Hymenaeus

Hymenaeus appears twice in the Pauline letters, both times as a negative example. The first reference puts him under apostolic discipline; the second names the doctrinal error attached to his teaching.

Delivered to Satan

In the first letter to Timothy, Hymenaeus is paired with Alexander as men placed outside the church's protection so that their conduct might be corrected: "of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme" (1Ti 1:20). The discipline is corrective, aimed at unteaching blasphemy.

A Word That Spreads Like Gangrene

In the second letter to Timothy, Hymenaeus is paired this time with Philetus, and their teaching is described in medical terms: "and their word will eat as does a gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;" (2Ti 2:17). The error is then specified: "men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some" (2Ti 2:18). The denial of a future resurrection is the doctrinal point that undoes others' faith.