Philetus
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Philetus was a figure mentioned in the Second Epistle to Timothy who, alongside Hymenaeus, taught that the resurrection had already occurred in a spiritual sense, thereby denying the future bodily resurrection of the dead.
What is the meaning of Philetus in the Bible?
Philetus was a figure mentioned in the Second Epistle to Timothy who, alongside Hymenaeus, taught that the resurrection had already occurred in a spiritual sense, thereby denying the future bodily resurrection of the dead.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Philetus clarifies the specific theological controversy addressed in 2 Timothy 2:17-18, illustrating the early church's struggle to define the nature of resurrection against emerging Gnostic-like views that spiritualized physical events.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Philetus in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Philetus clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.