2 Timothy 2:16-18 16But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
I was curious to find out more about the "spread like gangrene" part of this verse. This is what I found and I pray it makes sense and I pray even moreso that I have understood correctly….
γάγγραινα, γαγγραινης, ἡ (γράω or γραίνω to
gnaw, eat), a gangrene, a disease by which
any part of the body suffering from inflammation becomes so corrupted that,
unless a remedy be seasonably applied, the evil continually spreads, attacks
other parts, and at last eats away the bones: 2 Timothy
2:17 (where
cf. Ellicott). (Medical writings (cf. Wetstein (1752) at the
passage cited); Plutarch, diser.
am. et adulat. c. 36.)
What I also found interesting is that in v. 17 the word “spread” means to actually have an increase of evil, like gangrene.
Interestingly enough the greek root word for gangrene is very similar to the greek root word for gnaw (see above). The definition for gnaw means to eat away little by little. So if I have understood correctly, then I understand this verse to mean irreverent, empty speech that produces godlessness from those who have deviated from the truth (as Paul mentions to Timothy) spreads evil so quickly among us and that the evil will gnaw away at us bit by bit until it eats away at our bones.
Jeremiah 20:9 says, “His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones.”Since the fire of the Lord is in our bones, then let's also remember 2 Tim 1:6 which says to “keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you”
So what is the remedy we can seasonably apply to the "gangrene" that threatens us?? The grace of Jesus is our salve. We cannot buy the lies of Satan. The lies that we believe when Satan tells us only half truths of who God is. Heresy about the Word of God such as Hymenaeus & Philetus were spreading. Gossip that sneaks into our minds and ears with the intent of bringing harm to those around us. It is only the grace of Jesus applied to the evil that surrounds us that we can stop the gangrene from spreading.
If we do not hold ourselves accountable to the study the truth, then the irreverent, empty speech that produces ungodlessness in others has the ability to gnaw away at us little by little. The evil will spread until the flame that was in our bones is slowly put out and our faith has dwindled. We must hold onto the beauty of God’s word. Know what it says. Keep it whole. Keep it righteous. Keep it holy and guard it in our hearts.
Thank God He is still faithful even when we are faithless. (2 Timothy 2:13) We must do what we can to fan the flames… the gifts that God has given us… lest we miss out on some abundant blessings from the Father. In the words of a scared parent asking Jesus to heal his son, "Oh God, help my unbelief"! (Mark 9:24) (emphasis added is my own). May we hold onto Jesus through all manner of storms and hold onto His correct teaching that we may not allow gangrene to take hold of us in any way.
