, remain immovable, bear these inscriptions in their works.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Amidst the challenges of false teaching and spiritual deception, 2 Timothy 2:19 serves as a bedrock declaration of God's unwavering truth and the distinguishing marks of His genuine followers. Paul reassures Timothy that despite human failure and apostasy, God's foundational purposes and His covenant with His people remain eternally secure. This divine stability is underscored by a "seal" bearing two inscriptions: God's sovereign knowledge and ownership of those who are truly His, and the corresponding ethical imperative for all who claim Christ's name to actively depart from sin.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse appears within Paul's second letter to Timothy, a deeply personal and pastoral epistle written from prison, likely facing imminent death. Paul is instructing Timothy on faithful ministry, particularly in confronting heresy and maintaining sound doctrine within the Ephesian church. Immediately preceding 2 Timothy 2:19, Paul warns against "profane and vain babblings" and the destructive teachings of Hymenaeus and Philetus, who had "erred concerning the truth" by claiming the resurrection had already occurred, thus overthrowing the faith of some 2 Timothy 2:16-18. In stark contrast to the instability and spiritual ruin caused by such false doctrines, 2 Timothy 2:19 asserts the absolute steadfastness of God's own established truth and purposes, providing a firm theological anchor against the shifting sands of error. It grounds Timothy's call to be a worker "rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15 in the unshakeable reality of God's character and His true people.
Historical & Cultural Context: The early church, still in its nascent stages, faced significant internal and external pressures. Internally, various forms of Gnosticism and other heresies began to emerge, challenging core Christian doctrines like the resurrection and the nature of Christ. Paul's letters, including 2 Timothy, frequently address these theological deviations. Culturally, seals were common in the ancient world, used to authenticate documents, secure property, or signify ownership. A seal on a foundation stone would denote its origin, purpose, and ownership, providing a powerful metaphor for the divine establishment and security of God's truth and people. Timothy, as a young leader in Ephesus, a city known for its diverse religious and philosophical currents, needed clear guidance on discerning true faith from false and on leading the church in purity and truth.
Key Themes: The verse contributes to several major themes throughout 2 Timothy and the broader Pauline corpus. It emphasizes God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness, asserting that His ultimate plan and His true church are secure despite human failings and false teachings. The phrase "The Lord knoweth them that are his" underscores Divine Election and Intimate Knowledge, highlighting God's personal and foundational relationship with His chosen people, a theme echoed in Jesus' words about knowing His sheep John 10:14. Conversely, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" stresses Ethical Imperative and Practical Holiness, revealing that genuine faith is not merely a verbal profession but is evidenced by a transformed life of active separation from sin. This dual emphasis on divine initiative and human responsibility is crucial for Discernment and Purity within the Church, providing criteria to distinguish true believers from those who merely profess faith but whose lives contradict their claims.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent Metaphors in this verse. The concept of "the foundation of God" is a robust image signifying stability, permanence, and the bedrock truth upon which everything else rests. The "seal" is another powerful metaphor, evoking ancient practices of authentication, ownership, and security. It implies that God's truth bears an undeniable divine mark, inscribed with two essential truths. There is also an implicit Antithesis at play, contrasting the instability and decay brought by false teaching (mentioned in the preceding verses) with the steadfastness and security of God's foundation. Furthermore, the two inscriptions on the seal present a beautiful Complementary Parallelism or even a subtle Chiasm: God's knowledge of His own (divine initiative) is paired with the believer's departure from iniquity (human response), demonstrating the inseparable link between divine grace and human responsibility in genuine faith.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Timothy 2:19 profoundly connects to the doctrines of God's sovereignty, election, and sanctification. It affirms that God's eternal purposes are immutable and that His knowledge of His own is not merely intellectual but an active, electing, and preserving knowledge. This provides immense assurance, reminding believers that their salvation is ultimately secured by God's faithfulness, not by their own wavering performance or the shifting tides of false doctrine. Simultaneously, the verse powerfully asserts that genuine faith is never merely intellectual assent or verbal profession; it is always accompanied by a transformed life that actively strives for holiness. The call to "depart from iniquity" is a practical outworking of God's saving grace, demonstrating that those truly known by God will bear the fruit of righteousness, reflecting His character in their lives. This verse thus serves as a critical theological touchstone for understanding the interplay between divine election and human responsibility in the Christian life.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world often characterized by instability, shifting truths, and spiritual confusion, 2 Timothy 2:19 offers immense comfort and a clear challenge. It assures believers that God's ultimate truth and His covenant with His people remain steadfast, providing an unshakeable foundation amidst any storm of false teaching or personal doubt. For those who genuinely belong to Christ, there is profound security in knowing they are intimately known and eternally secured by God Himself. This divine knowledge is the ultimate source of assurance, far surpassing any human certification. Simultaneously, the verse issues a powerful and necessary challenge: authentic faith is not a mere intellectual assent or a casual profession, but it is evidenced by a transformed life that actively and intentionally departs from sin. This calls every Christian to a life of genuine commitment, demonstrating the reality of their relationship with God through their pursuit of holiness and righteous living, thereby distinguishing themselves as truly "his."
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the foundation of God" refer to?
Answer: "The foundation of God" (Greek, _themélios tou theou'_) is a rich metaphor that can encompass several related ideas. It primarily refers to God's eternal and unshakeable truth, His divine purpose, or His established covenant with His people. It can also refer to the church itself, understood as God's building, founded upon Christ 1 Corinthians 3:11. In the context of 2 Timothy 2:19, it stands in contrast to the instability of false teachings, emphasizing that God's ultimate reality and His plan for salvation are eternally secure and cannot be undermined by human error or apostasy.
How do the two parts of the "seal" relate to each other?
Answer: The two inscriptions on the "seal" – "The Lord knoweth them that are his" and "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" – represent two inseparable aspects of genuine salvation. The first inscription speaks to God's sovereign initiative, His electing grace, and His intimate knowledge of those He has chosen for Himself. This is the divine side of the covenant. The second inscription speaks to the necessary human response and the ethical fruit of true faith. It emphasizes that those who are genuinely known by God will demonstrate that reality through a transformed life that actively turns away from sin. Therefore, the two parts are not separate conditions but two sides of the same coin: God's recognition of His own is always accompanied by a corresponding call to holiness and a life of obedience for those who claim His name. This relationship highlights that true faith is both a divine gift and a call to a transformed life, where profession is validated by practice Matthew 7:20.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Timothy 2:19 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the very foundation of God, the cornerstone upon whom the entire structure of salvation rests 1 Corinthians 3:11. It is through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection that God's eternal purpose for humanity is established and secured. The first inscription, "The Lord knoweth them that are his," is perfectly embodied in Christ, the Good Shepherd who intimately "knows his sheep and his sheep know him" John 10:14. His divine knowledge is not merely intellectual but an electing, saving, and preserving knowledge, assuring believers of their secure standing in Him. Furthermore, the second inscription, "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity," is made possible and empowered by Christ. He is not only our example of perfect holiness 1 Peter 2:21 but also the source of the grace that teaches us to "deny ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" Titus 2:11-12. Through His indwelling Spirit, believers are empowered to depart from sin, demonstrating that their profession of His name is validated by a life progressively conformed to His character. Thus, Christ is both the secure foundation and the empowering force behind the "seal" of God's people.