Comments on: Day 17 ~ II Timothy 2:17

By: M Staddon

M Staddon — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 01:36:37 +0000

All these Scriptures are so applicable! Being agriculturally minded, the idea of a “canker” makes me think of two things. First, the “cankerworm” (Joel 1:4) eating all the leaves off a plant (which leads to unfruitfulness and a slow death). Then there is the modern “canker” which is a fungal or bacterial infection in the bark of a tree which cuts off the flow of nutrients. Its best prevention is a vigorous, healthy tree with genetic resistance. Otherwise the only remedy is to cut off the infected portions (much like gangrene). Both “cankers” destroy fruit-bearing potential and easily lead to death. It is interesting that our best defence against “profane and vain babblings” that separate us as branches from the Vine is simply a stronger, more active connection to Him.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:32:22 +0000

Thanks for sharing what you had learned about Hymenaeus and Philetus, Sarah. That was helpful. And the verse from Matthew 12 was excellent!

By: Sarah Espineda

Sarah Espineda — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:25:05 +0000

While meditating on yesterday’s and today’s verse as I went to bed last night, the Lord brought to mind the verse from Matthew 12:35-37 “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” It is so vital to have my heart filled with the Word of God so that what comes out of me will be of Him.

By: Sarah Espineda

Sarah Espineda — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:29:18 +0000

In regards to your question, Robert, that was actually the first thing I looked into this morning, because I too was wondering who they were! Mom asked it, too! It appears that they were probably some false Christian teachers in Paul’s day. The “Annals of the World” by James Ussher records that Hymenaeus is the same person recorded in I Tim. 1:20 whom Paul had delivered over to Satan, because he had made shipwreck of his faith. By being chastised, it was Paul’s hope that they would learn not to blaspheme. Hymenaeus and Philetus both denied the resurrection, saying that it was already past (as we will see in tomorrow’s vs.).

In looking up their names in the Greek dictionary of the NT, this is what I found: for Hymenaeus (2511) it says “an opponent of Christianity”; for Philetus (5372) it says “an opposer of Christianity.”

What a gruesome illustration Paul put them with! I pray none of us will fall guilty of speaking words that “eat as doth a canker”!

Well, that is what I found.

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 04:31:26 +0000

Wow! That picture of gangrene is absolutely grotesque. Repulsive. It makes me sick in my stomach just to look at it. But it sure gets the point across! To think that words have the potential to destroy in a similar fashion!

By the way, I haven’t checked into who Hymenaeus and Philetus were. Does anyone know?

By: Joshua

Joshua — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:24:13 +0000

I must never cease to practice His presence. May I constantly remember that each word spoken is done so in the very presence of my Lord and Savior who lovingly died for my sin, my idle & unthoughtful words.
May this empower to be a minister of His grace.

By: Chad

Chad — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:42:06 +0000

Thanks for the insights Nate. It is so easy to use your words in ways that are negative or discouraging to others…sometimes without even knowing it. I personally need to make an effort to be a giver of blessing by what a say.