2 Timothy 2:14-19 (NKJV) Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
V14 “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.” “Of these things” refers to the previous verses where Paul spoke of persecutions, afflictions, remaining steadfast, showing endurance, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and His faithfulness. Remind them: we often need to be reminded. Reminders are needed to refresh them in our memory. We do this when we memorize Bible verses, phone numbers, important dates, etc.. We review them often at first and less frequently as time advances. Good teachers review material with students. Also see 2 Peter 1:12, 2 Peter 3:1-2, Deuteronomy 8:2, and Ephesians 2:11-12. His reminders were to include not arguing (loud and angrily) about words and interpretations. Arguing like that has an effect–anger, bitterness, resentfulness, and possibly ruin. Fellowship is gone. Avoid it if possible, and confess it was wrong as soon as God convicts one of their sin. Discussion is one thing but angry arguments, gaslighting, verbal abuse, false accusations, etc. are evil. We are to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39, Philippians 2:4, and Galatians 6:10.
V15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Greek word for “diligence” is (G4704) σπουδάζω spoudázō, which means speedily in various contexts. Here, it has the idea of priorities, eagerness, and dedication. Thus, prayer, Bible study, etc. come first. Compare 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Timothy 4:9, and Galatians 2:10 (eager). The Greek word for “approved” is (G1384) δόκιμος dókimos, which means meeting a standard and proven. It carries the idea an authority pleased with ones actions and words. See James 1:12, Romans 14:18, and 2 Corinthians 10:18 (self-approval is meaningless to God). Ashamed carries the idea of standing before the one who sent us on a mission and having failure by procrastination, etc. The “word of truth” is the Scriptures, the only source of 100% truth. Rightly dividing refers to the method of Bible interpretation. Remember the “Golden Rule” of Bible Interpretation: “When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.” ~Dr. David L. Cooper. If we read and interpret the Bible this way, we avoid error, heresy, and many practical helps for daily living. Much of today’s Bible interpretation is summarized in this saying (attributed to A. W. Tozer, but I cannot find the source: “The modern Christian is not misunderstanding or misinterpreting the Bible but has trouble accepting it with his fleshly mind.”
V16 “But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” Not only in general conversation, but especially in teaching and preaching. We often lean on philosophy or theology to do the Bible interpretation. Profane has the idea of muddying up clear water; thus, changing the plain sense of the Scriptures. The Greek word is (G952) βέβηλος bébēlos which means unhallowed, the opposite of sacred and not worthy to enter a temple. Literally, “idle” has the idea of worthless words. Teaching error has an effect on all believers even the possibility of destroying one’s faith.
(Holman Commentary) “The phrase “godless chatter” describes the empty babbling of false teachers. Their doctrines may have been quite organized and intricate, but Paul labeled them “chatter” because they were without substance.
“In addition, their teachings did not promote the life and practices which God approves. Paul declared that those who indulged in such chatter would become more and more ungodly. In vivid contrast to God’s truth, which results in godliness, the false teachings degenerate into greater ungodliness.”
V17 “And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort…” False teaching spreads like cancer–it kills, it destroys, it deceives, it sounds good but is false. The Greek word for “cancer” is (G1044) γάγγραινα gággraina, which means gangrene, which is when blood supply is poor to non-existent. Gangrene slowly spreads its death. Hymenaeus is a false teacher who rejected the faith (beliefs) taught by the Lord Jesus and the Apostles (Ephesians 2:20-22). See 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Paul delivered him to satan for punishment (1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:19-20), which is something only an Apostle had authority to do. The false teacher’s doctrine is described as blasphemy, because of teaching falsely the character and character traits of God. These teachers also (verse 18) taught that the resurrection has already occurred. Some resurrection heresies are 1) there is no resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-13) as radical preterism, 2) the physical body is not resurrected, only the soul, and 3) when one is “born again” they experience a spiritual resurrection. The main problem is Bible interpretation. Instead of understanding the text in it plain, normal sense, they use other forms of interpretation. Regarding Philetus: (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “Undoubtedly, Philetus advocated a GNOSTIC teaching that held that the body is evil and only the spirit will be saved. Because it upset the faith of some, such teaching is dangerous, Paul declared.”
V18 “…who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.” We must adhere to the standard that the Bible is the only 100% source of truth. Teaching that the resurrection is already past is a non-truth. These seemingly innocent “logical” arguments can be deadly to one’s faith. A quote: (Holman Commentary) “Paul highlighted one main point of their false teaching: they say that the resurrection has already taken place. This supposition, rampant among the false teachers, taught that the fullness of salvation had come. Consequently, there was no future bodily resurrection, for the true resurrection was spiritual. This led to the practice of discounting anything connected with physical life, making daily obligations and concerns for holy living irrelevant. Spiritualizing the resurrection diminished the sacrifice of Christ, removed the necessity of enduring hardship, and promoted immoral living. In this way, they destroy the faith of some.”
V19 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” The solid foundation is Ephesians 2:20 (NKJV) “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” The Greek word “seal” is (G4973) σφραγίς sphragís, which means an official stamp, mark, impression on a document. It signifies genuiness. The two seals are our confidence, and they are: 1)God knows who are His people and 2) living a holy life is a mark of genuine faith (James 2:14-26).