2 Timothy 2.14-19 (ESV)
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
We’ve probably all had an experience where we’ve attended a meeting where there’s a bit of a controversy about an issue or where conversations become heated because there is a small group that has an agenda that opposes the direction of the majority. In many meetings and conversations where this happens, there tends to be loads of arguments about the meaning of words as one group seeks to subtly change opinions by playing on the emotions and fears of others.
If you’re ever in a situation like that I hope you have a friend like mine. I have a very great friend who has a knack, a gift really, for cutting through the rhetoric and emotionalism to clearly paint the issue, choices, and potential outcomes.
That’s what Paul is doing here in this passage.
Apparently, there have been some shenanigans going on where some individuals (two in particular) are telling others that the resurrection has already taken place.
To be sure, Paul talks about the resurrection throughout his letters saying things like we are raised with Christ and we are seated in the heavenly places (Romans 6, Colossians 3.1-4) but Paul was clearly emphasizing this “already—not yet” understanding when it comes to the resurrection. Our future is already guaranteed in that we anticipate that future bodily resurrection while we live into and live out our faith in Christ in the present, but it has not yet taken place. We look forward to that great day when we will see Jesus face to face.
So, Paul is encouraging Timothy in this passage to avoid getting caught up in this foolishness which is taking place and is being perpetuated in particular by Hymenaeus and Philetus who are telling Christians that the resurrection has already occurred.
Instead, Paul wants Timothy to hold onto his firm foundation in Christ, to rightly know scripture, and to “handle the word of truth” so that people can clearly understand the word of God.
Paul is painting a great image of a trailblazer, someone who is guiding people through dangerous places so that they can walk safely and securely.
That’s a great encouragement for us today. We need to know, really know, our firm foundation in Christ. Just like in Paul’s day, our culture will always have ways of pushing to change the truth and we are in constant danger of slipping into moral chaos. If we’re going to navigate our times successfully, standing as God’s sent missional people, and guard against getting caught up in emotional arguments or twisted by false teaching, then we need to stand firm on God’s foundation, pursuing knowing His Son Jesus, which is best done by knowing His word.
If you’re reading this, I know that I’m “preaching to the choir” as the saying goes but let me encourage you to continue to pursue knowing, loving, serving, and following Jesus more and more so that you may glorify the Lord in and through your life, loves, and relationships.
God bless you and know that I am praying for you today.
Scott
Col 3:16-17 (ESV)
6 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.