In a ‘mid-Acts’ message entitled "Timing Is Everything," I heard the associate 'shepherd' (who thinks he has no sheep) belabor a point he made about the word "saying" in 2 Tim 2:18. He taught that Hymenaeus and Philetus were not really ‘preaching’ that the resurrection was already past .... but that they were "just saying" it .... "only talking" about it, sort of like spreading gossip, as busybodies.
2 Tim 2:15-18 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying [lego] that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Now that I am no longer a ‘mid-Acts-er’ .... in my curiosity, I looked up the Greek word for "saying." It is [lego]. Can you imagine where it is also used? How about we apply the ‘mid-Acts’ preacher’s explanation of "saying" [lego] as "just saying" not ‘preaching’ (in 2 Tim 2:18) to 1 Thess 4:15, where the same Greek word is found?
1 Thess 4:15-16 For this we say [lego] unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Do you think that Paul was .... not really ‘teaching’ with authority by the Lord’s word about the resurrection at the coming of the Lord .... but, more like, Paul was simply stirring up rumors .... just telling a tale? Not me!
But I think the ‘mid-Acts’ preacher tried to squirm out of the truth in 2 Tim 2:18, and as a result, he wrested the verse.
This is David Dowell, just saying, "Think about it!"
.
