2 Timothy 3 · Verse 4

2 Timothy 3:4

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2 Timothy 3:4, King James Version

2 Timothy 3:4 in other translations

BSBtraitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
WEBtraitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
ASVtraitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
YLTtraitors, heady, lofty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,
DARBYtraitors, headlong, of vain pretensions, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
BBEFalse to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving pleasure more than God;
WebsterTraitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

What does 2 Timothy 3:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. heady--precipitate in action and in passion. high-minded--literally, "puffed up" with pride, as with smoke blinding them. lovers of pleasure ... God--Love of pleasure destroys the love and sense of God.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. Traitors. This word is used in the New Testament only here and in Lk 6:16, Acts 7:52. It means any one who betrays-- whether it be a friend or his country. Treason has been in all ages regarded as one of the worst crimes that man can commit.

Heady. The same word in Acts 19:36, is rendered rashly. It occurs only there and in this place in the New Testament. It properly means falling forwards; prone, inclined, ready to do anything; then precipitate, headlong, rash. It is opposed to that which is deliberate and calm; and here means, that men would be ready to do anything without deliberation, or concern for the consequences. They would engage in enterprises which would only disturb society, or prove their own ruin.

High-minded. Literally, puffed up. 1Timm 3:6, where the same word is rendered lifted up with pride. The meaning is, that they would be inflated with pride or self-conceit.

Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. That is, of sensual pleasures, or vain amusements. This has been, and is, the characteristic of a great part of the world, and has often distinguished even many who profess religion. Of a large portion of mankind it may be said that this is their characteristic, that they live for pleasure; they have no serious pursuits; they brook no restraints which interfere with their amusements, and they greatly prefer the pleasures to be found in the gay assembly, in the ball-room, or in the place of low dissipation, to the friendship of their Creator.

(a) "heady" 2Pet 2:10 (+) "high-minded" "headstrong" (b) "lovers" Php 3:19

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 Traitors - Προδοται· From προ, before, and διδωμι, to deliver up. Those who deliver up to an enemy the person who has put his life in their hands; such as the Scots of 1648, who delivered up into the hands of his enemies their unfortunate countryman and king, Charles the First; a stain which no lapse of ages can wipe out. Heady - Προπετεις· From προ, forwards, and πιπτω, to fall; headstrong, precipitate, rash, inconsiderate. High-minded - Τετυφωμενοι· From τυφος, smoke; the frivolously aspiring; those who are full of themselves, and empty of all good. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God - This is nervously and beautifully expressed in the Greek, φιληδονοι μαλλον η φιλοθεοι lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; i.e. pleasure, sensual gratification, is their god; and this they love and serve; God they do not.

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 3:4 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.

προδόται,prodotaitreacherous,G4273
προπετεῖς,propeteisreckless,G4312
τετυφωμένοι,tetuphōmenoipuffed up,G5187
φιλήδονοιphilēdonoilovers of pleasureG5369
μᾶλλονmallonratherG3123
ἢēthanG2228
φιλόθεοι,philotheoilovers of God,G5377

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

Cross references for 2 Timothy 3:4

  • Philippians 3:18-19

    (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

  • 1 Timothy 3:6

    Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

  • Jude 1:4

    For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Peter 2:10-22

    But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; …

  • Jude 1:8-9

    Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  • Romans 16:18

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Jude 1:19

    These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

  • 1 Timothy 5:6

    But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

  • Romans 11:20

    Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

  • 1 Timothy 6:17

    Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Traitors.
2Pe 2:10-22; Jude 1:8,9
high-minded.
Ro 11:20; 1Ti 6:17
lovers of God.
Ro 16:18; Php 3:18,19; 1Ti 5:6; 2Pe 2:13,15; Jude 1:4,19

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

Context

  • 2 Timothy 3:3

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

  • 2 Timothy 3:4

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

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Read all of 2 Timothy 3

2 Timothy 3:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Traidores, arrebatados, hinchados, amadores de los deleites más que de Dios;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		traîtres, téméraires, enflés d’orgueil, amis des voluptés plutôt qu’amis de Dieu,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Verräter, verwegen, aufgeblasen, mehr das Vergnügen liebend als Gott,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		proditores, protervi, tumidi, et voluptatum amatores magis quam Dei: