2 Timothy 2 Pt. 8 Know God's Word And Avoid Spiritual Gangrene!

Remember and study the Word of God for it protects against error.

2 Timothy 2:14-15  Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15)  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Paul reminds Timothy of the central gospel truths that he must help the churches to remember, so that the scriptures can govern their words and actions.

This is followed by a command for pastors, elders, church leaders, all Christians and parents, to study the scriptures. 

This is how our new man in Christ is fed. Studying the Bible is how we are transformed and renewed.

I bring these two texts back before us because our instruction from God's Word has a direct bearing upon the remainder of this chapter.

Paul gave us the doctrine and now we receive the practice of our faith. 

If we are not armed with a working knowledge and submission to the Word of God, then we will not be able to discern truth from error.

Avoid angry arguments and foolish conversations. 

2 Timothy 2:16  But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 

The idea of "shunning" false teaching is that of erecting a barrier of God's truth around our mind so that the enemy cannot get in and do us harm.

We must know and use the Truth to combat error and heresy. 

Titus 1:9-14  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10)  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12)  One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13)  This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14)  Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 

Paul gave a similar warning to Titus about avoiding any conversation that turns people from the truth, or that is nothing more than verbal wrangling about worthless things (See Titus 3:9).

Paul began by exhorting Titus to hold fast to the Word of God and to learn its doctrines well, so that spiritual error can be exposed and condemned. 

Paul told Titus that there are many vain babblers whose mouths must be stopped because they are subverting the faith of some professing Christians. 

Such vain babblers are only spreading heresy in order to personally enrich themselves.  

We must shun "vain babblings" which are loud arguments about things that do not matter for eternity. It is being embroiled in disputes about things that are worthless in the sight of God. 

All vain babblings have a harmful impact upon the soul. How? By inducing people to become increasingly ungodly in their words and conduct. 

As you can readily discern, our culture seems to be dominated by vain babblings!

Vain babblings lead to a deadly spiritual gangrene. 

2 Timothy 2:17-18  And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18)  Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 

Now Paul is going to give Timothy a clear illustration of vain babblers. The words of vain babblers eats away at our heart, and is like a deadly poison. 

In fact, the Greek word translated "canker" is contained in the word "gangrene." 

Gangrene is something that no one wants to contract. It is a horrible infection where the circulation is stopped, and decay takes place. 

If not quickly treated, gangrene will spread and corrupt more of the body until death occurs, unless stopped by a timely and judicious application of medicine. 

Such is the perverse influence of false doctrine. The only method of prevention or cure is timely application of the Word of God.  This is why the command to study the scriptures is so vital for us. 

Paul calls out two men as examples of vain babblers spreading deadly poison in the churches.  

Hymenaeus is a man upon whom Paul previously used his apostolic authority to deliver him to Satan, because he was blaspheming the Lord Jesus Christ (See 1 Timothy 1:20).

The root of his error was teaching that the resurrection of life had already happened. 

This meant that the church had been taken from the world by Christ at the "rapture" (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

They had the truth, but turned away from it, saying the resurrection was already past, and thus denying the resurrection of the body, and, by consequence, future rewards and punishments. 

Their false teaching necessarily attacked the foundation of the Christian faith and thus their gangrene had spread causing great turmoil and harm.

In fact, their false teaching overthrew the faith of some professing Christians who were swayed by false doctrine instead of remaining anchored to the Word of God. 

This is why Paul commands us to study the scriptures. 

This is why we must remember to fill our hearts and minds with the truth of God's Word. 

Scripture is the protective barrier around our mind against spiritual gangrene. 

We must read it, study it, submit to it and live by it.

This is where we find the blessed life.

Bob