2 Timothy 3 3

2 Timothy 3:3 kjv

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2 Timothy 3:3 nkjv

unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

2 Timothy 3:3 niv

without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,

2 Timothy 3:3 esv

heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

2 Timothy 3:3 nlt

They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

2 Timothy 3 verses

2 Timothy 3 3 Meaning

This verse describes a characteristic of people in the "last days." They are characterized by being lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, without natural affection, irreconcilable, slanderous, uncontrollable, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. It is a profound statement about the moral and spiritual decline that will be evident before Christ's return.

2 Timothy 3 3 Context

This verse is found within Paul's second letter to Timothy, his protégé. The chapter describes the "last days" and the difficult times that will accompany them due to the nature of men. Paul is warning Timothy and the church about the character of people they will encounter, likely emphasizing the pervasive influence of sin and a departure from true godliness. These descriptions are not just a prophecy of future events but also a warning about the spiritual dangers present in any generation that drifts away from God's Word and His Spirit. This passage serves as a benchmark against which believers can evaluate the spiritual health of individuals and societies.

2 Timothy 3 3 Word Analysis

• "men" (ἄνθρωποι - anthrōpoi): Primarily refers to human beings in general, encompassing both men and women. It highlights that these characteristics will be prevalent among people.
• "will be" (ἔσονται - esontai): Future tense of "to be," indicating a characteristic or state that will manifest.
• "lovers of self" (φίλαυτοι - philautoi): Compound word from "philos" (loving) and "autos" (self). This denotes an excessive, inordinate self-love or egoism, making oneself the primary object of affection and concern.
• "lovers of money" (φιλάργυροι - philargyroi): Compound word from "philos" (loving) and "argyros" (silver/money). This describes an avaricious person, characterized by an unhealthy attachment and desire for wealth.
• "boastful" (ἀλαζόνες - alazones): Describes those who are proud, self-glorifying, and tend to brag about their accomplishments, possessions, or abilities, often in an empty or deceptive way.
• "arrogant" (ὑπερήφανοι - hyperēphanoi): Derived from "hyper" (over) and "phainō" (to show). It signifies being excessively proud, haughty, and looking down on others. It implies an overestimation of one's own importance and a disregard for God and man.
• "abusive" (βλάσφημοι - blasphemōi): Means speaking evil, profanely, or injuriously, especially against God, but also includes slander and reviling against people.
• "disobedient to parents" (γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς - goneusin apeitheis): "Apeitheis" (from a privative + peitho, to persuade) indicates obstinate disobedience, refusing to be persuaded or yield to authority, specifically here, the God-ordained authority of parents.
• "ungrateful" (ἀχάριστοι - acharistoi): Derived from "charis" (grace, favor) with the alpha-privative. It describes those who show no thankfulness or gratitude for favors received, implying a lack of appreciation for blessings and kindnesses, both from God and from fellow humans.
• "unholy" (ἀνόσιοι - anosioi): From "hosios" (sacred, holy) with the alpha-privative. It denotes impiety, lacking reverence for God, disrespect for sacred things, and living without moral or spiritual sanctity.
• "without natural affection" (ἄστοργοι - astorgos): From "storge" (natural affection, love, especially family love) with the alpha-privative. It signifies being unloving, devoid of natural love and tenderness, particularly within familial bonds.
• "irreconcilable" (ἄσπονδοι - aspondos): From "spondē" (a libation, pact, treaty) with the alpha-privative. It implies an unwillingness to make peace or enter into agreements, unyielding and hostile.
• "slanderous" (διάβολοι - diaboloi): Literally "throwers-across" or "accusers." It refers to those who defame, speak evil of, and spread malicious gossip about others. It carries the sense of malicious detraction.
• "uncontrollable" (ἀκρατεῖς - akrateis): From "kratos" (strength, power, control) with the alpha-privative. It means lacking self-control or mastery over one's passions and desires.
• "brutal" (ἀήμεροi - ahēmeroi): From "hēmeros" (tame, gentle, civilized) with the alpha-privative. It denotes savage, wild, untamed, lacking gentleness and kindness.
• "haters of good" (φιλάγαθοι - philagathoi): From "philos" (loving) and "agathos" (good). It signifies being opposed to or despising what is good, moral, and virtuous.
• "treacherous" (προδόται - prodōtai): From "prodidōmi" (to give beforehand, betray). It refers to those who betray trust, act as traitors, and are deceitful.
• "reckless" (πρoπετεῖς - proplementeis): From "pro" (before) and "piptō" (to fall). It describes being rash, headlong, impulsive, rushing into danger without caution.
• "conceited" (τετυφωμένοι - tetyphōmenoi): From "typhoo" (to smoke, to puff up with pride, to blind). It means puffed up with pride, arrogant, conceited, blinded by self-importance.
• "lovers of pleasure" (φιλήδονοι - philēdonoi): From "philos" (loving) and "hēdonē" (pleasure). It describes those whose primary pursuit is sensual gratification and amusement, valuing enjoyment above all else.
• "rather than lovers of God" (μάλλον ἢ θεόφιλοι - mallon ē theophiloi): Contrasts the self-centered love of pleasure with a love for God. It signifies preferring worldly amusements and self-gratification over devotion and relationship with the Creator.

Group Analysis:The verse lists a series of destructive relational and attitudinal characteristics that are grouped thematically:

• Self-Centeredness: "lovers of self," "lovers of money," "boastful," "arrogant."
• Dishonoring Authority/Recklessness: "disobedient to parents," "treacherous," "reckless," "conceited."
• Lack of Benevolence/Cruelty: "abusive," "ungrateful," "unholy," "without natural affection," "irreconcilable," "slanderous," "brutal," "haters of good."
• Loss of Self-Control/Devotion: "uncontrollable," "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."This detailed list paints a grim picture of societal and individual moral decay.

2 Timothy 3 3 Bonus Section

The enumeration in this verse forms a pattern often seen in Pauline epistles where specific lists of sins describe a general state of depravity or the behavior to be avoided. The context in 2 Timothy suggests these traits will be hallmarks of people living in the final days before Christ's return, emphasizing a significant societal and moral decline. The accumulation of these negative descriptors underscores the gravity of the spiritual battle being waged and the critical need for vigilance and faithfulness among believers. The term "astorgos" (without natural affection) is particularly poignant, pointing to a breakdown of foundational familial bonds, a sign also alluded to by Jesus in His Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:12).

2 Timothy 3 3 Commentary

The detailed enumeration in 2 Timothy 3:3 presents a stark portrait of moral degeneration. Paul’s intention is not to categorize all individuals in the last days as definitively embodying every trait, but to highlight pervasive tendencies. These characteristics are antithetical to the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the virtues encouraged throughout Scripture. The "lovers of pleasure" versus "lovers of God" antithesis is central, revealing a society that prioritizes fleeting earthly gratification over eternal spiritual devotion. This spiritual void leads to a breakdown in personal character and interpersonal relationships. Believers are called to recognize these signs as a call to remain steadfast in their faith, practice godliness, and stand as beacons of light in such challenging times.