2 Timothy 2:17 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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

2 Timothy 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "word", "doth", "canker", "hymenaeus", and "philetus". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "word" and "doth", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "But shun profane and vain babblings for..." into verse 18's "Who concerning the truth have erred saying...", so "word" and "doth" belong inside that flow. In 2 Timothy context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "word" and "doth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.