14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.

15 Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.

16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, 17 and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Words have such a huge impact on people’s lives. When I reflect on some of the more significant moments in my life, so many of them involve words being spoken. I can think of specific moments in time when gospel truths have hit home and reshaped how I think and behave.

In today’s passage the apostle Paul warns Timothy about how important the connection between words and godliness is. On one hand, irreverent, empty chatter, quarrelling over words, and false gospel lies can have a devastating impact on listeners, leading them to ruin and ungodliness. On the other hand, one who handles the Word of truth accurately is one who presents themselves approved to God.

When I stand before God at the very end, what kind of Christian brother will he have seen me be? Will I have been like Hymenaeus and Philetus who deviated from the truth, spreading irreverent and empty chatter like gangrene?  Or will I be like Timothy, someone who was an unashamed workman who made every effort to know what the Word of truth is, and to stand firm in it?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.