2 Timothy 2:14-19
14: Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16: But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
17: and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
17: and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18: men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
19: Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”
Paul, having just spoken of enduring hardships for the sake of the gospel, and making the “trustworthy” statement that if we die with Him, we’ll live with Him; if we endure, we’ll reign with Him, then told Timothy to remind those under his care of these things. Remind them not to “wrangle about words” or get hung up on useless arguments, turning things into a competition of who can argue more eloquently and convincingly with words, while having no substance to what they were saying. This simply leads to the ruin of the hearers. It does nothing to edify and build the church up for kingdom purposes. It does nothing to bring people to faith in Christ for salvation.
Paul told Timothy to be diligent to present himself approved to God. He must put effort into making sure he is accurately handling the Word of truth. The Word of God is truth, and we must handle it accordingly—submitting ourselves to it rather than trying to make it fit our own opinions. Timothy would not be ashamed before God if he handled His Word properly.
The worldly and empty chatter was to be avoided. All which opposes truth leads to further ungodliness. It spreads like a cancer devouring the life of those who receive it. He gave the example of Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:20) and Philetus as two men who had fallen into this type of chatter saying the resurrection had already taken place. Some said that the resurrection was not a physical one which believers could look forward to (1 Corinthians 15) but was simply the spiritual raising of souls from sin. This teaching attempted to overthrow the faith of God’s people by destroying their hope of a future resurrection in Christ.
Paul made it clear that regardless of what they said, the “firm foundation of God stands.” Their teaching cannot change the truth of God. Some would like to take the powerful principles of God and use them for their own purposes, to promote their own ideas, to try and ‘create’ their own truths. But these things will not stand. His Word is truth and cannot be changed by man. His Word is powerful and may be sent to accomplish His purposes—those things which align with His Spirit (Isaiah 55:11, John 15:7). The Lord knows those who are His—those remaining in the faith. Those who call themselves Christian are to abstain from wickedness—all which opposes His truth.
***
Paul, having just spoken of enduring hardships for the sake of the gospel, and making the “trustworthy” statement that if we die with Him, we’ll live with Him; if we endure, we’ll reign with Him, then told Timothy to remind those under his care of these things. Remind them not to “wrangle about words” or get hung up on useless arguments, turning things into a competition of who can argue more eloquently and convincingly with words, while having no substance to what they were saying. This simply leads to the ruin of the hearers. It does nothing to edify and build the church up for kingdom purposes. It does nothing to bring people to faith in Christ for salvation.
Paul told Timothy to be diligent to present himself approved to God. He must put effort into making sure he is accurately handling the Word of truth. The Word of God is truth, and we must handle it accordingly—submitting ourselves to it rather than trying to make it fit our own opinions. Timothy would not be ashamed before God if he handled His Word properly.
The worldly and empty chatter was to be avoided. All which opposes truth leads to further ungodliness. It spreads like a cancer devouring the life of those who receive it. He gave the example of Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:20) and Philetus as two men who had fallen into this type of chatter saying the resurrection had already taken place. Some said that the resurrection was not a physical one which believers could look forward to (1 Corinthians 15) but was simply the spiritual raising of souls from sin. This teaching attempted to overthrow the faith of God’s people by destroying their hope of a future resurrection in Christ.
Paul made it clear that regardless of what they said, the “firm foundation of God stands.” Their teaching cannot change the truth of God. Some would like to take the powerful principles of God and use them for their own purposes, to promote their own ideas, to try and ‘create’ their own truths. But these things will not stand. His Word is truth and cannot be changed by man. His Word is powerful and may be sent to accomplish His purposes—those things which align with His Spirit (Isaiah 55:11, John 15:7). The Lord knows those who are His—those remaining in the faith. Those who call themselves Christian are to abstain from wickedness—all which opposes His truth.
Comments
Post a Comment