Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 TIMOTHY 2:18KJV
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2 Timothy 2:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Timothy 2:18 mean?

2 Timothy 2:18 describes certain people who have gone astray from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already happened, which has caused some believers to lose their faith. The verse warns about the real harm caused when people teach ideas that go against the core message of Christian hope.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader, about problems in the early Christian community. He points out that some individuals are spreading a teaching that the resurrection—a central hope for Christians—has already taken place. This teaching is not just a minor disagreement; it is leading some people to abandon their trust in the Christian message.

The Greek behind 2 Timothy 2:18

  • ἀληθείας (alētheias, "truth"): This word points to the core message or reality that Christians are meant to hold onto. The verse is not about a small error, but about straying from what is central.
  • ἀνέστησιν (anastasin, "resurrection"): This refers specifically to the resurrection, a key belief about life after death. Claiming it is "past already" changes the entire meaning of Christian hope.
  • ἀνατρέπουσιν (anatrepousin, "overthrow"): This word carries the sense of turning something upside down or destroying it. The verse is saying that this false teaching does real damage to people's faith, not just causing confusion.

Why 2 Timothy 2:18 matters

  • The verse clarifies that not every disagreement is harmless; some teachings can truly undermine the foundation of faith for others.
  • It shows that Paul saw the resurrection as a future hope, not something already completed, which helps explain why this teaching was so serious.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Paul urges Timothy to guard the message carefully and to be alert to teachings that could harm the community.

Where else these words appear

“overthrow” Greek G396 · used in 2 verses

  • Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

“erred” Greek G795 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Timothy 1:6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
  • 1 Timothy 6:21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.

“resurrection” Greek G386 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
  • John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
  • Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

“already” Greek G2235 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
  • John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.