SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:18
que se han descaminado de la verdad, diciendo que la resurreccin es ya hecha, y trastornaron la fe de algunos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 2:18
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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 18. Who concerning the truth have erred , etc.] That is, the two persons just mentioned; they fell from the truth, wandered and departed from it; they did not keep to the Scriptures of truth, but deviated from them; they missed that mark, and went astray into gross errors and mistakes; rejected the Gospel, the word of truth, in general, and particularly in saying, that the resurrection is past already ; and no other is to be expected; or that there was no future resurrection of the dead: their error was, as some think, that there is no other resurrection than that of parents in their children, who, though they die, live in their posterity; or than the resurrection of Christ, and of the saints, that rose at the same time; or rather, that there is no other resurrection than the spiritual one, or regeneration, which is a quickening of dead sinners, or the resurrection of them from the death of sin, to a life of grace; which seems to be the truest account of their principle, seeing this is what has been received and propagated by others since; though some have thought that they gave into the Palingenesia of the Pythagoreans, who supposed that when men die, their souls go into other bodies; and that these men imagined, that this is all the resurrection that will be: and others have been of opinion, that their notion was, that whereas the deliverance of the Jews out of the Babylonish captivity is signified by a resurrection of them, in ( Ezekiel 37:1-28) that this is the resurrection they meant was past, and no other to be looked for; but that which has been fixed upon seems to be the truest account: and overthrow the faith of some ; the Ethiopic version reads, of many; that is, of nominal professors of religion; not of true believers, for true faith cannot be overthrown. Hence it follows, Ver. 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure , etc.] That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of his grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God, and prevalent mediation of Jesus Christ; and so cannot be overthrown by false teachers, when an historical faith, or the faith of temporary believers may: or the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is here meant, which was said to be past by the above false teachers; which is a fundamental doctrine of the Gospel, without which the preaching of it is vain, and faith is vain; and which is a doctrine of God, of pure revelation; and this will be effected by his power: this stands sure upon the testimony of the patriarchs, prophets, and of Christ, and his apostles; upon the sure word and writings both of the Old and New Testament; and will stand its ground against all opposition, and will have its certain effect; for the Lord Jesus knows who are his distinctly and perfectly; nor will he lose them, nor anything that belongs to them; not their bodies, any more than their souls, nor any dust of theirs, but will raise it up at the last day. Or else the doctrine of eternal election may be here designed; which is the foundation of all spiritual blessings, of faith and of holiness, of joy and comfort here, and happiness hereafter, and even of complete and everlasting salvation; and is of God's laying, and is owing to his sovereign pleasure and free rich grace; and stands sure, not on the foot of works, but upon the unchangeable and unfrustrable will of God; and this secures from a final and total deception by false teachers: and also into the account may be taken the persons of God's elect themselves; who are of God's founding, and are as immovable as the firmest foundation whatever, even as rocks and mountains, and stand sure upon the rock of ages, Christ Jesus, and shall never perish; nor can they be deceived by false Christs and false prophets, but will remain safe and sound, when the faith of ever so many is subverted by them. Having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his : faith is sealed and insured to God's elect, by his foreknowledge and predestination of them; so that they certainly have it, and shall never lose it: and their election is according to God's foreknowledge of them; which designs not a foresight of their faith, holiness, and good works, as the motives of his choosing them; nor a bare prescience of their persons; but such a foreknowledge as includes special love to them, which is distinguishing, unchangeable, and everlasting; and this being a seal affixed to all the elect, shows the distinguishing grace of God in their election, the secrecy of it, and its firmness and irrevocableness, and also the safety of the chosen ones; things being sealed, to distinguish one thing from another, and to keep things secret, or to render them firm and authentic. So, among the Jews, seals were used in buying and selling, that it might be known what was bought, and to confirm the purchase f9 . The inference from this comfortable doctrine is, and let everyone that nameth the name of Christ ; or of the Lord, as the Alexandrian copy, and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions read; that is, whoever either are called by the name of Christ, or Christians, or whoever call upon his name: let them depart from iniquity ; both from doctrinal iniquity, the errors and heresies of the above false teachers, which increased to ungodliness, and ate as a gangrene, and were the subversion of the faith of some; and from all practical iniquity, which those men, and their followers, especially the Gnostics, were guilty of; and, generally speaking, when men make shipwreck of faith, they put away a good conscience: and the apostle may also mean, that all such should depart from iniquitous men, from men whether of bad principles or practices, or both, and have no fellowship with them, it being unworthy of the name by which they were called. Some reference seems to be had to ( Numbers 16:5,26) and so the false teachers, and their followers, may be compared to Korah, and his company, and the elect of God to Moses, and the Lord's people, who were bid to depart from the tents of those wicked men; and who stood firm, sure, and safe, when the earth opened, and swallowed up the others.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 14-21 - Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of smal moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostl mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but the corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish of erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. Non can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. The other speak our duty. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make conscience of the duty Christ gave himself for us, that he might redee us from all iniquity, Tit 2:14. The church of Christ is like dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of smaller value, an put to meaner uses. Some professors of religion are like vessels of wood and earth. When the vessels of dishonour are cast out to be destroyed, the others will be filled with all the fulness of God. We must see to it that we are holy vessels. Every one in the church who God approves, will be devoted to his Master's service, and thus fitte for his use.
Greek Textus Receptus
οιτινες 3748 περι 4012 την 3588 αληθειαν 225 ηστοχησαν 795 5656 λεγοντες 3004 5723 την 3588 αναστασιν 386 ηδη 2235 γεγονεναι 1096 5755 και 2532 ανατρεπουσιν 396 5719 την 3588 τινων 5100 πιστιν 4102
Vincent's NT Word Studies
18. Have erred (hstochsan). See on 1 Tim. i. 6.
The resurrection (anastasin). Only here in Pastorals.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:18 {Men who} (hoitines). "The very ones who." {Have erred} (estocesan). "Missed the mark." First aorist active indicative of astocew, for which see #1Ti 1:6; 6:21. {That the resurrection is past already} (anastasin ede gegonenai). Second perfect active infinitive of ginomai in indirect assertion after legontes (saying) with the accusative of general reference (anastasin). {Overthrow} (anatrepousin). See #Tit 1:11.
