2 Timothy 3:2

2 Timothy 3:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

King James Version KJV

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

American Standard Version ASV

For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Bible in Basic English BBE

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,

Free Bible Version FBV

People will love themselves and love money. They will be boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and without God in their lives.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For men shalbe louers of their owne selues, couetous, boasters, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to parents, vnthankefull, vnholy,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind,

World English Bible WEB

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,

Translation for Translators T4T

This is because such evil people will be habitually loving themselves and loving money. They will habitually boast about themselves, they will be proud, and will often say bad things about others. They will disobey their parents. They will not be thankful, nor will they respect anything that is good.

Plain English Version PEV

Most people will only love themselves, and they will love money. They will think that they are smart, and they will tell everyone they are smart. They will say bad things about other people. They will never do what their parents tell them to do. They will never thank anyone for anything. They will not respect things that belong to God.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Timothy 3:2

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Timothy 3:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK εσονται γαρ οι ανθρωποι φιλαυτοι φιλαργυροι αλαζονες υπερηφανοι βλασφημοι γονευσιν απειθεις αχαριστοι ανοσιοι

εσονται eimi G1510 to be Verb-FDI-3P

γαρ gar G1063 for Conj

οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM

ανθρωποι anthrōpos G444 a human Noun-NPM

φιλαυτοι philautos G5367 selfish Adj-NPM

φιλαργυροι philarguros G5366 money-loving Adj-NPM

αλαζονες alazōn G213 braggart Noun-NPM

υπερηφανοι huperēphanos G5244 arrogant Adj-NPM

βλασφημοι blasphēmos G989 blasphemous Adj-NPM

γονευσιν goneus G1118 parent Noun-DPM

απειθεις apeithēs G545 disobedient Adj-NPM

αχαριστοι acharistos G884 ungrateful Adj-NPM

ανοσιοι anosios G462 unholy Adj-NPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 2 Timothy 3:2

εσονται eimi G1510 "to be" Verb-FDI-3P

To be or exist, a basic verb used to describe something or someone, like God saying 'I am' in John 8:58.

Definition: εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. __I. As substantive verb. __1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. __2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. __3. to be present, be in a place, have come: Mat.2:13, 15, Mrk.1:45, 5:21, 15:40, Luk.1:80, 5:29, Jhn.7:30, al.; before εἰς, Mrk.2:1; before ἐκ, (ἐξ), Mat.1:20, 21:25, Mrk.11:30, Jhn.3:31, al. __4. Impers., ἔστι, ἦν, etc.; __(a) there is (Fr. il y a), was, etc.: Mat.16:28, Luk.16:19, Jhn.3:1, 5:2, Rom.3:10, al.; with dative (of the possessor; Bl., §37, 3), Mat.16:22, Luk.1:7, Jhn.18.10, Rom.9:2, al.; ἔστιν ὅς, ὅστις (chiefly in pl), Mat.16:28, 19:2, Mrk.9:1, al.; __(b) with inf., = ἔξεστιν (which see), it is possible: Heb.9:5, 1Co.11:20, RV (but see ICC, in l.). __II. As copula uniting subject and predicate. __1. Expressing simply identity or equivalence: Mat.5:13, 14:15, Luk.1:18, 19, Jhn.1:1, 4:19, Rev.3:9, al. mult. __2. Explicative, as in parable, figure, type, etc.: Mat.13:19, 1Co.9:2, 10:4, 11:25, Gal.4:24, Rev.17:15, al.; ταῦτ᾽ ἔστιν, Mat.27:46, Mrk.7:2, Rom.7:18 al.; ὅ ἐστιν, Mrk.3:17, Col.1:24, Heb.7:2, al.; akin to this is the sacramental usage: Mat.26:26-28, Mrk.14:22, 24, Luk.22:19, 1Co.11:24 (see ICC on Mk, I Co, ll. with; DB, iii, 148 f.). __3. C. genitive: qual., etc., Mrk.5:42, Luk.3:23, 1Co.14:33, Heb.12:11, al.; part., 1Ti.1:20, 2Ti.1:15; poss., Mat.5:3, 10, Mrk.12:7, Luk.4:7; of service or partisanship, Rom.8:9, 1Co.1:12, 2Co.10:7, 2Ti.2:19. __4. C. dative (BL, §37, 3): Act.1:8, 9:15, Rom.4:12, 1Co.1:18, 2:14, Rev.21:7, al. __5. C. ptcp., as a periphrasis for the simple verb (Bl., §62, 1, 2; M, Pr., 225 ff.); __(a) with ptcp. pf. (cl.): Mat.10:30, Luk.9:32, Jhn.3:24, Act.21:35, 1Co.15:19, al; __(b) with ptcp. pr. (esp. in impf., as in Heb. and Aram.; Dalman, Words, 35 f.), Mat.7:29, Mrk.1:22, Luk.4:31, 14:1, Act.1:10, al. mult., id. for imper. (M, Pr., 180f., 182f.), with ellipsis of εἰμί, Rom.12:9, 10, Heb.13:5, al.; __(with) with ptcp. aor. (cl), Luk.23:9. __6. Seq. εἰς (cf. Heb. הָיָה לְ), a vernac. usage (M, Pr., 71): Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:8, Heb.8:10, al. __7. C. adv.: Mat.19:20, Mrk.4:26, Luk.18:11, al. __8. Ellipses; __(a) of the copula (Bl., §30, 3): Mat.8:29, 24:32, Jhn.21:22, 23, Heb.6:4, al.; __(b) of the predicate: ἐγώ εἰμί, Mat.14:27, Mrk.6:50, al.; absol. (cf. Deu.32:39; אֲנִי הוּא), Mrk.13:6, Jhn.4:26, al. (cf. ἄπ-, ἔν-, πάρ-, συμ-πάρ-, σύν-ειμι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2123 NT verses. KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:2; 1 Peter 1:6.

γαρ gar G1063 "for" Conj

For is a word used to explain or give a reason, often introducing a justification or clarification, as seen in Matthew 4:18 and Romans 7:1. It's a conjunction that connects ideas and provides additional information.

Definition: γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; __1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. __2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. __3. Causal: Mat.1:21 2:2, 5, 6, 3:23, Mrk.1:22, 9:6, Luk.1:15, 18, Jhn.2:25, Act.2:25, Rom.1:9, 11, 1Co.11:5, Rev.1:3, al.; giving the reason for a command or prohibition, Mat.2:20 3:9, Rom.13:11, Col.3:3, 1Th.4:3, al.; where the cause is contained in an interrog. statement, Luk.22:27, Rom.3:3 4:3, 1Co.10:29; καὶ γάρ, for also, Mrk.10:45, Luk.6:32, 1Co.5:7, al. id. as in cl. = etenim, where the καί loses its connective force (Bl., §78, 6; Kühner 3, ii, 854f.), Mrk.14:70, Luk.1:66 22:37, 2Co.13:4. The proper place of γάρ is after the first word in a clause, but in poets it often comes third or fourth, and so in late prose: 2Co.1:19. Yet "not the number but the nature of the word after which it stands is the point to be noticed" (see Thayer, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1011 NT verses. KJV: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 John 2:19; 1 Peter 2:19.

οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ανθρωποι anthrōpos G444 "a human" Noun-NPM

This word means a human being, and is used in the Bible to describe people, like in John 16:21 and Romans 7:1.

Definition: ἄνθρωπος, -ου, ὁ, [in LXX chiefly for אִישׁ ,אָדָם, also for אֱנוֹשׁ, etc. ;] man: __1. generically, a human being, male or female (Lat. homo): Jhn.16:21; with art., Mat.4:4 12:35, Mrk.2:27, Jhn.2:25, Rom.7:1, al; disting. from God, Mat.19:6, Jhn.10:33, Col.3:23, al.; from animals, etc., Mat.4:19, Luk.5:10, Rev.9:4, al.; implying human frailty and imperfection, 1Co.3:4; σοφία ἀνθρώπων, 1Co.2:5; ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαι, 1Pe.4:2; κατὰ ἄνθρωπον περιπατεῖν, 1Co.3:3; κατὰ ἄ. λέγειν (λαλεῖν), Rom.3:5, 1Co.9:8; κατὰ ἄ- λέγειν, Gal.3:15 (cf. 1Co.15:32, Gal.1:11); by meton., of man's nature or condition, ὁ ἔσω (ἔξω) ἄ., Rom.7:22, Eph.3:16, 2Co.4:16 (cf. 1Pe.3:4); ὁ παλαιὸς, καινὸς, νέος ἄ., Rom.6:6, Eph.2:15 4:22, 24 Col.3:9, 10; joined with another subst., ἄ. ἔμπορος, a merchant, Mat.13:45 (WH, txt. om. ἄ.); οἰκοδεσπότης, Mat.13:52; βασιλεύς, 18:23; φάγος, 11:19; with name of nation, Κυρηναῖος, Mat.27:32; Ἰουδαῖος, Act.21:39; Ῥωμαῖος, Act.16:37; pl. οἱ ἄ., men, people: Mat.5:13, 16 Mrk.8:24, Jhn.4:28; οὐδεὶς ἀνθρώπων, Mrk.11:2, 1Ti.6:16. __2. Indef., ἄ. = τις, some one, a man: Mat.17:14, Mrk.12:1, al.; τις ἄ., Mat.18:12, Jhn.5:5, al.; indef. one (Fr. on), Rom.3:28, Gal.2:16, al.; opposite to women, servants, etc., Mat.10:36 19:10, Jhn.7:22, 23. __3. Definitely, with art., of some particular person; Mat.12:13, Mrk.3:5, al.; οὗτος ὁ ἄ., Luk.14:30; ὁ ἄ οὗτος, ἐκεῖνος, Mrk.14:71, Mat.12:45; ὁ ἄ. τ. ἀνομίας, 2Th.2:3; ἄ τ. θεοῦ (of Heb. אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים), 1Ti.6:11, 2Ti.3:17, 2Pe.1:21; ὁ υἰὸς τοῦ ἀ., see: υἱός. SYN.: ἀνήρ, which see (and cf. MM, VGT, 44; Cremer, 103, 635). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 503 NT verses. KJV: certain, man See also: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Acts 22:25; 1 Peter 1:24.

φιλαυτοι philautos G5367 "selfish" Adj-NPM

This term describes someone who is selfish and self-centered, as seen in 2 Timothy 3:2. It portrays a person who loves themselves and their own interests above others. The Bible warns against this kind of attitude.

Definition: φίλ-αυτος, -ον loving oneself (Arist.); in bad sense (ib.), selfish: 2Ti.3:2.† SYN.: αὐθάδης (see Tr., Syn., § xciii) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: lover of own self See also: 2 Timothy 3:2.

φιλαργυροι philarguros G5366 "money-loving" Adj-NPM

This word describes someone who loves money and material possessions, as seen in Luke 16:14. It portrays a person who is avaricious and covetous. The Bible teaches against this kind of mindset.

Definition: φιλ-άργυρος, -ον [in LXX: 4Ma.2:8 * ;] loving money, avaricious: Luk.16:14, 2Ti.3:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: covetous See also: 2 Timothy 3:2; Luke 16:14.

αλαζονες alazōn G213 "braggart" Noun-NPM

Braggart describes a person who boasts or exaggerates, like the impostors in Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2. It refers to someone who is arrogant or proud, often in a way that is insincere or misleading.

Definition: ἀλαζών, -όνος, ὁ, ἡ (ἄλη, wandering) [in LXX: Job.28:8 (שַׁחַץ) Hab.2:5 (יָהִיר), Pro.21:24 (לוּץ)* ;] prop, a vagabond, hence, an impostor, a boaster: Rom.1:30, 2Ti.3:2.† SYN.: ὐβριστής, ὑπερήφανος (see Tr., Syn., § xxix; Lft., Notes, 256) (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: boaster See also: 2 Timothy 3:2; Romans 1:30.

υπερηφανοι huperēphanos G5244 "arrogant" Adj-NPM

An arrogant person appears superior to others, as described in Romans 1:30 and 2 Timothy 3:2. This haughty attitude is the opposite of humility, and is criticized in Scripture.

Definition: ὑπερήφανος, -ον (ὑπέρ, φαίνομαι, with η pleonast., see Kühner3, I, 189) [in LXX for זֵד, גֵּאֶה, לוּץ, etc. ;] showing oneself above others; __(a) in good sense (Plat., al.), pre-eminent, splendid; __(b) more frequently in had sense, and so always in Scr., arrogant, haughty, disdainful (see Westc. Epp. Jo., 65b): Rom.1:30, 2Ti.3:2; διανοίᾳ καρδίας, Luk.1:51; opposite to ταπεινός (as in Pro.3:34), Jas.4:6, 1Pe.5:5" (LXX) .† SYN.: ἀλαζών, ὑβριστής, see Tr., Syn., § xxix (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: proud See also: 1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6; Romans 1:30.

βλασφημοι blasphēmos G989 "blasphemous" Adj-NPM

Blasphemous means speaking evil or slander against people or God, as seen in Acts 6:11 and 1 Timothy 1:13. It describes someone who uses hurtful or abusive language, often with the intention of insulting or demeaning others.

Definition: βλάσφημος, -ον (βλασ-, of uncertain deriv., see Thayer, Boisacq; + φήμη, speech), [in LXX: Isa.66:3 (מְבָרֵךְ אָוֶן), Wis.1:6, Sir.3:16, 2Ma.9:28 10:4, 36 * ;] __(a) evil-speaking, slanderous, blasphemous: Act.6:11, 2Ti.3:2, 2Pe.2:11 (cf. Ju 9); __(b) as subst. a blasphemer: 1Ti.1:13 (Cremer, 570).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: blasphemer(-mous), railing See also: 1 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:2; Acts 6:13.

γονευσιν goneus G1118 "parent" Noun-DPM

A parent is a father or mother, as seen in Luke 2:41 and Romans 1:30. The term is often used to refer to one's mother or father, emphasizing family relationships.

Definition: γονεύς, -έως, ὁ (γίγνομαι), [in LXX for אָב, אֵם ;] a begetter, a father; mostly in pl., οἱ γ., parents: Luk.2:41, 43 8:56 21:16, Jhn.9:2, 3 20, 22, 23 Rom.1:30, 2Co.12:14, Eph.6:1, Col.3:20, 2Ti.3:2; accusative pl. (Hellenistic, see Thackeray, Gr., i, 148), γονεῖς, Mat.10:21, Mrk.13:22, Luk.2:27 18:29, Jhn.9:18.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 18 NT verses. KJV: parent See also: 2 Corinthians 12:14; John 9:23; Romans 1:30.

απειθεις apeithēs G545 "disobedient" Adj-NPM

This word means disobedient or unpersuadable, describing someone who refuses to listen or obey. It appears in Luke 1:17 and Titus 1:16, highlighting the importance of obedience and listening to others. It can also describe a rebellious or stubborn attitude.

Definition: ἀπειθής, -ές (πείθομαι), [in LXX for מַרְאָה, מְרִיא, סָרַר ;] disobedient: absol., Luk.1:17, Tit.1:16 3:3; with dative, Act.26:19, Rom.1:30, 2Ti.3:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: disobedient See also: 2 Timothy 3:2; Romans 1:30; Titus 3:3.

αχαριστοι acharistos G884 "ungrateful" Adj-NPM

The Greek word for ungrateful, this term is used in Luke 6:35 and 2 Timothy 3:2 to describe someone who shows no thanks. It emphasizes a lack of appreciation or gratitude. This concept is important in Christian teachings.

Definition: ἀχάριστος, -ον (χαρίζομαι), [in LXX: Wis.16:29, Sir.29:17, 25, 4Ma.9:10 * ;] __(a) ungracious, unpleasing; __(b) ungrateful, thankless: Luk.6:35, 2Ti.3:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: unthankful See also: 2 Timothy 3:2; Luke 6:35.

ανοσιοι anosios G462 "unholy" Adj-NPM

This word means wicked or unholy. It is used in 1 Timothy 1:9 and 2 Timothy 3:2 to describe people who are not following God's laws. The KJV translation is 'unholy'.

Definition: ἀν-όσιος, -ον (ἀ- neg., ὅσιος), [in LXX: Eze.22:9 (זִמָּה, Wis.12:4, 2Ma.7:34 2Mac 8:32, 3Ma.2:2 3Mac 5:7, 4Ma.12:11 * ;] unholy, profane (Cremer, 464): 1Ti.1:9, 2Ti.3:2 (MM, VGT, see word).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: unholy See also: 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 3:2.

Study Notes — 2 Timothy 3:2

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Context
Cross References
2 Timothy 3:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 2 Timothy 3:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Timothy 3:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2
Cambridge Bible on 2 Timothy 3:2
Barnes' Notes on 2 Timothy 3:2
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2
Sermons on 2 Timothy 3:2

Context — Evil in the Last Days

1But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.

2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Philippians 2:21	For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
2	Romans 1:29–31	They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless.
3	Jude 1:16	These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage.
4	Psalms 10:3	For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
5	2 Timothy 3:4	traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
6	2 Peter 2:14–15	Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed. They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
7	1 Timothy 6:10	For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
8	Colossians 3:5	Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
9	2 Peter 2:18	With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
10	James 4:6	But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

2 Timothy 3:2 Summary

This verse is describing what people will be like in the last days, and it's not a pretty picture. They will be focused on themselves and their own desires, rather than loving and serving God and others. As seen in Matthew 22:37-40, we are called to love God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves, and this verse is a reminder that we need to be careful not to let our own selfish desires control us, but instead to prioritize loving and serving God and others, as instructed in Galatians 5:13-14 where we are called to serve one another in love.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a lover of oneself?

According to 2 Timothy 3:2, being a lover of oneself refers to an excessive focus on one's own interests and desires, rather than prioritizing God and others, as seen in Philippians 2:3-4 where we are called to humble ourselves and consider others more important than ourselves.

Is it wrong to have money or enjoy material things?

While having money or enjoying material things is not inherently wrong, 2 Timothy 3:2 warns against being a lover of money, emphasizing that our hearts should not be controlled by a desire for wealth, as also cautioned in 1 Timothy 6:10 where the love of money is said to be a root of all kinds of evil.

How can we recognize if we are being abusive or arrogant?

We can recognize if we are being abusive or arrogant by examining our behavior and attitudes towards others, as instructed in Ephesians 4:32 to be kind and compassionate towards one another, and in 1 Peter 5:5-6 where we are called to humble ourselves and trust in God's sovereignty.

What does it mean to be disobedient to parents in this context?

In 2 Timothy 3:2, being disobedient to parents refers to a lack of respect and obedience towards authority figures, which can be a sign of a larger issue of rebellion against God, as seen in Exodus 20:12 where honoring one's parents is commanded as a way of showing respect for God's authority.

Reflection Questions

In what ways can I prioritize loving God and others above my own interests and desires?
How can I balance enjoying the blessings God has given me with not becoming a lover of money or material things?
What are some practical ways I can show humility and kindness towards those in authority over me, such as parents or leaders?
What are some signs in my own life that I may be becoming arrogant or abusive, and how can I repent and seek God's help to change?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves,.... Not in a good sense, as men may be, and as such are who love their neighbours as themselves, and do that to others they would have done to themselves;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Men - generally [ hoi (G3588) anthroopoi (G444)]; the majority in the professing church.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves; that is, the generality of men shall be persons that will neither love God nor men, in comparison with themselves; charity, which seeketh not her own, shall wax cold, men shall be wholly for themselves. Covetous; lovers of silver immoderately, so as they will get it any way, and when they have it will be as sordidly tenacious of it. Boasters; vaunting of themselves, vain-glorious, boasting of what they have not. Proud; lifted up in an opinion of themselves. Blasphemers; speaking evil of God and men. Disobedient to parents; stubborn and rebellious against those that bare them. Unthankful, both to God and men, for kindnesses received from either. Unholy; profane and impure.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Ver. 2. Lovers of their own selves] This sinful self-love is the root of all the rest that follow in this black beadroll. Boasters] Or, arrogant, as that Pyrgopolynices, Isaiah 10:8-11, Thrasonical Lamech, Genesis 4:23, where he brags and goes on to out dare God himself. Spaniards are said to be impudent braggers, and extremely proud in the lowest ebb of fortune. Resembling Thraso or his behaviour; given to or marked by boasting; bragging, boastful, vainglorious. ŒD

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2

(2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves.—Hofmann and others have attempted to portion out these vices into groups. But any such effort seems artificial. A certain connection seems to exist in some part; but when pressed to preserve the groups, a strained meaning has to be given to some of the terms. It seems, therefore, best simply to understand the catalogue as representing the various more prominent vices which appeared on the surface of Christian society, and threatened the very existence of the Church, even in those early times when Timothy ruled over the congregations of Christians at Ephesus. Hofmann, however, divides the catalogue contained in 2 Timothy 3:2-4 into three groups, consisting of five, six, and seven terms, respectively. Lovers of their own selves.—Selfishness well heads the dreary list. It is the true root of all sin. Covetous.—More accurately rendered, lovers of money. This “love of money” has been happily termed “the daughter of selfishness.” Boasters.—Those who arrogate to themselves honour which does not fairly belong to them. Proud.—These are they who contemptuously look down on others beneath them, either in social position or wealth, or perhaps in natural gifts. The Latin, ostentatio, represents the vice which affects the first of these classes—“the boasters;” and superbia, that which affects the second class—“the proud.” Blasphemers.—The two vices just mentioned refer to man’s conduct to his brother man; this alludes to his behaviour towards his God. The pride with which he looks down on his fellows develops itself into insolence in thought, if not in word, towards his God: and this is termed blasphemy. Disobedient to parents.—The blasphemer of the Father which is in heaven is only too likely to train up little ones who, in their turn, will display a disobedience and disrespect of their earthly parents. The home life of the man who chooses not to know God in his heart will too easily reflect his evil thoughts and senseless pride. Unthankful.—Or, ungrateful. The children who begin life with disobedience to their parents, with rare exceptions, are ungrateful to all others who may show them kindness in their life journey. Unholy.—Unholy through their want of inward purity. (See 1 Timothy 1:9.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2

Verse 2. For men shall be] The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; Schoettgen to the Jews; and others to heretics in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, c. but it is probable that the apostle had some particular age in view, in which there should appear some very essential corruption of Christianity. Lovers of their own selves] φιλαυτοι. Selfish, studious of their own interest, and regardless of the welfare of all mankind. Covetous] φιλαργυροι. Lovers of money, because of the influence which riches can procure. Boasters] αλαζονες. Vain glorious: self-assuming; valuing themselves beyond all others. Proud] υπερηφανοι. Airy, light, trifling persons; those who love to make a show-who are all outside; from υπερ, above, and φαινω, to show. Blasphemers] βλασφημοι. Those who speak impiously of God and sacred things, and injuriously of men. Disobedient to parents] γονευσιναπειθεις. Headstrong children, whom their parents cannot persuade. Unthankful] αχαριστοι. Persons without grace, or gracefulness; who think they have a right to the services of all men, yet feel no obligation, and consequently no gratitude. Unholy] ανοσιοι. Without piety; having no heart reverence for God.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Timothy 3:2

2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves] ‘The article is generic; the men who shall live in those times,’ Alford. Self-lovers, money-lovers; the first pair of adjectives in the description go naturally together; the first of the words occurs only here in N.T., the second only in Luke 16:14, ‘the Pharisees also who were lovers of money.’ The first and an almost exact synonym of the second occur together in Ar. Pol. ii. v. where Plato’s question is being discussed whether there ought to be private property or not. ‘It is clear then that the better plan is for the property to be held separately while the produce is common. Besides even for the pleasure of the thing it makes an unspeakable difference to regard a piece of property as one’s own. Indeed it is probably no mere chance that makes each of us hold himself first in his regard. It is human nature. But being a self-lover is rightly blamed. By this is not meant loving oneself, but doing so too much; just as we speak of the man who is a money-lover, since all love what belongs to them. But to support and succour friends or guests or comrades is a very delightful thing and this requires our having property of our own. The “community” idea robs us of the virtue of generosity in the use of property.’ See note on 1 Timothy 6:10.boasters, proud, blasphemers] R.V. better, boastful, haughty, railers. Theophrastus (Characters c. 23) describes (‘boastfulness’ to be ‘an endeavour to pass for a man of greater consequence than one really is.’ In the next chapter he describes ‘haughtiness’ to be ‘a contempt for every one but a man’s self.’ The climax is (1) a spirit of vain glory in themselves, (2) an overweening treatment of others, (3) actual abuse and reviling of others. The first word describes a man who sins against truth, the second a man who sins against love, the third a man who sins against both. Cf. Romans 1:30; 1 John 2:16 (and Westcott’s note); Trench, Syn. § 29. For this general meaning of ‘railers’ rather than ‘blasphemers,’ cf. 1 Timothy 6:4 ‘envy, strife, railings.’disobedient to parents] Or, in one word, unfilial; this with ‘unthankful, unholy,’ makes another triad: breakers of the fifth commandment go on to be breakers of the tenth; and thus throwing aside the second table go on to throw aside also the first, ‘unfilial, unthankful, unholy.’ The word for ‘unthankful’ occurs elsewhere only Luke 6:35 in the Sermon on the Mount. For ‘unholy’ see notes on 1 Timothy 1:9.

Barnes' Notes on 2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves - It shall be one of the characteristics of those times that men shall be eminently selfish - evidently under the garb of religion; 2 Timothy 3:5.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:2

2. Men—The men with the article; the people, that is, of the Church and professedly religious community, (and much worse as in Romans 1:25-32.) This catalogue of qualities belonged, of course, to the

Sermons on 2 Timothy 3:2

	Sermon	Description
	Timothy, Ii #2 Ch. 3-4 by Chuck Missler	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of recognizing the signs of a society that is drifting away from godliness. He emphasizes the need to turn away from those who
	Beware of Dogs by Bill McLeod	In this sermon, the speaker shares personal anecdotes to emphasize the importance of not remaining silent about one's faith. He recounts a plane journey where he noticed people wea
	Guidelines to Freedom Part 5 - Family Life - God's Way by Alistair Begg	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the concept of respect and honor. He shares personal experiences of being taught to stand up as a mark of respect for teachers, visitors, an
	Honor Your Father and Mother by Roy Daniel	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of honoring and obeying parents. He shares anecdotes of children being disobedient and disrespectful towards their parents. H
	Can You Pass the Test of Faith With Your Money by Tim Conway	This sermon emphasizes the battle to keep our lives free from the love of money and the importance of being content with what we have. It challenges believers to trust in God's pro
	On Eagles' Wings Pt 184 by Don Courville	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the danger of being influenced by man rather than God. He highlights the vanity and emptiness of worldly pursuits and the need to be free to
	The Place of Thanksgiving by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being thankful and warns against the consequences of being unthankful. He references 2 Timothy 3:2, where Paul warns that