2 Timothy 3 2

2 Timothy 3:2 kjv

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

2 Timothy 3:2 nkjv

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:2 niv

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:2 esv

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Timothy 3:2 nlt

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 2 Meaning

2 Timothy 3:2 describes the foundational moral decay that will characterize individuals in the "last days" as a progression from inward depravity to outward ungodliness. It begins by highlighting self-centeredness as the root of numerous vices, detailing how self-love evolves into covetousness, expressed in outward boasts and pride, manifests in blasphemy against divine truth, and corrodes fundamental human relationships through disobedience to parents, ultimately culminating in a complete absence of gratitude and reverence towards God. This verse reveals a widespread departure from the virtues of godliness, portraying a society increasingly defined by an inverted sense of morality.

2 Timothy 3 2 Context

Second Timothy is one of Paul's final pastoral epistles, written from Roman imprisonment, likely just before his martyrdom. It serves as a personal charge and encouragement to his young protégé, Timothy, amidst growing challenges within the early Church. Paul urges Timothy to remain faithful, to guard the truth, and to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel.Chapter 3 begins with Paul warning Timothy about the "perilous times" that will come in the "last days" (v. 1). These "last days" are not confined to a single future event but refer to the entire period between Christ's first and second comings, characterized by the increase of evil as history moves toward its culmination. Verse 2 specifically initiates a long list of character traits that will define people during these difficult times. Historically, these traits were already visible in the pagan Greco-Roman world, where self-interest, ambition, and moral laxity were common, but Paul indicates their exacerbation and infiltration into society, posing a direct threat to the integrity of the Christian community and values. The passage functions as both a prophetic warning and a guide for Timothy on what to expect and how to conduct himself.

2 Timothy 3 2 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction links verse 2 directly to the preceding warning in verse 1 about "perilous times," explaining the nature of these difficulties. It signals that the following list describes why these times will be hard.
• men (ἄνθρωποι - anthrōpoi): Refers to human beings generally, encompassing both male and female. It emphasizes that these undesirable traits will become widespread among humanity.
• shall be (ἔσονται - esontai): A future indicative verb, highlighting the prophetic and certain nature of these characteristics appearing or intensifying. It implies a prevailing condition.
• lovers of their own selves (φίλαυτοι - philautoi): This term is composed of philos (loving) and autos (self). It signifies egocentrism, selfishness, or narcissism. This vice is presented as the primary and foundational root from which many subsequent evils spring. It signifies a profound reorientation of love away from God and neighbor toward oneself.
• covetous (φιλάργυροι - philargyroi): Literally "lovers of money" (from philos + argyros). This describes an inordinate desire for wealth and material possessions. It is a direct outflow of self-love, as one desires things primarily for personal gratification or security.
• boasters (ἀλαζόνες - alazones): Those who make vainglorious claims or pretentious displays. This points to an outward manifestation of pride, characterized by excessive self-admiration and a tendency to exaggerate one's own achievements or status, often to impress or dominate others.
• proud (ὑπερήφανοι - hyperēphanoi): Literally "showing oneself above" or "super-appearing." This indicates arrogance, haughtiness, and contempt for others. It signifies an inflated sense of self-importance that disregards others, often directly against God's perspective on humility.
• blasphemers (βλάσφημοι - blasphēmoi): Individuals who speak irreverently, abusively, or slanderously against God or sacred things, and by extension, against people. It reflects an underlying contempt for divine authority and truth, often expressed in verbal disrespect or defiance.
• disobedient to parents (γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς - goneusin apeitheis): goneusin (parents) and apeitheis (disobedient, unpersuaded). This specifically highlights a breakdown in foundational familial authority and order, a violation of a core biblical commandment (Exod 20:12), signifying widespread rebellion against established authority, starting from the basic unit of society.
• unthankful (ἀχάριστοι - acharistoi): From a- (negation) + charis (grace, favor, thankfulness). This signifies ingratitude, a failure to acknowledge and appreciate kindness or blessings, whether from God or from others. It implies a self-centered view where one feels entitled, rather than grateful.
• unholy (ἀνόσιοι - anosioi): From a- (negation) + hosios (holy, pious, devout). This describes those who lack piety, reverence, or respect for sacred things or moral obligations. It signifies a profound irreverence and defilement, a disregard for divine laws or natural moral standards.

Words-group analysis

• "lovers of their own selves, covetous": This initial pairing lays the foundation for all subsequent vices. Self-love is the inward idolatry, leading directly to the outward expression of covetousness – the desire for what gratifies the self. This dual emphasis highlights self-centeredness and materialism as the driving forces of degradation.
• "boasters, proud, blasphemers": These three traits describe an aggressive, outward display of an arrogant spirit. Boasting concerns one's own claims, pride reflects an internal feeling of superiority, and blasphemy escalates this arrogance to direct contempt against divine authority or sacred values, verbalizing rebellion. They reveal a contempt for external truth and humility.
• "disobedient to parents": This singular trait highlights a crucial decay in fundamental relational and societal structures. The family unit is divinely ordained, and a breakdown in respect for parental authority signals a broader unraveling of moral order and an increased spirit of rebellion against any form of authority, human or divine.
• "unthankful, unholy": This final pairing in the verse describes a severe spiritual and moral deficit. Unthankfulness points to a deep lack of appreciation for goodness and grace, a spiritual blindness. Unholiness signifies a lack of reverence for God, spiritual values, or sacred obligations, reflecting a heart devoid of true piety and integrity.

2 Timothy 3 2 Bonus section

The list of vices in 2 Timothy 3:2 (and continuing through v. 5) is intentionally presented from internal attitudes to external actions, and from general societal decline to specific spiritual deficiencies. "Lovers of their own selves" is consistently identified by scholars as the controlling characteristic, suggesting that all the subsequent traits are merely symptoms or outgrowths of a pervasive selfishness. The repetition of philos- (lover) in "lovers of selves" and "lovers of money" highlights a thematic emphasis on misdirected affection, contrasting sharply with the love commanded in Scripture (love for God, neighbor). The inclusion of "disobedient to parents" underscores the deep foundational nature of the moral breakdown, hitting at the very core of established social order, as this was a key tenet for both Jewish and Christian morality rooted in the Decalogue. The cumulative effect of these characteristics painted by Paul indicates not merely individual sin, but a cultural drift and a spirit hostile to true godliness that will intensify towards the end.

2 Timothy 3 2 Commentary

Second Timothy 3:2 provides a stark portrait of humanity's moral decline in the last days, driven fundamentally by selfishness. Paul initiates the list with "lovers of their own selves," establishing egocentrism as the wellspring from which all subsequent evils flow. This primary vice spawns "covetousness," demonstrating how self-love quickly devolves into materialism and greed. The list progresses to outward expressions of pride – "boasters" and "proud" individuals who exalt themselves. This inflated ego then manifests as "blasphemers," revealing a disdain for God and sacred truths, even expressing open verbal hostility. The breakdown of societal order begins at the foundational level with "disobedient to parents," signifying a rejection of established authority. Finally, the list culminates with "unthankful" and "unholy," showcasing a profound spiritual alienation and moral decay—a pervasive ingratitude towards benefactors and a complete disregard for sacred obligations. The implication for believers is not just to observe this decline, but to guard against these very characteristics within themselves and to discern them in others, as these vices represent a radical departure from Christ-like humility, love, and piety. For instance, in an increasingly self-focused world, believers are called to intentionally practice genuine humility (Phil 2:3) and gratitude (1 Thess 5:18).