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2 Timothy 2:14–19, King James Version
Italic words were supplied in the English translation for clarity.
2 Timothy 2:14–19
Handle the Word Straight and Avoid Ruinous Speech
Straight handling names a real error and refuses a smear
Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good and ruins the hearers. Present yourself to God as an approved worker, unashamed, handling the word of truth straight. Avoid profane empty talk; it will spread like gangrene.
Hymenaeus and Philetus are named because they swerved from the truth, saying the resurrection has already happened, and they are overturning some people's faith. They are those two opponents and that error, not a type you may stamp on anyone you dislike. God's firm foundation stands: the Lord knows those who are his, and let everyone who names the Lord's name depart from iniquity. Rightly dividing describes honest, unskewed use of the word. It does not by itself establish one dispensational chart, denominational method, or teacher's monopoly on interpretation.
How this should shape us
Before you start a fight about words, ask whether it helps anyone stay in the truth. Name a real error when it wrecks hope, as this unit names a claim that the resurrection is already past. Do not turn Hymenaeus and Philetus into a smear for your rivals, and do not treat your chart as the only straight cut.
Teach it back
Explain 2 Timothy 2:14–19 in your own words. Include its place in 2 Timothy's movement, the unit's logic, one material uncertainty, and one misuse the context rules out.
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Go deeper
The explanation above is meant to stand on its own. Open these notes only if you want language, history, disagreements, or source locations.
Where careful interpreters disagreeThe strongest options and their difficulties
Where do careful interpreters disagree?
Best judgment: Interpreters differ over the exact metaphor behind orthotomeō, the nature of the realized-resurrection teaching, and the foundation/seal image. Accurate handling, protection of hearers, future resurrection, and ethical departure from wrong are secure.
How certain? probableResearch trail and exact locationsThe source record behind this section
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
2 Timothy 2:14–19, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Tim.txt, 2:14–19
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
NET Bible official 2 Timothy PDF, 2:14–19 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Supports: Historical-critical orientation, authorship and date alternatives, Timothy setting, outline, false-teaching restraint, and letter theology.
Enter the Bible 2 Timothy course, Summary, Outline, Background, Introductory Issues, and Theological Themes; applied to 2 Timothy 2:14–19
Supports: Direct-Pauline alternative, whole-letter flow, verse exposition, theological synthesis, and confessional application.
Jeon, '2 Timothy,' section covering 2:14–19, with Authority and Audience, introduction, outline, bibliography, and endnotes
Supports: Full-letter historical exegesis, Greek and KJV-language notes, unit boundaries, historical alternatives, and verse-level interpretation.
Lock, ICC Pastoral Epistles PDF, 2 Timothy introduction printed pp. 77–82 and commentary printed pp. 97–100
Supports: Risen Jesus, unbound word, faithful saying, speech ethics, suffering, and preservation of tradition.
Skinner, 'Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:8–15,' complete sections Reliability of Jesus and the Gospel and What Timothy Is Supposed To Do
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Timothy 2:14–19
Sources for This Section
These records identify the source, the claim it supports, and the exact location used. A source remains evidence to evaluate; it does not replace the biblical text.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing KJV wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Timothy 2:14–19, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, morphology targets, and base text for original-language discussion.
Exact location: Faithlife SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Tim.txt, 2:14–19
Open the 2 Timothy Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Timothy with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level syntax, KJV-era wording, textual alternatives, and interpretive notes.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Timothy PDF, 2:14–19 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 2 Timothy PDF ↗modern scholarly book introduction
2 Timothy course: summary, outline, background, introductory issues, and theological themes
Arland J. Hultgren; revised by Mary Hinkle Shore
Enter the Bible, Luther Seminary, 2023 revision
Supports: Historical-critical orientation, authorship and date alternatives, Timothy setting, outline, false-teaching restraint, and letter theology.
Exact location: Enter the Bible 2 Timothy course, Summary, Outline, Background, Introductory Issues, and Theological Themes; applied to 2 Timothy 2:14–19
Open source ↗modern open commentary
2 Timothy
Paul Jeon
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: Direct-Pauline alternative, whole-letter flow, verse exposition, theological synthesis, and confessional application.
Exact location: Jeon, '2 Timothy,' section covering 2:14–19, with Authority and Audience, introduction, outline, bibliography, and endnotes
Open source ↗public domain critical commentary
A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles
Walter Lock
T&T Clark, International Critical Commentary, 1924
Supports: Full-letter historical exegesis, Greek and KJV-language notes, unit boundaries, historical alternatives, and verse-level interpretation.
Exact location: Lock, ICC Pastoral Epistles PDF, 2 Timothy introduction printed pp. 77–82 and commentary printed pp. 97–100
Open source ↗modern scholarly pastoral commentary
Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:8–15
Matthew L. Skinner
Working Preacher, Luther Seminary, 2013
Supports: Risen Jesus, unbound word, faithful saying, speech ethics, suffering, and preservation of tradition.
Exact location: Skinner, 'Commentary on 2 Timothy 2:8–15,' complete sections Reliability of Jesus and the Gospel and What Timothy Is Supposed To Do
Open source ↗Lexical and grammatical evidence
STEP Bible Data
Tyndale House Cambridge
Tyndale House Cambridge, repository snapshot verified 2026
Supports: Independent morphology, form, and lexical-range cross-check for material Greek claims.
Exact location: STEP Bible Data repository, Greek morphology and lexical records for 2 Timothy 2:14–19
Open source ↗