Lexical Summary Humenaios: Hymenaeus Original Word: Ὑμέναιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Hymenaeus. From Humen (the god of weddings); "hymeneal"; Hymeneus, an opponent of Christianity -- Hymenaeus. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Humén (Hymen, the Gr. god of weddings) Definition Hymenaeus, a heretical teacher at Ephesus NASB Translation Hymenaeus (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5211: ὑμέναιοςὑμέναιος (on its accent cf. Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 l.; Chandler § 253), ὑμεναιου, ὁ (ὑμήν, ὑμενος, ὁ, the god of marriage), Hymenaeus, a heretic, one of the opponents of the apostle Paul: 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17. (B. D., under the word.) Topical Lexicon Identity and Background Hymenaeus is a professing believer who became a notable opponent of apostolic doctrine within the Pauline circle. His Greek name (shared with a mythological wedding deity) suggests a Hellenistic background, yet he had gained sufficient standing in the church at Ephesus to be remembered by name. Scripture presents him not as an outsider but as one who abandoned sound teaching from within the community of faith. Scriptural Occurrences 1 Timothy 1:20 and 2 Timothy 2:17 are the only two places he is named. Both letters are pastoral in nature, written by Paul to Timothy in Ephesus, and both highlight Hymenaeus as a cautionary example. • 1 Timothy 1:19-20: “By rejecting these, some have shipwrecked their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” Nature of His Error Hymenaeus denied the future bodily resurrection, claiming it had “already happened.” This error likely spiritualized resurrection, reducing it to a present inner experience. Such teaching: 1. Contradicted apostolic proclamation of a future, bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Apostolic Response Paul employed the severest ecclesial discipline: “handed over to Satan” (1 Timothy 1:20). The phrase reflects removal from the protective sphere of the church’s fellowship (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5). The aim is remedial—“to be taught not to blaspheme”—coupling firm judgment with the hope of restoration. Implications for Church Discipline Hymenaeus illustrates that false doctrine, not only immoral conduct, warrants church censure. The passage sets a pattern: Historical and Patristic Witness Early Christian writers linked Hymenaeus with proto-Gnostic tendencies that denied physical realities. Though details are sparse, this association underscores how early an over-spiritualized resurrection doctrine appeared and how vigorously it was opposed. Contrast with Biblical Resurrection Teaching The New Testament ties Christ’s bodily resurrection to the believer’s future bodily resurrection (Romans 8:11; Philippians 3:20-21). By claiming the event was past, Hymenaeus effectively undermined Christ’s saving work and the believer’s hope. Paul bases perseverance and moral living on that future reality (1 Corinthians 15:32-34), making Hymenaeus’s teaching spiritually perilous. Lessons for Contemporary Ministry 1. Sound doctrine is essential; deviation is destructive. Hymenaeus thus stands as a somber warning against doctrinal innovation that compromises core gospel truths and an enduring reminder of the shepherd’s duty to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Forms and Transliterations Υμεναιος Ὑμέναιος Hymenaios Hyménaios UmenaiosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 1:20 N-NMSGRK: ὧν ἐστὶν Ὑμέναιος καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος NAS: Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, KJV: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; INT: of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander 2 Timothy 2:17 N-NMS |
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