and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene.The imagery of "gangrene" is a powerful metaphor for the destructive nature of false teachings. In the ancient world, gangrene was a serious and often fatal condition, symbolizing how false doctrine can corrupt and destroy the spiritual health of a community. This phrase emphasizes the urgency and seriousness with which false teachings must be addressed. The Apostle Paul warns Timothy of the insidious nature of these teachings, which can quickly infect and spread within the church if not dealt with decisively. This metaphor is consistent with other biblical warnings about false teachings, such as in
Galatians 5:9, where Paul compares false doctrine to leaven that leavens the whole lump.
Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
Hymenaeus and Philetus are specifically named as examples of those spreading false teachings. Hymenaeus is also mentioned in1 Timothy 1:20, where Paul states that he has handed him over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme, indicating a previous encounter with his heretical views. This suggests a persistent pattern of false teaching that required strong disciplinary action. Philetus, though not mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament, is associated with Hymenaeus, indicating that they were likely working together in propagating their erroneous beliefs. The naming of these individuals serves as a warning to the church to be vigilant against specific sources of false doctrine. Historically, this reflects the early church's struggle with maintaining doctrinal purity amidst various heretical movements.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HymenaeusA false teacher mentioned in the New Testament, known for spreading erroneous doctrine. He is also referenced in
1 Timothy 1:20, where Paul mentions handing him over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
2.
PhiletusAnother false teacher associated with Hymenaeus. He is mentioned only in this passage, indicating his involvement in spreading false teachings.
3.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and warning against false teachings.
4.
TimothyA young pastor and protégé of Paul, recipient of the letter, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus and combating false teachings.
5.
EphesusThe location where Timothy was ministering, a city known for its diverse religious practices and challenges to early Christian teachings.
Teaching Points
The Danger of False TeachingFalse teachings can spread rapidly and cause significant harm to the faith community, much like gangrene affects the body. It is crucial to identify and address these teachings promptly.
The Importance of Sound DoctrineUpholding sound doctrine is essential for the health of the church. Believers must be grounded in Scripture to discern truth from falsehood.
Guarding the Faith CommunityLeaders and members alike have a responsibility to protect the community from harmful influences. This involves both teaching truth and correcting errors.
Personal VigilanceEach believer must be vigilant in their personal study of the Word to avoid being led astray by false teachings.
The Role of Church LeadershipChurch leaders, like Timothy, are tasked with the critical role of shepherding the flock and ensuring that teachings align with biblical truth.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:17?
2.How can we avoid spreading "gangrene" like Hymenaeus and Philetus in our lives?
3.What teachings today might "spread like gangrene" according to 2 Timothy 2:17?
4.How does 2 Timothy 2:17 connect with warnings about false teachings in Scripture?
5.What steps can we take to guard against false teachings in our church?
6.How can we discern truth from error in light of 2 Timothy 2:17?
7.What does 2 Timothy 2:17 mean by "their message will spread like gangrene"?
8.How does 2 Timothy 2:17 relate to false teachings in the early church?
9.Who were Hymenaeus and Philetus mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:17?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 2?
11.2 Timothy 2:17–18 – If early believers disagreed about the resurrection’s timing, how can we know which view was correct historically or theologically?
12.Who were Hymenaeus and Philetus in the Bible?
13.Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander in biblical context?
14.In 2 Timothy 4:17, is Paul's claim of being rescued 'from the lion's mouth' literal or a figurative expression, and how does this align with historical or scientific understanding?What Does 2 Timothy 2:17 Mean
the talk of such men will spread like gangrenePaul has just urged Timothy to “avoid irreverent chatter” (2 Timothy 2:16). Now he pictures that chatter as gangrene—an infection that devours living tissue unless cut out. The image is stark, and intentionally so.
• Gangrene starts small, yet rapidly corrupts the whole body (cf.1 Corinthians 5:6;Galatians 5:9).
• False words do the same in a church: they creep from ear to ear, poisoning faith and fellowship (Proverbs 26:20;2 Peter 2:2).
• Left unchecked, they lead to spiritual death (James 1:15).
• The antidote is prompt spiritual surgery—“rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) and steering clear of “godless myths” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Just as a surgeon must remove diseased flesh to save the patient, leaders must expose destructive teaching before it multiplies (Titus 1:10-11).
Among them are Hymenaeus and PhiletusPaul names two men whose doctrines were already corrupting believers. Hymenaeus had appeared earlier, “handed over to Satan” so he might learn not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:20). Partnered now with Philetus, he claimed “the resurrection has already occurred” (2 Timothy 2:18), overturning the future hope of a bodily resurrection promised inJohn 5:28-29,1 Corinthians 15:51-54, and1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
• Publicly identifying false teachers protects the flock (Romans 16:17; 3John 9-10).
• Their error attacked a core gospel promise; without a future resurrection, “our faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
• Paul’s action models loving yet firm correction, contrasting with today’s reluctance to confront (Ephesians 5:11).
Rejecting their teaching meant clinging to sound doctrine, guarding both personal faith and the faith of others (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
summaryFalse teaching spreads like an aggressive infection, threatening the health of the entire church. Paul warns Timothy—and us—to cut it off quickly by standing firm in the truth, boldly naming and correcting error, and holding fast to the sure promise of a future bodily resurrection through Christ.
(17)
And their word will eat as doth a canker.--Better rendered, as in the margin of the English translation,
as doth a gangrene,the usual rendering of the various English versions. "Cancer," which is adopted also by Luther--krebs--fails to express the terrible and deathly nature of the "word" of these false teachers. The life of the sufferer afflicted with cancer may be prolonged for many years; a few hours, however, is sufficient to put a term to the life of the patient attacked with "gangrene," unless the limb affected be at once cut away. To translate this Greek word here by "cancer" is to water down the original, in which St. Paul expresses his dread of the fatal influence of the words of these teachers on the lives of many of the flock of Christ. Perhaps Jerome's words, "a perverse doctrine, beginning with one, at the commencement scarcely finds two or three listeners; but little by little the cancer creeps through the body" (Jerome. in
Epist. ad Gal.)
,has suggested the rendering of the English Version.
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus.--Of these false teachers nothing is known beyond the mention, in the First Epistle to Timothy, of Hymenaeus, who, regardless of the severe action which had been taken against him (1Timothy 1:20), was apparently still continuing in his error. Vitringa thinks they were Jews, and probably Samaritans. Their names are simply given as examples of the teachers of error to whom St. Paul was referring--famous leaders, no doubt, in their cheerless school of doctrine.
Verse 17. -
Gangrene for
canker, A.V.
Their word; as opposed to "the Word of truth" in ver. 15.
Will eat (
νομὴν ἕξει);
i.e. spread, like a gangrene, which gradually enlarges its area, corrupting the flesh that was sound before. So these heretical opinions spread in the body of the Church which is affected by them.
Νομή is literally "pasture" (
John 10:9), "grazing of flocks," and hence is applied to fire (Polybius), which as it were feeds upon all around it, and, in medical language (Hippocrates), to sores and gangrenes, which grow larger and depasture the flesh.
Of whom; of the number of those pointed at in the phrase, "their word."
Hymenaeus; probably the same person as is mentioned as a blasphemer in
1 Timothy 1:20.
Philetus. Nothing is known of him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.talkλόγος(logos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056:From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.of [such men]αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.willἕξει(hexei)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.spreadνομὴν(nomēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3542:(a) pasture, pasturage, (b) met: growth, increase. Feminine from the same as nomos; pasture, i.e. feeding, or pasturage.likeὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.gangrene.γάγγραινα(gangraina)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1044:Gangrene, mortification. From graino; an ulcer.Among [them]ὧν(hōn)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.areἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.HymenaeusὙμέναιος(Hymenaios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5211:Hymenaeus. From Humen; 'hymeneal'; Hymeneus, an opponent of Christianity.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.Philetus,Φιλητός(Philētos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5372:Philetus, a Christian at Rome. From phileo; amiable; Philetus, an opposer of Christianity.
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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 2:17 And their word will consume like gangrene (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) 
