2 Timothy 2 · Verse 18

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 2:18, King James Version

2 Timothy 2:18 in other translations

BSBwho have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
WEBmen who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.
ASVmen who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
YLTwho concerning the truth did swerve, saying the rising again to have already been, and do overthrow the faith of some;
DARBYmen who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some.
BBEMen whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.
WebsterWho concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

What does 2 Timothy 2:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. erred--Greek, "missed the aim" (see 1Ti 6:21). is past already--has already taken place. The beginnings of the subsequent Gnostic heresy already existed. They "wrested" (2Pe 3:16) Paul's own words (Ro 6:4; Ep 2:6; Col 2:12) "to their own destruction," as though the resurrection was merely the spiritual raising of souls from the death of sin. Compare 1Co 15:12, where he shows all our hopes of future glory rest on the literal reality of the resurrection. To believe it past (as the Seleucians or Hermians did, according to Augustine [Epistles, 119.55, To Januarius, 4]), is to deny it in its true sense. overthrow--trying to subvert "the foundation" on which alone faith can rest secure (2Ti 2:19; compare Tit 1:11).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. Who concerning the truth have erred. To what extent they had erred is unknown. Paul mentions only one point--that pertaining to the resurrection; but says that this was like a gangrene. It would certainly, unless checked, destroy all the other doctrines of religion. No man can safely hold a single error, any more than he can safely have one part of his body in a state of mortification.

Saying, that the resurrection is past already. It is not known in what form they held this opinion. It may have been, as Augustine supposes, that they taught that there was no resurrection but that which occurs in the soul when it is recovered from the death of sin, and made to live anew. Or it may be that they held that those who had died had experienced all the resurrection which they ever would, by passing into another state, and receiving at death a spiritual body fitted to their mode of being in the heavenly world. Whatever was the form of the opinion, the apostle regarded it: as a most dangerous error, for just views of the resurrection undoubtedly lie at the foundation of correct apprehensions of the Christian system. Comp. 1Cor 15:12, seq.

And overthrow the faith of some. That is, on this point, and as would appear on all the correlative subjects of Christian belief. Comp. 1Timm 1:19,20.

(c) "have erred" 1Timm 6:21 (d) "saying" 1Cor 15:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 Who concerning the truth have erred - They had the truth, but erred or wandered from it, saying the resurrection was already past, and thus denying the resurrection of the body, and, by consequence, future rewards and punishments; and this necessarily sapped the foundation of all religion: and thus the gangrene had, in reference to their unhappy votaries, a rapid and unchecked operation.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:14-21

Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors. This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. None can…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 2:14-21 →

2 Timothy 2:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οἵτινεςoitineswhoG3748
περὶpericoncerningG4012
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἀλήθειανalētheiantruthG225
ἠστόχησανēstochēsanwent astrayG795
λέγοντεςlegontesassertingG3004
τὴνtēntheG3588
ἀνάστασινanastasinresurrectionG386
ἤδηēdēalreadyG2235
γεγονέναι,gegonenaito have taken place,G1096
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀνατρέπουσινanatrepousinthey are overthrowingG396
τήνtēntheG3588
τινωνtinōnof someG5100
πίστιν.pistinfaith.G4102

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 2:18

  • 1 Corinthians 15:12

    Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

  • 1 Timothy 1:19

    Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

  • Hebrews 3:10

    Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Matthew 22:29

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

  • 1 John 2:19

    They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

  • Acts 5:39

    But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

  • 1 Timothy 6:21

    Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

  • James 5:19

    Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

  • 2 Timothy 2:14

    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.

  • Luke 22:31-32

    And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:19

    For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
concerning.
Mt 22:29; 1Ti 1:19; 6:10,21; Heb 3:10; Jas 5:19
that.
1Co 15:12; Col 3:1
overthrow.
14; Mt 15:13; Lu 8:13; 22:31,32; Ac 5:39; 1Co 11:19; 1Jo 2:19

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 2:17

    And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus 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.

Read all of 2 Timothy 2

2 Timothy 2:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que se han descaminado de la verdad, diciendo que la resurrección es ya hecha, y trastornan la fe de algunos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		qui se sont écartés de la vérité, disant que la résurrection a déjà eu lieu, et qui renversent la foi de quelques-uns.
German
Elberfelder 1871		die von der Wahrheit abgeirrt sind, indem sie sagen, daß die Auferstehung schon geschehen sei, und den Glauben etlicher zerstören.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		qui a veritate exciderunt, dicentes resurrectionem esse jam factam, et subverterunt quorumdam fidem.