2 Timothy Chapter 2 · Verse 17

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 2 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος word G3056
λόγος word
Strong's: G3056
Word #: 3 of 13
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
αὐτῶν their G846
αὐτῶν their
Strong's: G846
Word #: 4 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὡς as G5613
ὡς as
Strong's: G5613
Word #: 5 of 13
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
γάγγραινα doth a canker G1044
γάγγραινα doth a canker
Strong's: G1044
Word #: 6 of 13
an ulcer ("gangrene")
νομὴν G3542
νομὴν
Strong's: G3542
Word #: 7 of 13
pasture, i.e., (the act) feeding (figuratively, spreading of a gangrene), or (the food) pasturage
ἕξει will eat G2192
ἕξει will eat
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 8 of 13
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ὧν of whom G3739
ὧν of whom
Strong's: G3739
Word #: 9 of 13
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐστιν is G2076
ἐστιν is
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 10 of 13
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Ὑμέναιος Hymenaeus G5211
Ὑμέναιος Hymenaeus
Strong's: G5211
Word #: 11 of 13
"hymenaeal"; hymenaeus, an opponent of christianity
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 12 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Φίλητος Philetus G5372
Φίλητος Philetus
Strong's: G5372
Word #: 13 of 13
amiable; philetus, an opposer of christianity

Analysis & Commentary

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus. Paul illustrates v. 16's warning with medical metaphor. "Their word will eat as doth a canker" (kai ho logos autōn hōs gangraina nomēn hexei, καὶ ὁ λόγος αὐτῶν ὡς γάγγραινα νομὴν ἕξει). Gangraina (γάγγραινα) gives us "gangrene"—necrotic tissue spreading infection, destroying healthy flesh. Nomē (νομή) means pasturage, spreading growth—the verb form means "to spread, to eat away." False teaching spreads like gangrene, consuming spiritual health, destroying faith.

This metaphor emphasizes several realities:

  1. False doctrine is deadly, not merely mistaken.
  2. It spreads progressively if not excised.
  3. It destroys living tissue—genuine believers can be damaged.
  4. Surgical removal (church discipline) is necessary to stop spread.

Tolerance of heresy endangers the entire body. Paul names two heretics: "Hymenaeus and Philetus" (Hymenaios kai Philētos, Ὑμέναιος καὶ Φίλητος). Hymenaeus appears in 1 Timothy 1:20 as excommunicated. Philetus is mentioned only here.

Naming names serves several purposes: warns believers to avoid these men specifically, provides accountability (public sin receives public rebuke), illustrates that false teaching has human agents, not merely abstract errors. Paul isn't being uncharitable but protecting the flock. Shepherds must warn sheep about specific wolves.

Historical Context

Ancient medicine understood gangrene's deadly nature. Without antibiotics or surgical intervention, gangrene killed through sepsis. Amputation was often necessary to save lives. Paul's readers grasped the severity. Hymenaeus's reappearance (mentioned in both 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy) suggests persistent false teaching despite excommunication. This illustrated the difficulty of eliminating heresy once established. Church discipline was normal practice—unrepentant false teachers were identified publicly and removed from fellowship (Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Titus 3:10-11).

Questions for Reflection