Bible Strands
2 Timothy 2:17
and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy regarding the threat of false teachers in the Ephesian church, instructing him to confront doctrinal error during a period of active theological conflict.
The words — λόγος (logos) denotes the specific utterances or teaching of the false teachers, while γγγραινα (gangraina) literally means a spreading rot or gangrenous sore.
The thread — The text names Hymenaeus and Philetus, echoing 1 Timothy 1:20 where Paul identifies Hymenaeus as a teacher handed over to Satan. The corruption imagery parallels James 5:3, which describes corroded metal testifying against the wicked, and Nahum 3:15, which warns of consumption by fire and sword.
Why it lands — The text states that false teaching spreads destructively like a physical infection and identifies specific individuals who have deviated from the resurrection truth. It asks the reader to treat doctrinal error as spiritually corrosive and to distance themselves from its practitioners.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus;
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 1:20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
- Nahum 3:15 There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!
- James 5:3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days.