2 Timothy 2:14-26

 

(2 Timothy 2:14-26) Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

In Ephesus, where Timothy, a young pastor, was ministering, Hymenaeus and Philetus were confusing people with their words. They said: “The resurrection has already passed” (v. 18). They were distorting the truth and undermining the faith of some. The apostle Paul says that these words are like the spread of a malignant tumor. The malignant tumor referred to here is a word that distorts the truth about the church and can cause the body of the church to rot and lead to death. The Apostle Paul said that the saints should refrain from quarreling, useless and vain speech, and foolish and ignorant arguments within the church. It is said that these words can cause the church to become rotten.

Those who "quarrel in the church, use vague and vain speeches, and make foolish and ignorant arguments" attract people around them to rationalize what they are saying, even when they are not right. And they try to fight their opponents by forming their own side and raising them into a force that sympathizes with them. They do not think about the order and virtue of the church, but only think that their thoughts are right. Quarrels, vain and vain speeches, and foolish and ignorant arguments are of no benefit, but only ruin those who hear them.

『Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.』. When the Apostle Paul wrote 2 Timothy, he referred to Timothy, a pastor at Ephesus, "Hymenaeus and Philetus, who confused people and destroyed their faith by saying that the resurrection had already passed."

Hymenaeus and Philetus say that the Resurrection has already passed is not based on the Law. It was not based on the teachings of Jesus, but on the basis of Gnosticism, one of the prevailing secular values ​​at the time.

Gnosticism at that time regarded the flesh as evil and the spirit as good. The flesh is not evil, but the flesh is sick because of the evil greed hidden in the flesh. So, the Bible tells us not to receive the flesh we received from our parents, but to receive the flesh of the spirit from God. This is being born again of water and the Spirit.

Jesus clearly spoke of the resurrection of the physical (spiritual body) and accomplished the physical resurrection, and said that there would be a physical resurrection not only for himself but also for people. Despite the Lord's clear teachings, people were deceived by the secular-based Gnostic's "resurrection is already over" statement. In 1 Corinthians 15:44, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” The physical body (the old man) dies with Jesus and is reborn as a spiritual body from heaven. This is the resurrection.

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” He said to avoid youthful lust. Here, lust is a translation of the Greek word “epidumeo” and has the meaning of “longing for, longing for”. Young people are easily seduced by arguing based on worldly values, vain and vain speech, and foolish and ignorant arguments, and are prone to craving for certain things. It is difficult to have a pure heart without abandoning greed.