2Tim2:15-18 (NLT)
15 Work Hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.

I love that Paul begins this section reminding Timothy to work hard, SO he can present himself to God and receive his approval. Working hard so that he does not need to be ashamed. This brings to mind the Parable of the 3 servants. The Good workers bring to mind Jesus' description of the 2 men who invested their masters money and made more of it in contrast to the tenant who simply hid the money his master gave him. We all know the words Jesus spoke to the first 2 men "well done, good and faithful servant". Those two tenants would not have been ashamed.

So to Paul encourages Timothy to make much of what he has. In the Parable Jesus states "To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." But, not only does he have to continue to share the Gospel, he is warned to make sure he is doing so "correctly". Paul uses medical terms to describe what it looks like when false teachers, in particular Hymenaeus and Philetus, that such teaching can spread like cancer.

They Keys to this passage:
Work hard so as not to be ashamed
Correctly handle the word of God
Avoid useless talk and behavior and those who do such things.

Again, these are fantastic reminders to us as present day believers.

I need to remember to work hard, so that on the day of Judgment, I am greeted with the powerful affirming statement "well done"
I need to remember to correctly handle the word of God because I know as James makes mention, "we who teach will be judged more strictly"
I need to remember to avoid useless talk and behavior, and must make sure that then things i teach and the way I live my life is not going to destroy the "church" like cancer. That is a powerful reminder!