The Meaning of 2 Timothy 4:3 Explained

2 Timothy 4:3

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;

YLT: for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing,

Darby: For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;

ASV: For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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; 

What does 2 Timothy 4:3 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Timothy 4:1-12 - The Victor's Final Charge
To the end Paul held to the appearing of Jesus, though he might not live to see it; and it was to precede and usher in the coming of the Kingdom. The world of that time was sad and sick, and Paul's sole panacea was the preaching of the gospel. 2 Timothy 4:2, do not only take opportunities, but make them. 2 Timothy 4:3, make haste; such opportunities are closing in. Sound throughout these Pastoral Epistles means "healthy" and "health-giving." Note that striking phrase of the itching ears, which turn in every direction where they may obtain momentary relief. 2 Timothy 4:5, be on the alert! Fulfill, that is, work to the edge of your pattern.
With what pathetic words Paul refers to his approaching death! He regarded his life-blood as about to be poured out as a libation, 2 Timothy 4:6, r.v., margin. The time had come for him to go on board the good ship which was waiting in the offing to sail at sunset for its port of glory. He was a veteran who had fought valiantly and successfully-keeping the faith as in the old Roman story the heroes kept the bridge. But he was soon to be relieved. The crown at the end of the course was already in sight. He was lonely-only Luke is with me. He needed to be ministered unto-take Mark. But his courage was unabated. Demas might forsake, but Christ failed not. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Timothy 4

1  He exhorts him to preach the Word with all care and diligence;
6  certifies him of the nearness of his death;
9  wills him to come speedily unto him, and to bring Marcus with him;
14  warns him to beware of Alexander the metalworker
16  informs him what had befallen him at his first answering;
19  and soon after he concludes

Greek Commentary for 2 Timothy 4:3

A time when [καιρος οτε]
One of the ακαιρως — akairōs (out of season) times. [source]
Will not endure [ουκ ανεχονται]
Future middle (direct) of ανεχω — anechō “Will not hold themselves back from” (Colossians 3:13). Having itching ears Present middle (causative) participle of κνητω — knēthō late and rare form of the Attic κναω — knaō to scratch, to tickle, here only in N.T. “Getting the ears (the hearing, την ακοην — tēn akoēn) tickled.” The Vulgate has πρυριεντες — prurientes Cf. the Athenians (Acts 17:21). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling (κνητοντες — knēthontes) the ears of those who want to be tickled. This is the temptation of the merely “popular” preacher, to furnish the latest tickle. [source]
For [γὰρ]
Ground for the preceding exhortations in the future opposition to sound teaching. [source]
Endure [ἀνέξονται]
Only here in Pastorals. Mostly in Paul. Comp. Acts 18:14; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Hebrews 13:22. [source]
Sound doctrine [τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας]
Or healthful teaching. The A.V. overlooks the article which is important. The teaching plays a prominent part in these Epistles, and signifies more than teaching in general. See on 1 Timothy 1:10. [source]
Shall they heap to themselves teachers [ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύ σουσιν διδασκάλους]
A vigorous and graphic statement. Ἑπισωρεύειν toheap up, N.T.oComp. σεσωρευμένα laden 2 Timothy 3:6. The word is ironical; shall invite teachers en masse. In periods of unsettled faith, skepticism, and mere curious speculation in matters of religion, teachers of all kinds swarm like the flies in Egypt. The demand creates the supply. The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. “The master of superstition is the people, and in all superstition wise men follow fools” (Bacon, Ess. 17). [source]
Having itching ears [κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοήν]
Or, being tickled in their hearing. Κνήθειν totickle, N.T.oolxx. Κνηθόμενοι itchingHesychius explains, “hearing for mere gratification.” Clement of Alexandria describes certain teachers as “scratching and tickling, in no human way, the ears of those who eagerly desire to be scratched” (Strom. v.). Seneca says: “Some come to hear, not to learn, just as we go to the theater, for pleasure, to delight our ears with the speaking or the voice or the plays” (Ep. 108). Ἁκοή , A.V. ears, in N.T. a report, as Matthew 4:24; Matthew 14:1; Matthew 24:6: in the plural, ears (never ear in singular), as Mark 7:35; Luke 7:1: hearing, either the act, as Acts 28:26; Romans 10:17, or the sense, 1 Corinthians 12:17, here, and 2 Timothy 4:4. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Timothy 4:3

1 Timothy 1:10 The sound doctrine [τῇ ὑγιαινούσῃ διδασκαλίᾳ]
A phrase peculiar to the Pastorals. Ὑγιαίνειν tobe in good health, Luke 5:31; Luke 7:10; 3 John 1:2. oP. Quite frequent in lxx, and invariably in the literal sense. Often in salutations or dismissals. See 9:19; 2Samuel href="/desk/?q=2sa+14:8&sr=1">2 Samuel 14:8; Exodus 4:18. In the Pastorals, the verb, which occurs eight times, is six times associated with διδασκαλία teachingor λόγοι wordsand twice with ἐν τῇ πίστει or τῇ πίστει inthe faith. The sound teaching (comp. διδαχή teaching 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9) which is thus commended is Paul's, who teaches in Christ's name and by his authority (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:8). In all the three letters it is called ἀλη.θεια or ἡ ἀλήθεια thetruth, the knowledge ( ἐπίγνωσις ) of which is bound up with salvation. See 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Timothy 3:7; Titus 1:1. As truth it is sound or healthful. It is the object of faith. To be sound in the faith is, practically, to follow ( παρακολουθεῖν ) sound teaching or the truth. The subjective characteristic of Christians is εὐσέβεια or θεοσέβεια godlinessor piety (1 Timothy 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 4:8; 1 Timothy 6:6, 1 Timothy 6:11); and the teaching and knowledge of the truth are represented as κατ ' εὐσέβειαν accordingto godliness (1 Timothy 6:3; Titus 1:1). Comp. εὐσεβεῖν toshow piety, 1 Timothy 5:4. εὐσεβῶς ζῇν to live godly, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; and βίον διάγειν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ tolead a life in all godliness, 1 Timothy 2:2. The contents of this sound teaching which is according to godliness are not theoretical or dogmatic truth, but Christian ethics, with faith and love. See 1 Timothy 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 3:10; Titus 2:2. Ἁλήθεια truthis used of moral things, rather than in the high religious sense of Paul. Comp., for instance, Romans 3:7; Romans 9:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 11:10; Galatians 2:5; Ephesians 4:21, Ephesians 4:24; and 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Timothy 3:7(comp. 2 Timothy 3:1-9); 2 Timothy 4:3, 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:12(comp. Titus 1:11, Titus 1:15); Titus 2:4(comp. Titus 2:1, Titus 2:3); Titus 3:1. Whoever grasps the truth has faith (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:18; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:3f.). That the ethical character of faith is emphasized, appears from the numerous expressions regarding the false teachers, as 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:12; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21. There is a tendency to objectify faith, regarding it as something believed rather than as the act of believing. See 1 Timothy 1:19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:21; Titus 1:4. In comparing the ideal of righteousness (1 Timothy 1:9) with that of Paul, note that it is not denied that Christ is the source of true righteousness; but according to Paul, the man who is not under the law is the man who lives by faith in Christ. Paul emphasizes this. It is faith in Christ which sets one free from the law. Here, the man for whom the law is not made (1 Timothy 1:9) is the man who is ethically conformed to the norm of sound teaching. The two conceptions do not exclude each other: the sound teaching is according to the gospel (1 Timothy 1:11), but the point of emphasis is shifted.| [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 False swearers [επιορκοις]
Old word Perjurers. Only here in N.T. For similar lists, see note on 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9.; Galatians 5:19.; Romans 1:28.; Romans 13:13; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Timothy 3:2. The sound doctrine (αντικειται — tēi hugiainousēi didaskaliāi). Dative case after υγιαινω — antikeitai for which verb see Galatians 5:17 for the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. “The healthful (hugiainō old word for being well, as Luke 5:31; 3 John 1:2, in figurative sense in N.T. only in the Pastorals) teaching.” See Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:3. [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 The sound doctrine [αντικειται]
Dative case after υγιαινω — antikeitai for which verb see Galatians 5:17 for the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. “The healthful (hugiainō old word for being well, as Luke 5:31; 3 John 1:2, in figurative sense in N.T. only in the Pastorals) teaching.” See Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:3. [source]
1 Timothy 1:10 Men-stealers [ανδραποδισταις]
Old word from ανδραποδιζω — andrapodizō (from ανηρ — anēr man, πους — pous foot, to catch by the foot), to enslave. So enslavers, whether kidnappers (men-stealers) of free men or stealers of the slaves of other men. So slave-dealers. By the use of this word Paul deals a blow at the slave-trade (cf. Philemon). Liars (πσευσταις — pseustais). Old word, see Romans 3:4. False swearers Old word Perjurers. Only here in N.T. For similar lists, see note on 1 Corinthians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9.; Galatians 5:19.; Romans 1:28.; Romans 13:13; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5; 2 Timothy 3:2. The sound doctrine (αντικειται — tēi hugiainousēi didaskaliāi). Dative case after υγιαινω — antikeitai for which verb see Galatians 5:17 for the conflict between the Spirit and the flesh. “The healthful (hugiainō old word for being well, as Luke 5:31; 3 John 1:2, in figurative sense in N.T. only in the Pastorals) teaching.” See Titus 1:9; 2 Timothy 4:3. [source]
Hebrews 5:11 Ye are dull of hearing [νωθροὶ γεγόνατε ταῖς ἀκοαῖς]
Rend. ye have grown dull in your hearing. For ἀκοὴ hearingsee on 2 Timothy 4:3. The verb implies a deterioration on the hearers' part. Νωθροὶ only here and Hebrews 6:12. From νη notand ὠθεῖν topush. Hence slow, sluggish. Mostly in later Greek, although Plato uses it much in the same sense as here. “When they have to face study they are stupid ( νωθροί ) and cannot remember.” Theaet. 144 B. In lxx, Proverbs 22:29; Sirach 4:29; 11:12. Sometimes = low, mean, obscure. So in Proverbs, but in Sirach slack, slow. [source]
Hebrews 13:22 Suffer the word of exhortation [ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως]
For “suffer,” rend. “bear with.” See Acts 18:14; 2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 4:3. Do not become impatient at my counsels in this letter. The word of exhortation refers to the entire epistle which he regards as hortatory rather than didactic or consolatory. The phrase only in Acts 13:15. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Timothy 4:3 mean?

There will be for a time when - sound teaching not they will endure but according to the own desires to themselves they will gather around [them] teachers having an itching - ear
Ἔσται γὰρ καιρὸς ὅτε τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας οὐκ ἀνέξονται ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύσουσιν διδασκάλους κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοήν

Ἔσται  There  will  be 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
καιρὸς  a  time 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καιρός  
Sense: due measure.
τῆς  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑγιαινούσης  sound 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ὑγιαίνω  
Sense: to be sound, to be well, to be in good health.
διδασκαλίας  teaching 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: διδασκαλία  
Sense: teaching, instruction.
ἀνέξονται  they  will  endure 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀνέχομαι  
Sense: to hold up.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
ἰδίας  own 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἴδιος  
Sense: pertaining to one’s self, one’s own, belonging to one’s self.
ἐπιθυμίας  desires 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐπιθυμία  
Sense: desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
ἑαυτοῖς  to  themselves 
Parse: Reflexive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἑαυτοῦ  
Sense: himself, herself, itself, themselves.
ἐπισωρεύσουσιν  they  will  gather  around  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐπισωρεύω  
Sense: to heap up, accumulate in piles.
διδασκάλους  teachers 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: διδάσκαλος  
Sense: a teacher. 2 in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and the duties of man.
κνηθόμενοι  having  an  itching 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κνήθω  
Sense: to scratch, tickle, make to itch.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀκοήν  ear 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀκοή  
Sense: the sense of hearing.