King James Version

What Does 2 Timothy 2:19 Mean?

2 Timothy 2:19 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every o...” — study this verse from 2 Timothy chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. sure: or, steady”

2 Timothy 2:19 · KJV

Context

17

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; canker: or, gangrene

18

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

19

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. sure: or, steady

20

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

Read 2 Timothy 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Despite Hymenaeus and Philetus's destructive error, Paul affirms: "the foundation of God standeth sure" (ho mentoi stereos themelios tou theou hestēken, ὁ μέντοι στερεὸς θεμέλιος τοῦ θεοῦ ἕστηκεν). Themelios (θεμέλιος) means foundation—the solid base on which a building rests. God's elect people are His firm foundation that cannot be shaken by heresy. Perfect tense hestēken (ἕστηκεν) indicates standing firm with continuing results.

This foundation has "this seal" (echōn tēn sphragida tautēn, ἔχων τὴν σφραγῖδα ταύτην). Sphragis (σφραγίς) means seal—mark of ownership, authenticity, security. Ancient seals protected documents and goods from tampering, identified owners, authenticated contents. Two inscriptions identify God's people. First: "The Lord knoweth them that are his" (egnō kyrios tous ontas autou, ἔγνω κύριος τοὺς ὄντας αὐτοῦ)—alludes to Numbers 16:5. God knows His elect intimately; they cannot be lost despite false teaching.

Second: "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (apostētō apo adikias pas ho onomazōn to onoma kyriou, ἀποστήτω ἀπὸ ἀδικίας πᾶς ὁ ὀνομάζων τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου). Claiming Christ's name requires moral separation from sin. These two seals balance divine sovereignty (God knows His own) with human responsibility (depart from evil). True believers persevere in holiness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Seals were ubiquitous in ancient world—signet rings, wax seals, clay bullae marked ownership and authenticity. Royal seals authenticated documents; temple seals verified sacrifices; personal seals secured letters. Breaking another's seal was serious offense. Paul's metaphor assures believers: God has sealed His people; they cannot be stolen or lost. The first seal inscription echoes Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), when God demonstrated He knew His chosen servants by destroying rebels. The second seal emphasizes that profession must accompany godly living—genuine faith produces obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing that God knows His own—that you cannot be lost if truly His—provide assurance when facing doubt or difficulty?
  2. In what specific areas of life do you need to 'depart from iniquity' to authenticate your profession of Christ's name?
  3. How can you balance confidence in God's sovereign preservation of His elect with urgent pursuit of personal holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὁ1 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέντοι2 of 26
G3305

indeed though, i.e., however

στερεὸς3 of 26

“sure”

G4731

stiff, i.e., solid, stable (literally or figuratively)

θεμέλιος4 of 26

“the foundation”

G2310

something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ5 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ6 of 26

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἕστηκεν7 of 26

“standeth”

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἔχων8 of 26

“having”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὴν9 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σφραγῖδα10 of 26

“seal”

G4973

a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or

ταύτην·11 of 26
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

Ἔγνω12 of 26

“knoweth”

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

κύριος13 of 26

“The Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοὺς14 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄντας15 of 26

“them that are”

G5607

being

αὐτοῦ16 of 26
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καί17 of 26

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Ἀποστήτω18 of 26

“Let”

G868

to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc

ἀπὸ19 of 26

“from”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

ἀδικίας20 of 26

“iniquity”

G93

(legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness (of character, life or act)

πᾶς21 of 26

“every one”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὁ22 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνομάζων23 of 26

“that nameth”

G3687

to name, i.e., assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess

τὸ24 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄνομα25 of 26

“the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

Χριστοῦ.26 of 26

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Timothy 2:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Timothy 2:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 10:141 Corinthians 8:3Nahum 1:71 John 3:7-10Numbers 16:5John 10:27-30

Test Your Knowledge

2 Timothy 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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