Lexical Definition
Φίλητος Phílētos (fil-ay-tos') Philetus N:N-M-P
from φιλέω
Philetus.
- amiable
- Philetus, an opposer of Christianity
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Φίλητοσ | Philetus | 2Tim.2.17 |
Abbott-Smith
φίλητός (T, Φιλητός), -ου, ὁ
Philetus: II Ti 2:17.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 2 Timothy | 2:17 |
Liddell-Scott-Jones
Φίλητος-ητός, ή, όν,
to be loved, worthy of love, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τὰ φ. objects of love, [Refs]
__II adverb -τῶς in a friendly spirit, [Refs]
Profile
Male • False teacher who opposed Paul
Man living at the time of the New Testament
Philetus, along with Hymenaeus, was a false teacher who had strayed from the truth and taught that the resurrection had already taken place.
- A man living at the time of the New Testament, only mentioned at 2Ti.2.17;
- only referred to as Philetus Φίλητος.
Philetus is mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:17 as one of two individuals, along with Hymenaeus, who had strayed from the truth and were promoting false teachings in the early Christian church. According to Paul, their message was spreading like gangrene, causing spiritual harm to those who listened to them.
The specific false teaching promoted by Philetus and Hymenaeus was that the resurrection had already taken place (2 Timothy 2:18). This belief contradicted the Christian doctrine of a future bodily resurrection and threatened to undermine the faith of some believers.
Paul's mention of Philetus and Hymenaeus serves as a warning to Timothy, and by extension, to all Christians, about the danger of false teachings and the importance of adhering to sound doctrine. The passage also emphasizes the need for church leaders to confront and correct those who spread false teachings, in order to protect the spiritual well-being of the church.
All entries for Philetus: Φίλητος