The Hymenaeus Infection

by Pastor Andrew Wolfenbarger
10/22/2023

2 Timothy 2:16-18 - "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 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 overthrow the faith of some."

I recall one famous Western that my father used to watch where a man had a wound to his leg that went untreated for an extended amount of time and gangrene set in. This was the first I had ever heard of this sickness. What gangrene is in medical terms is “localized death and decomposition of body tissue resulting from either obstructed circulation or bacterial infection.” If left untreated, the infection will spread and eventually claim the life of the infected person.

Interestingly, the word translated as “canker” in our Bible is the Greek word gangraina which happens to be the very same disease we know as gangrene. Paul compared the teachings and lifestyle of Hymenaeus to this deadly disease that would spread if not immediately cut out and removed.

This is not the only time Paul mentions this man. In 1 Timothy 1:19-20, he says, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” These are the only two references to this man in Scripture but they develop for us pretty clear picture.

1. His Lifestyle Fell Short
Paul instructs Timothy to hold the faith and to keep a good conscience (a pure moral standing) and then implicates this man by saying his faith had become a shipwreck. One may assume that Hymenaeus had started well as a Christian, but somewhere along the way, his faith crashed upon the rocks of wickedness. Perhaps he embraced a licentious lifestyle believing that he was free in Christ to do so, we cannot be sure. But one principle this teaches us is that the teachers that we entertain must be above reproach in their own personal conduct. A compelling message is no substitute for a consecrated messenger.

2. His Doctrine Fell Short
Secondly, Hymenaeus wasn’t merely a well-meaning man who had not been exposed to right teaching as was the case with Apollos (Acts 18:24). Hymenaeus had defected from right doctrine and solid teaching and now taught that the resurrection had already come and gone. We do not know what led to this doctrinal erosion in his life, but it is not coincidental that wrong doctrine produced wrong living. This man had become unteachable and unaffected by his own teachings so that they could not compel any sort of righteous lifestyle.

3. His Influence Fell Short
Paul says that Hymenaeus had “overthrown the faith of some”. This suggests that his influence had caused the defection of others from true Biblical doctrine and sound Christian living. On the other hand, Paul is encouraging Timothy to “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Hymenaeus serves as an example of the sort of teachers that we must reject. Just because someone carries a Bible and says they speak in the name of the Lord does not mean that they are of God.  Paul says in 2 Cor. 11:14, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.”.

If a man’s personal lifestyle, the doctrine that he embraces, and the conduct of his adherents do not measure up to the standards of a follower of God, we should mark them as a false teacher and shut our ears from their message. Otherwise, their message will spread in our hearts like an infection that will cause certain death in our spiritual life.