2 Timothy 2:15-18

The Need To Hold To The Truth And To Shun What Is False (2 Timothy 2:15-18 ).

Paul now gives an example of the approach that Timothy should take, and what is to be shunned. He must use wisely the Scriptures and the tradition about Jesus, ‘the word of truth’, learning from it, and ensuring that he properly understands it, and must shun anything that adds to it the myths and ‘babblings’ of men.

Analysis.

a Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

b But shun profane babblings, for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as a gangrene does (2 Timothy 2:16-17 a).

a Of whom are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some (2 Timothy 2:17-18).

Note how in ‘a’ Timothy is to rightly handle ‘the word of truth’, while in the parallel his opponents have erred concerning ‘the truth’. Centrally in ‘b’ he is to shun the babblings which rather produce a gangrenous ‘word’.