Their Canker Eating Word 2 Timothy 2:17

Paul the apostle continued to give Timothy his “son in the faith” and “dearly beloved son” final instructions before leaving the earth through martyrdom. He told him to be sure put the church members “in remembrance” of the things he taught him, and to “study to show” himself “approved unto God” as well as to “shun profane and vain babblings” which Paul knew would “increase unto more ungodliness.” In chapter two and verse seventeen of his letter, Paul described how the word of two men “will eat as a canker” where we read:

And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

The verse begins, “And their word will eat as does a canker:” Paul began this verse with the word “And” which denotes a continuance of thought and refers to the idea of “profane and vain babblings” which “increase unto more ungodliness”. Paul continued, “their word” which refers to “the same ones' speech, discourse, doctrine and teaching” “will eat as” or “pasturage, fodder, grow and increase like the evils of gangrene, ulcers or conflagration” “does a canker” which is the Greek word “gaggraina” from which we get our English word “gangrene” and is “a disease by which any part of the body suffering from inflammation becomes so corrupted that, unless a remedy be seasonably applied, the evil continually spreads, attacks other parts, and at last eats away the bones”. Paul knew the “profane and vain babblings” which were among the church members in Ephesus would not only corrupt the ones perpetrating them, but also would spread throughout the congregation like the evil spreading of “gangrene”.

The verse continues, “of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;” As though noting this horrible spread of “gangrene” wasn't enough, Paul went on to name personally the two individuals who were sharing these vain thoughts and ideas. He wrote, “of whom is” or “who or that is” “Hymenaueus” whose name means “belonging to marriage” and was “a heretic and one of the opponents of the apostle Paul” “and Philetus” whose name means “beloved” who was “a heretic and a disciple of Hymenaeus”. Although the names of these two men had good meanings, their spreading of “unhallowed, common and ungodly empty discussions, or discussions of egotistical, conceited and useless matters” was totally opposite to the nature of their names.

When we ponder the way Paul describes these two men and the manner in which they corrupted the church, we benefit by understanding the nature of “profane and vain babblings”. Not only do they corrupt the person sharing them, but they also spread throughout the church like gangrene or an evil disease. There is a benefit for us to heed the warning within this verse. Our words and ideas have a growing affect, and should we involve ourselves in “empty discussions” about “ungodly” things, not only will we be affected as were “Hymenaeus and Philetus”, but the people around us will be infected as well. May the Lord Jesus help us to know when “empty and useless” matters are being discussed, and may we have the strength and wisdom to turn away from them.

Next time Paul shares about those who are errant concerning the resurrection, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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