2 Timothy 3:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} men {G444} shall be {G2071} lovers of their own selves {G5367}, covetous {G5366}, boasters {G213}, proud {G5244}, blasphemers {G989}, disobedient {G545} to parents {G1118}, unthankful {G884}, unholy {G462},

Complete Jewish Bible

People will be self-loving, money-loving, proud, arrogant, insulting, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Berean Standard Bible

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

American Standard Version

For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in his final instructions to Timothy, warns of the moral and spiritual decay that will characterize the "perilous times" of the last days. This verse enumerates a disturbing catalog of negative character traits, beginning with an all-consuming self-love and extending to a range of vices including greed, arrogance, blasphemy, disobedience to parents, ingratitude, and a complete disregard for what is holy, painting a vivid picture of humanity's departure from godly living.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") immediately follows Paul's solemn declaration in [2 Timothy 3:1](/2_timothy/3-1 "2 Timothy 3:1 - Perilous Times") that "in the last days perilous times shall come." This verse initiates a detailed list of the specific moral failings that will define people during this difficult period, extending through [2 Timothy 3:5](/2_timothy/3-5 "2 Timothy 3:5 - Having a Form of Godliness"). Paul is equipping his young protégé, Timothy, with discernment to recognize and navigate the challenging spiritual and social landscape he will face in ministry, contrasting these negative traits with the virtues Timothy is called to embody and teach. The enumeration serves as a diagnostic tool, preparing Timothy for the opposition and moral decline he will encounter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul is writing from Roman imprisonment, likely his final one, to Timothy, who is ministering in Ephesus, a bustling and diverse city. The Greco-Roman world of the first century, while possessing elements of moral philosophy, also exhibited significant moral corruption, particularly in urban centers. Paul's description is not entirely alien to the vices of his contemporary society, but he emphasizes their intensification and prevalence in the "last days"—a theological concept referring to the period between Christ's first and second comings. This period is understood as a time of escalating spiritual warfare and moral degradation, making the traits listed in this verse not just cultural observations but prophetic warnings about a deepening human depravity.
* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several key themes within [2 Timothy](/2_timothy "The Book of 2 Timothy") and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Apostasy and Moral Decline**, illustrating how humanity's rejection of God leads to a spiraling descent into various forms of wickedness. The foundational vice, "lovers of their own selves," highlights **Self-Centeredness as a Root Sin**, from which many other listed behaviors spring, contrasting sharply with the selfless love commanded by Christ (cf. [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility and Consideration for Others")). The list also underscores the **Breakdown of Social and Divine Order**, particularly seen in "disobedient to parents" and "blasphemers," indicating a widespread disrespect for both human authority and God. Ultimately, the passage serves as a **Warning and Call to Discernment**, urging believers to recognize these signs of the times and to live counter-culturally, upholding sound doctrine and godly character amidst pervasive corruption, as further elaborated in [2 Timothy 3:10-17](/2_timothy/3-10-17 "2 Timothy 3:10-17 - Paul's Example and Scripture's Authority")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lovers of their own selves (Greek, _phílautos'_):** from φίλος and αὐτός; fond of self, i.e. selfish:--lover of own self. This compound word signifies an excessive, unhealthy self-love that prioritizes one's own desires, comfort, and interests above all else, including God and others. It stands in stark contrast to the selfless, outward-focused love that is the hallmark of Christian character, serving as the foundational vice from which many of the subsequent evils spring.
* **covetous (Greek, _philárgyros'_):** from φίλος and ἄργυρος; fond of silver (money), i.e. avaricious:--covetous. Literally meaning "money-loving," this term describes an insatiable desire for wealth and material possessions. This avarice often leads to greed, exploitation, and a misplaced trust in riches rather than in God, identifying a heart that finds its ultimate satisfaction in worldly gain.
* **unholy (Greek, _anósios'_):** from Α (as a negative particle) and ὅσιος; wicked:--unholy. This word denotes a profound lack of reverence or piety, describing someone who disregards sacred obligations and is profane. It indicates a state of moral impurity and a complete absence of respect for what is consecrated, divine, or morally pure, signifying a deep spiritual corruption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For men shall be lovers of their own selves":** This foundational vice describes an intense, narcissistic self-preoccupation, where personal desires, comfort, and gain become the ultimate priority, eclipsing love for God and neighbor. It is the root from which many subsequent evils grow.
* **"covetous":** Following self-love, this refers to an insatiable desire for material possessions and wealth, often leading to greed and a willingness to acquire at others' expense, reflecting a heart not content in God but consumed by worldly gain.
* **"boasters":** Individuals who are arrogant and prone to self-aggrandizement, exaggerating their achievements or importance, often out of insecurity or a desire for admiration rather than genuine humility.
* **"proud":** This denotes a haughty spirit, an inflated sense of superiority that looks down on others and resists submission to God or authority, often stemming from an overestimation of one's own worth and a lack of proper reverence.
* **"blasphemers":** Those who speak evil against God, sacred things, or even against fellow human beings, demonstrating a profound disrespect for divine and human dignity, often born out of rebellion or contempt.
* **"disobedient to parents":** A clear sign of societal breakdown, indicating a rejection of foundational authority structures within the family, reflecting a broader rebellion against established order, wisdom, and the Fifth Commandment.
* **"unthankful":** Lacking gratitude towards God for His blessings and towards others for their kindness, fostering an entitled spirit and an inability to acknowledge beneficence, leading to a self-centered outlook.
* **"unholy":** Describing a state of moral impurity and a disregard for what is sacred or consecrated to God, indicating a profanity that permeates their actions and attitudes, showing no reverence for divine standards or spiritual obligations.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") to emphasize the pervasive nature of moral decay. The most prominent is **Asyndeton**, the deliberate omission of conjunctions (like "and") between items in a list. This creates a rapid, breathless succession of vices, conveying a sense of overwhelming and relentless depravity. The effect is cumulative, making the list feel exhaustive and inescapable. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Catalog** or **Enumeration**, providing a comprehensive list of distinct but interconnected character flaws. This detailed inventory serves as a diagnostic tool, painting a vivid and disturbing portrait of the moral landscape. There's also an implicit sense of **Climax** or **Degradation** as the list moves from internal dispositions (self-love, covetousness) to outward expressions (boasting, pride, blasphemy) and then to the breakdown of fundamental relationships and spiritual reverence (disobedience to parents, unthankfulness, unholiness), illustrating a spiraling descent into comprehensive wickedness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse paints a stark picture of humanity's fallen nature, emphasizing that sin is fundamentally self-centered, leading to a host of destructive behaviors that corrupt individuals and society. The progression from "lovers of their own selves" to subsequent vices highlights how an inward, narcissistic focus inevitably leads to a disregard for God, others, and established moral order. This moral decline is not merely a social phenomenon but a profound theological reality, a direct consequence of rejecting God as the ultimate center of life and replacing Him with self. It underscores the pervasive nature of sin and its devastating impact on individual character and societal structures, thereby underscoring the absolute necessity of divine grace for true transformation and the urgency of the Gospel message.

* [Romans 1:29-31](/romans/1-29-31 "Romans 1:29-31 - A List of Vices")
* [Philippians 2:3-4](/philippians/2-3-4 "Philippians 2:3-4 - Humility and Consideration for Others")
* [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness as Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's enumeration of vices in [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") serves not only as a prophetic warning about the "last days" but also as a timeless mirror for self-examination and a compelling call to counter-cultural living. In a world increasingly marked by self-obsession, materialism, arrogance, and a pervasive disrespect for authority and the sacred, believers are challenged to intentionally embody the antithetical virtues. This passage urges us to cultivate a heart that is God-centered rather than self-centered, actively pursuing humility, generosity, gratitude, and reverence for God and others. It calls us to repentance where these vices may subtly manifest in our own lives and empowers us to reflect Christ's character, standing as beacons of light and truth in a darkening world, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel through our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle ways might "self-love" (phílautos) manifest in my own life, and how can I intentionally cultivate a more God-centered and others-centered perspective?**
* **How can I actively practice gratitude and reverence in a culture that often promotes entitlement, disrespect, and a disregard for the sacred?**
* **What specific actions can I take this week to live counter-culturally, demonstrating the virtues opposite to those listed in this verse, and thereby reflecting Christ more clearly?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "perilous times" in [2 Timothy 3:1](/2_timothy/3-1 "2 Timothy 3:1 - Perilous Times"), and how does [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") relate to it?**

Answer: The "perilous times" (Greek: _kairoi chalepoi_, meaning "difficult" or "hard times") refer to the period leading up to Christ's second coming, often designated as the "last days" in biblical prophecy. Paul indicates that these times will be characterized not only by external challenges but, more significantly, by profound internal moral and spiritual decay within humanity, making them intensely challenging for believers. [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") immediately follows this warning, providing a detailed and sobering list of the specific character traits that will define people during this era. This list serves as a diagnostic tool, illustrating the pervasive moral rot—rooted in self-love and leading to various forms of impiety and social breakdown—that makes the times "perilous." It underscores that the danger lies not just in external pressures but in the very nature of human depravity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Timothy 3:2](/2_timothy/3-2 "2 Timothy 3:2 - Characteristics of Perilous Times") paints a grim picture of humanity's fallen state and the escalating depravity in the "last days," it powerfully underscores the profound necessity and glorious sufficiency of Jesus Christ. The very vices enumerated—self-love, covetousness, pride, blasphemy, disobedience, ingratitude, and unholiness—are precisely the sins from which Christ came to deliver us. He perfectly embodied the antithesis of these traits: demonstrating ultimate selfless love by laying down His life ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love")), exhibiting profound humility in His incarnation and obedience unto death ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")), perfectly honoring His Father through complete obedience ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Christ's Obedience")), and living a life of absolute holiness, untouched by sin ([Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Christ, the Holy High Priest")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ broke the power of sin, and by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to put off these old, corrupt desires and put on the new self, created in righteousness and true holiness ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New")). Thus, this verse, by starkly revealing the depth of human depravity, ultimately highlights the transformative power of the Gospel and the glorious redemption found in Christ alone.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Philippians 2:21

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

Romans 1:29

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Romans 1:31

Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Psalms 10:3

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, [whom] the LORD abhorreth.

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.

2 Timothy 3:4

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

2 Peter 2:14

Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: