And their word will eat as doth a canker, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrowing the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:17-18
This is not the only mention in the Scriptures of Hymenaeus. The first occasion is in 1 Timothy 1:20, where Paul commits him and Alexander to Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme. We are not told of the nature of his blasphemy but we all know that it is not appropriate for any Christian to blaspheme. Because blasphemy is the language of the world, especially of those who oppose Christ, blasphemy is highly destructive to the testimony of any Christian who would stoop to this sin. Now, in today’s text, Paul associates this same Hymenaeus with another miscreant, this time the false teacher Philetus. Between them, these men are teaching a doctrine that is causing other Christians to stumble and fall to the wayside. This is a doctrine that eats like a canker, or gangrene, highly destructive. And Paul warns against both the doctrine and those who would teach it.
Note that these men were not exactly denying the resurrection. No, they were more subtle than that. Their doctrine was that the resurrection was already past. This meant that it was too late for anyone who had been ‘left behind’. We can see how this would overthrow the faith of anyone who would believe these liars. The resurrection is a doctrine that is critical to our faith. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-22, Paul declares the importance of the resurrection: ‘Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.’ This means that the resurrection of the Christians cannot be passed, because we are in Christ, and share His resurrection.
Paul’s condemnation is not only that Hymenaeus and Philetus taught false doctrine, but that in doing so they led others astray. This is a very grave sin, as the Word of God makes plain. The Lord Jesus Himself condemned it: ‘whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea’ (Mark 9:42). Sadly, we see many around us who are guilty of this terrible crime, people who are deceived themselves, people who are rank opponents of Christ, and people who are pursuing filthy lucre. They face an awful judgment. Let this serve as a warning for us, that we never distort the Word of God, but teach its doctrines with truth and sincerity.
Our resurrection is not yet passed. This is our great hope, founded on the resurrection of our Saviour. Let none be led aside by those who would deny it. – Jim MacIntosh