2 Timothy 3 · Verse 2

2 Timothy 3:2

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2 Timothy 3:2, King James Version

2 Timothy 3:2 in other translations

BSBFor men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
WEBFor men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
ASVFor men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
YLTfor men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind,
DARBYfor men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane,
BBEFor 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,
WebsterFor men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

What does 2 Timothy 3:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. men--in the professing Church. Compare the catalogue, Ro 1:29, &c., where much the same sins are attributed to heathen men; it shall be a relapse into virtual heathendom, with all its beast-like propensities, whence the symbol of it is "a beast" (Re 13:1, 11, 12, &c.; 17:3, 8, 11). covetous--Translate, "money-loving," a distinct Greek word from that for "covetous" (see on Col 3:5). The cognate Greek substantive (1Ti 6:10) is so translated, "the love of money is a (Greek, not 'the') root of all evil." boasters--empty boasters [Alford]; boasting of having what they have not. proud--overweening: literally, showing themselves above their fellows. blasphemous--rather, "evil-speakers," revilers. disobedient to parents--The character of the times is even to be gathered especially from the manners of the young [Bengel]. unthankful--The obligation to gratitude is next to that of obedience to parents. unholy--irreligious [Alford]; inobservant of the offices of piety.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 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. 2Ti 3:5. The word here used φιλαυτος--does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means a lover of one's self, selfish. Such a love of self as to lead us to secure our salvation is proper. But this interferes with the rights and happiness of no other persons. the selfishness which is condemned, is that regard to our own interests which interferes with the rights and comforts of others; which makes self the central and leading object of living; and which tramples on all that would interfere with that. As such it is a base and hateful and narrow passion; but it has been so common in the world that no one can doubt the correctness of the prophecy of the apostle that it would exist "in the last times."

Covetous. Gr., Lovers of silver; i.e., of money, see Lk 16:14. 1Timm 6:10.

Boasters. Rom 1:30.

Proud. Rom 1:30.

Blasphemers. Mt 9:3.

Disobedient to parents. Rom 1:30.

Unthankful. See Lk 6:35. The word here used occurs in the New Testament only in these two places. Ingratitude has always been regarded as one of the worst of crimes. It is said here that it would characterize that wicked age of which the apostle speaks, and its prevalence would, as it always does, indicate a decline of religion. Religion makes us grateful to every benefactor--to God, and to man.

Unholy. 1Timm 1:9.

(c) "men" Rom 1:29-31

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
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, etc.; 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 - Ὑπερηφανοι· Airy, light, trifling persons; those who love to make a show - who are all outside; from ὑπερ, above, and φαινω, to show. Blasphemers - Βλασφημοι· Those who speak impiously of God and sacred things, and injuriously of men. Disobedient to parents - Γονευσιν απειθεις· 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Even in gospel times there would be perilous times; on account of persecution from without, still more on account of corruptions within. Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man. When children are disobedient…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 3:1-9 →

2 Timothy 3:2 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἔσονταιesontaiWill beG1510
γὰρgarforG1063
οἱhoi<the>G3588
ἄνθρωποιanthrōpoimenG444
φίλαυτοι,philautoilovers of self,G5367
φιλάργυροι,philarguroilovers of money,G5366
ἀλαζόνες,alazonesboastful,G213
ὑπερήφανοι,huperēphanoiproud,G5244
βλάσφημοι,blasphēmoiabusive,G989
γονεῦσινgoneusinto parentsG1118
ἀπειθεῖς,apeitheisdisobedient,G545
ἀχάριστοι,acharistoiungrateful,G884
ἀνόσιοι,anosioiunholy,G462

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 3:2

  • Philippians 2:21

    For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

  • Romans 1:29-31

    Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

  • Jude 1:16

    These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

  • Psalms 10:3

    For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

  • 2 Timothy 3:4

    Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

  • 2 Peter 2:14-15

    Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Colossians 3:5

    Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  • James 4:6

    But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

  • 2 Peter 2:18

    For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

  • Daniel 11:36

    And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

  • 1 Timothy 6:4

    He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
lovers.
4; Ro 15:1-3; 2Co 5:15; Php 2:21; Jas 2:8
covetous.
Lu 12:15; Ro 1:29; Col 3:5; 2Pe 2:3,14,15; Jude 1:11,16; Re 18:12,13
boasters.
Ps 10:3; 49:6; 52:1; Isa 10:15; Ac 5:36; Ro 1:29-31; 11:18; 2Th 2:4
Jas 4:16; 2Pe 2:18; Jude 1:16
proud.
Pr 6:17; 1Ti 6:4; Jas 4:6; 1Pe 5:5
blasphemers.
Da 7:25; 11:36; 1Ti 1:20; 2Pe 2:12; Jude 1:10; Re 13:1,5,6; 16:9,11,21
disobedient.
Mt 15:6; Mr 7:11,12; Ro 1:30

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 3:1

    This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

  • 2 Timothy 3:2

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

  • 2 Timothy 3:3

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

Read all of 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que habrá hombres amadores de sí mismos, avaros, vanagloriosos, soberbios, detractores, desobedientes á los padres, ingratos, sin santidad,
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car les hommes seront égoïstes, avares, vantards, hautains, outrageux, désobéissants à leurs parents, ingrats, sans piété,
German
Elberfelder 1871		denn die Menschen werden eigenliebig sein, geldliebend, prahlerisch, hochmütig, Lästerer, den Eltern ungehorsam, undankbar, heillos,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		erunt homines seipsos amantes, cupidi, elati, superbi, blasphemi, parentibus non obedientes, ingrati, scelesti,