2 Timothy 2:17 (LSB)

Passage

and their word will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

Nearby Context

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid godless and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,

2 Timothy 2:17 and their word will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,

2 Timothy 2:18 who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to depart from wickedness.”

Study Lenses

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

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "But avoid godless and empty chatter for..." into verse 18's "who have gone astray from the truth...", so "word" and "spread" 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 "spread" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.