2 Timothy 4:3

2 Timothy 4:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
• English Standard Version (ESV)For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
• New Living Translation (NLT)For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

Context of 2 Timothy 4:3

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:3 word by word

ἔσται γὰρ καιρὸς ὅτε τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας οὐκ ἀνέξονται, ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύσουσιν διδασκάλους κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοήν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• the timeκαιρόςkairos · time/right timeG2540
• will comeεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• whenὅτεhote ho te hē te tō te · whenG3753
• they willἀνέχωanechomai · to endureG430
• notοὐou · noG3756
• soundὑγιαίνωhugiainō · be healthyG5198
• doctrineδιδασκαλίαdidaskalia · teachingG1319
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• their ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
• lustsἐπιθυμίαepithumia · desireG1939
• shall they heapἐπισωρεύωepisōreuō · to accumulateG2002
• to themselvesἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• teachersδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• having itchingκνήθωknēthō · to itchG2833
• earsἀκοήakoē · hearingG189

Cross-references for 2 Timothy 4:3

• 2 Timothy 3:1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
• 1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
• 1 Kings 22:8The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one prophet through whom we can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king should not say such a thing,” Jehoshaphat replied.
• 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
• 2 Chronicles 24:20Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’ ”
• 2 Chronicles 25:15The anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, “Why do you consult this people’s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?”
• Isaiah 28:12to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen.
• Isaiah 33:9The land dries up and wastes away, Lebanon is ashamed and withers; Sharon is like the Arabah, and Bashan and Carmel drop their leaves.
• Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
• Jeremiah 18:18They said, “Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”
• Amos 7:10Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent a message to Jeroboam king of Israel: “Amos is raising a conspiracy against you in the very heart of Israel. The land cannot bear all his words.
• Luke 20:19The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.
• John 8:45Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
• Galatians 4:16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
• 1 Timothy 1:10for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
• 2 Timothy 3:6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 4:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3For the time will come - There is a time coming to the Church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Gospel, when they will prefer speculative opinions, which either do no good to the soul, or corrupt and destroy it, to that wholesome doctrine of "deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me," which Jesus Christ has left in his Church. But after their own lusts - For these they will follow, and hate those preachers and that doctrine by which…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For the time will come … - Probably referring to the time mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1, following. When they will not endure sound doctrine - Greek, “healthful doctrine;” i. e., doctrine contributing to the health of the soul, or to salvation. At that time they would seek a kind of instruction more conformable to their wishes and feelings. But after their own lusts - They will seek such kind of preaching as will accord with their carnal desires; or such as…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-8Timothy's ministry truly existed in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus. Paul commanded him to work, expecting the return of Jesus to judge and establish his kingdom (see 1 Timothy 5:21; 6:13–14). Christ’s appearing will bring: spiritual cleaning (2 Timothy 2:19), accountability (3:8–9), salvation, declaration of righteousness, and reward (4:8, 18). See also 1 Corinthians 3:10–15; 4:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:10.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. they--professing Christians. sound doctrine--Greek, "the sound (see on 1Ti 1:10) doctrine (didascalias)" or "teaching," namely, of the Gospel. Presently follows the concrete, "teachers." after their own lusts--Instead of regarding the will of God they dislike being interrupted in their lusts by true teachers. heap--one on another: an indiscriminate mass of false teachers. Variety delights itching ears. "He who despises sound teaching, leaves sound…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Timothy 4:3

• Apostasy
• Doctrines
• Lust
• Minister, Christian
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Departure
• Fight
• Greet
• Itch
• Ministry
• Quick
• Revelation of Christ
• Ware
• Doctrine
• Ear

Commentaries on 2 Timothy 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings