2 Timothy 2:17 (DRB)

Passage

And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:

Nearby Context

2 Timothy 2:15 Carefully study to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they grow much towards ungodliness.

2 Timothy 2:17 And their speech spreadeth like a canker: of whom are Hymeneus and Philetus:

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

2 Timothy 2:19 But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "speech", "spreadeth", "like", "canker", "hymeneus", and "philetus". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "speech" and "spreadeth", 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 have erred from the truth saying...", so "speech" and "spreadeth" 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 "speech" and "spreadeth" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.