2 Timothy 2 19

2 Timothy 2:19 kjv

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19 nkjv

Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

2 Timothy 2:19 niv

Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

2 Timothy 2:19 esv

But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

2 Timothy 2:19 nlt

But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."

2 Timothy 2 verses

2 Timothy 2 19 Meaning

Second Timothy 2:19 affirms the unshakeable certainty and permanence of God's truth and His authentic community, in stark contrast to unstable false teachings. It declares that God's foundation stands firm, bearing a divine seal with two complementary inscriptions: first, God’s perfect knowledge and proprietorship over those who truly belong to Him, and second, an ethical imperative for all who claim the Lord's name to live righteously and separate from sin. This verse distinguishes between true believers, known by God and pursuing holiness, and false claimants or apostates.

2 Timothy 2 19 Context

Second Timothy 2 is a foundational chapter encouraging endurance, faithfulness, and steadfastness in ministry despite suffering and opposition. Leading up to verse 19, Paul warns Timothy against "profane and vain babblings" (v. 16), which "increase unto more ungodliness" and "will eat as doth a canker" (v. 17). He specifically names Hymenaeus and Philetus as examples of false teachers who have "erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (v. 18). This verse then serves as a strong rebuttal and source of reassurance in the face of such destructive heresy and apostasy. It reassures Timothy and genuine believers that despite appearances of some falling away, God's plan and community are not undermined. The "foundation of God" stands sure, secure by His knowledge and marked by His people's holy conduct, thus implicitly rejecting the claims of those whose doctrine or lives are ungodly. The subsequent verses (20-21) then extend this metaphor, comparing God's household to a great house with various vessels, distinguishing those for honor (sanctified for good works) from those for dishonor.

2 Timothy 2 19 Word analysis

• Nevertheless (Greek: menounge, μενούνγε): This emphatic particle introduces a strong contrast and affirmation. Despite the distressing defections and false teachings mentioned immediately before, Paul declares an unwavering truth. It shifts focus from the chaos of false teachers to the stability of God.
• the foundation (Greek: themělion, θεμέλιος): Refers to something firmly laid, a base. In biblical terms, it often signifies God’s truth, His purpose, His saving plan, or the Church built upon Christ. It's unmovable and eternal. It contrasts sharply with the shaking and overthrowing mentioned in verse 18.
• of God (Greek: tou Theou, τοῦ Θεοῦ): Specifies divine origin and ownership. This foundation is laid by God Himself, not human hands, ensuring its absolute security.
• standeth sure (Greek: hestēken stereos, ἕστηκεν στερεός): Hestēken is a perfect active indicative of histēmi, meaning it "has stood and continues to stand." It denotes permanence, stability, and enduring firmness. Stereos means solid, steadfast, unyielding. The combined phrase emphasizes unshakeable resilience in the face of any assault.
• having (Greek: echōn, ἔχων): A present participle, indicating an ongoing possession or characteristic. The foundation continuously possesses this seal.
• this seal (Greek: tēn sphragida tautēn, τὴν σφραγῖδα ταύτην): A seal served multiple purposes in the ancient world: authentication, security, ownership, and protection. Here, it functions as an authenticating mark. Its presence guarantees the genuine nature and divine approval of the foundation.
  • "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (Greek: Egnō Kyrios tous ontas autou, Ἔγνω Κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ): This is a direct allusion to Num 16:5 concerning Korah’s rebellion, where Moses declares that "the Lord will show who are his, and who is holy." It emphasizes God's sovereign, perfect, and intimate knowledge of those truly belonging to Him, even when human discernment might fail. This knowledge implies a pre-determined, loving election and identification by God.
  • "And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (Greek: Apostētō apo adikias pas ho onomazōn to onoma Kyriou, Ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας πᾶς ὁ ὀνομάζων τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου): This is a powerful ethical command, the second inscription on the seal. It represents the visible evidence of true faith. Apostētō is an aorist active imperative, "let him depart," demanding a decisive and definitive separation from adikia (unrighteousness, wickedness). It underscores that genuine confession of Christ (naming His name) must be accompanied by a life of holiness.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal": This whole phrase affirms the bedrock certainty of God's truth, contrasting it with human frailty and false teaching. It shifts the gaze from earthly instability to divine steadfastness, using the metaphor of a permanently laid foundation. The seal functions as an official declaration of its authenticity and God’s guarantee.
• The two inscriptions on the seal: These two clauses represent two sides of the same truth concerning true believers and the true "foundation." The first ("The Lord knoweth them that are his") highlights God's sovereignty, omniscience, and divine election—what God knows and accomplishes. The second ("Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity") highlights human responsibility, the fruit of true faith, and the ethical consequence of being "His"—what believers must do. Both aspects are essential and form a complete picture of true belonging to God.

2 Timothy 2 19 Bonus section

The reference to "seal" (Greek: sphragis) might evoke images of seals used to authenticate legal documents, secure property, or signify ownership. For believers, being "sealed" by God (as mentioned in Eph 1:13 or 2 Cor 1:22 with the Holy Spirit) confirms divine ownership and a secure, promised inheritance. This verse shows that God has "marked" His true people, and that mark is evidenced both by His foreknowledge and by their ethical conduct. The contrast between Hymenaeus and Philetus' error concerning the resurrection and the sure foundation also subtly underscores the importance of core orthodox doctrine as part of God's "foundation." The "depart from iniquity" command serves as a critical differentiator for a believer from the surrounding pagan immorality and also from the antinomian tendencies that might accompany certain false teachings. This verse forms the theological basis for spiritual discernment and maintaining church purity amidst infiltration by false doctrines and unholy practices.

2 Timothy 2 19 Commentary

In 2 Timothy 2:19, Paul counters the unsettling impact of false teaching and apostasy by asserting God's unchanging faithfulness. The "foundation of God" is typically understood as God's eternal truth, His redemptive plan, or the true Church/covenant community, established firmly by Him. It stands secure, unlike the wavering faith of those "overthrown" by false doctrine. The "seal" signifies divine ownership and authenticity, bearing two indispensable inscriptions. The first, "The Lord knoweth them that are his," reaffirms God's omniscient, pre-emptive knowledge and sovereign choice of His people. This divine election offers deep reassurance that the Lord infallibly identifies His own amidst defection. The second inscription, "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity," stresses the ethical outworking of genuine faith. It is an imperative, calling all who claim to belong to Christ to separate themselves practically from unrighteousness. This ensures that true belief is never divorced from righteous living; sound doctrine manifests in holy conduct. The verse, therefore, offers both comfort in God's faithfulness and a challenge to personal piety, discerning true from false by divine knowledge and evident sanctification.

• Examples: When confronted with individuals who profess faith but live contrary to Christ's teachings, this verse provides a framework: God still knows His own (comfort), and true believers demonstrate their faith by actively rejecting sin (challenge). Similarly, if disheartened by people abandoning the faith, one remembers that God's plan isn't thwarted; His foundation remains steadfast, secured by His divine knowledge of His genuine followers.