The Meaning of 2 Timothy 2:18 Explained

2 Timothy 2:18

KJV: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

YLT: who concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;

Darby: men who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.

ASV: men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Who  concerning  the truth  have erred,  saying  that the resurrection  is past  already;  and  overthrow  the faith  of some. 

What does 2 Timothy 2:18 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Timothy 2:10-18 - "approved Unto God"
The elect, 2 Timothy 2:10-13 : The Apostle sketches the experiences of the elect soul. It must endure, suffer, and die with Christ, that out of its surrender may come the truest, richest life, John 12:25. There is no path to lasting success save that of the cross and grave of Christ. It has been allotted to the redeemed in the divine program; each must tread it separately and with resolute purpose. But there is no doubt as to the sequel of a true life. The world of men may count it a failure, but God pledges Himself that as the pendulum swings here in the dark, it shall swing equally in yonder world of light. Three things are impossible with God-to die, to lie, and to fail the soul that trusts Him. Even when we cannot muster faith enough, His word of promise cannot be frustrated in the case of those whose faith is weak and trembling as the smoking flax.
The workman, 2 Timothy 2:14-18 : The one anxiety with us all should be to stand approved before God. As the r.v. margin suggests, we must hold a straight course in the word of truth. Our testimony should resemble an undeviating furrow. Let us construct in our life something which will be a permanent addition to the well-being of the world, so that at the last the Master may say that He is satisfied. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 2

1  Timothy is exhorted again to constancy and perseverance
17  Of Hymenaeus and Philetus
19  The foundation of the Lord is sure
22  He is taught whereof to beware, and what to follow after

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 2:18

Men who [οιτινες]
“The very ones who.” [source]
Have erred [ηστοχησαν]
“Missed the mark.” First aorist active indicative of αστοχεω — astocheō for which see note on 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:21. That the resurrection is past already (αναστασιν ηδη γεγονεναι — anastasin ēdē gegonenai). Second perfect active infinitive of γινομαι — ginomai in indirect assertion after λεγοντες — legontes (saying) with the accusative of general reference (αναστασιν — anastasin). Overthrow See note on Titus 1:11. [source]
That the resurrection is past already [αναστασιν ηδη γεγονεναι]
Second perfect active infinitive of γινομαι — ginomai in indirect assertion after λεγοντες — legontes (saying) with the accusative of general reference (αναστασιν — anastasin). [source]
Overthrow [ανατρεπουσιν]
See note on Titus 1:11. [source]
Have erred [ἠστόχησαν]
See on 1 Timothy 1:6. [source]
The resurrection [ἀνάστασιν]
Only here in Pastorals. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 2:18

Philippians 3:15 Toward the mark [κατὰ σκοπὸν]
Rev., goal. Bear down upon ( κατά ). Σκοπός markonly here in the New Testament. See on look, Phlippians 2:4. Used in the classics of a mark for shooting at, or as a moral or intellectual end. A somewhat similar figure occurs 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18, in the verb ἀστοχέω tomiss the aim or the shot. A.V., swerved and erred. [source]
Philippians 3:15 Toward the mark [κατὰ σκοπὸν]
Rev., goal. Bear down upon ( κατά ). Σκοπός markonly here in the New Testament. See on look, Phlippians 2:4. Used in the classics of a mark for shooting at, or as a moral or intellectual end. A somewhat similar figure occurs 1 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18, in the verb ἀστοχέω tomiss the aim or the shot. A.V., swerved and erred. [source]
1 Timothy 6:21 Erred [ἠστόχησαν]
See on 1 Timothy 1:6, and comp. 2 Timothy 2:18. [source]
1 Timothy 1:19 Concerning faith have made shipwreck [περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν]
Better, “concerning the faith made shipwreck.” For a similar use of περὶ concerningsee Acts 19:25; Luke 10:40; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8. It is noteworthy that περὶ with the accusative occurs only once in Paul (Philemon 2:23). Ναυαγεῖν tomake shipwreck only here and 2 Corinthians 11:25. Nautical metaphors are rare in Paul's writings. [source]
1 Timothy 1:6 Having swerved [αστοχησαντες]
First aorist active participle of αστοχεω — astocheō compound Koiné{[28928]}š verb (Polybius, Plutarch) from αστοχος — astochos (α — a privative and στοχος — stochos a mark), “having missed the mark.” In N.T. only here, 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18. With the ablative case ων — hōn (which). [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 The sound doctrine [τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ]
A phrase peculiar to the Pastorals. Ὑγιαίνειν tobe in good health, Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; 3 John 1:2. oP. Quite frequent in lxx, and invariably in the literal sense. Often in salutations or dismissals. See 9:19; 2Samuel href="/desk/?q=2sa+14:8&sr=1">2 Samuel 14:8; Exodus 4:18. In the Pastorals, the verb, which occurs eight times, is six times associated with διδασκαλία teachingor λόγοι wordsand twice with ἐν τῇ πίστει or τῇ πίστει inthe faith. The sound teaching (comp. διδαχή teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9) which is thus commended is Paul's, who teaches in Christ's name and by his authority (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:8). In all the three letters it is called ἀλη.θεια or ἡ ἀλήθεια thetruth, the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of which is bound up with salvation. See 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1. As truth it is sound or healthful. It is the object of faith. To be sound in the faith is, practically, to follow ( παρακολουθεῖν ) sound teaching or the truth. The subjective characteristic of Christians is εὐσέβεια or θεοσέβεια godlinessor piety (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 1 Timothy 6:11); and the teaching and knowledge of the truth are represented as κατ ' εὐσέβειαν accordingto godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1). Comp. εὐσεβεῖν toshow piety, 1 Timothy 5:4. εὐσεβῶς ζῇν to live godly, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; and βίον διάγειν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ tolead a life in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. The contents of this sound teaching which is according to godliness are not theoretical or dogmatic truth, but Christian ethics, with faith and love. See 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2. Ἁλήθεια truthis used of moral things, rather than in the high religious sense of Paul. Comp., for instance, Romans 3:7; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 2:5; Ephesians 4:21, Ephesians 4:24; and 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 3:7(comp. 2 Timothy 3:1-9); 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:12(comp. Titus 1:11, Titus 1:15); Titus 2:4(comp. Titus 2:1, Titus 2:3); Titus 3:1. Whoever grasps the truth has faith (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:3f.). That the ethical character of faith is emphasized, appears from the numerous expressions regarding the false teachers, as 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21. There is a tendency to objectify faith, regarding it as something believed rather than as the act of believing. See 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21; Titus 1:4. In comparing the ideal of righteousness (1 Timothy 1:9) with that of Paul, note that it is not denied that Christ is the source of true righteousness; but according to Paul, the man who is not under the law is the man who lives by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes this. It is faith in Christ which sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (1 Timothy 1:9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.| [source]
2 Timothy 2:19 The foundation of God standeth sure [ὁ στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ θεοῦ ἕστηκεν]
Wrong. Στερεὸς sureis attributive, not predicative. Rend. the firm foundation of God standeth. The phrase foundation of God, N.T.o Θεμέλιος foundationis an adjective, and λίθος stoneis to be supplied. It is not to be taken by metonymy for οἰκία house(2 Timothy 2:20), but must be interpreted consistently with it, and, in a loose way, represents or foreshadows it. So we speak of an endowed institution as a foundation. By “the sure foundation of God” is meant the church, which is “the pillar and stay of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), by means of which the truth of God is to withstand the assaults of error. The church has its being in the contents of “the sound teaching” (1 Timothy 1:10), which is “according to godliness” (1 Timothy 6:3), and which is deposited in it. “The mystery of godliness “ is intrusted to it (1 Timothy 3:16). Its servants possess “the mystery of the faith” (1 Timothy 3:9). In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Christ is represented as “ the chief corner-stone.” In Ephesians 2:20, the church is built “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets,” with Christ as the corner-stone, and grows into a “holy temple ( ναὸν ) in the Lord.” Here, the church itself is the foundation, and the building is conceived as a great dwelling-house. While the conception of the church here does not contradict that of Paul, the difference is apparent between it and the conception in Ephesians, where the church is the seat of the indwelling and energy of the Holy Spirit. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17. Στερεός firmonly here, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:14, and 1 Peter 5:9(note). Ἕστηκεν standethin contrast with overthrow (2 Timothy 2:18). [source]
Titus 1:11 Overthrow [ανατρεπουσιν]
Old and common verb, to turn up, to overturn. In N.T. only here and 2 Timothy 2:18. In papyri to upset a family by perversion of one member. Things which they ought not (α μη δει — ha mē dei). Note subjective negative μη — mē with indefinite relative and indicative mode. For filthy lucre‘s sake The Cretans are given a bad reputation for itinerating prophets for profit by Polybius, Livy, Plutarch. Paul‘s warnings in 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:5 reveal it as “a besetting temptation of the professional teacher” (Parry). See Titus 1:7 above. Disgraceful gain, made in shameful ways. [source]
Titus 1:11 Who subvert [οἵτινες ἀνατρέπουσιν]
The double relative is explanatory of must; in as much as they, etc. For subvert rend. overthrow. See on 2 Timothy 2:18. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 2:18 mean?

who concerning the truth have gone astray asserting the resurrection already to have taken place and they are overthrowing the of some faith
οἵτινες περὶ τὴν ἀλήθειαν ἠστόχησαν λέγοντες [τὴν] ἀνάστασιν ἤδη γεγονέναι καὶ ἀνατρέπουσιν τήν τινων πίστιν

περὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
ἀλήθειαν  truth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀλήθεια  
Sense: objectively.
ἠστόχησαν  have  gone  astray 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀστοχέω  
Sense: to deviate from, miss (the mark).
λέγοντες  asserting 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
ἀνάστασιν  resurrection 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνάστασις  
Sense: a raising up, rising (e.
ἤδη  already 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ἤδη  
Sense: now, already.
γεγονέναι  to  have  taken  place 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Infinitive Active
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἀνατρέπουσιν  they  are  overthrowing 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀνατρέπω  
Sense: to overthrow, overturn, destroy.
τινων  of  some 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: τὶς  
Sense: a certain, a certain one.
πίστιν  faith 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.