2 Timothy 4:4

And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

And {G2532} they shall turn away {G3303}{G654} their ears {G189} from {G575} the truth {G225}, and {G1161} shall be turned {G1624} unto {G1909} fables {G3454}.

Yes, they will stop listening to the truth, but will turn aside to follow myths.

So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:4 serves as a solemn warning from the Apostle Paul to his protégé Timothy, describing a future spiritual condition where people will intentionally reject divine truth in favor of falsehoods. This verse is part of Paul's final instructions, emphasizing the challenges faced by those who uphold the Gospel.

Context

This verse is found within Paul's poignant final letter to Timothy, written shortly before Paul's death. It follows Paul's urgent command in 2 Timothy 4:2 to "preach the word" and be persistent in it. Paul foresees a time, as detailed in the preceding verse, when people "will not endure sound doctrine." Verse 4 then describes the natural consequence of this rejection: a deliberate turning away from God's revealed truth and an embrace of deceptive narratives or human inventions.

Key Themes

  • Rejection of Truth: The verse highlights an active and deliberate turning away of ears from the "truth," which fundamentally refers to the Gospel and God's revealed word. This is not merely ignorance but a conscious choice to disengage from what is spiritually sound.
  • Embrace of Fables: As a direct result of rejecting truth, people will turn to "fables." These are not innocent stories but misleading myths, humanly devised philosophies, or unbiblical teachings that cater to personal desires rather than divine revelation. This speaks to a preference for comforting lies over challenging truths.
  • Spiritual Decline and Apostasy: Paul's warning underscores a pervasive spiritual decline where genuine faith is eroded by a hunger for novelty or teachings that validate one's own inclinations, rather than submitting to the authority of God's Word. This foreshadows times of significant spiritual deception.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "turn away their ears" comes from the Greek word apostrephō (ἀποστρέφω), which implies a deliberate act of turning back or averting oneself, signifying an intentional rejection. The "truth" is aletheia (ἀλήθεια), referring to divine reality and the authentic message of the Gospel. In stark contrast, "fables" is mythos (μῦθος), denoting fictitious narratives, legends, or baseless speculations. This term is also used elsewhere by Paul to warn against unprofitable myths and endless genealogies that detract from godly edification.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning for believers today. It calls for:

  • Vigilance and Discernment: Christians must be spiritually alert, discerning between biblical truth and deceptive teachings that may sound appealing but lack scriptural foundation. The ability to discern good from evil is crucial.
  • Anchoring in Scripture: To avoid being swayed by "fables," believers must be deeply rooted in God's Word, allowing it to be the ultimate standard for truth. Regular study and meditation on the Bible are essential for spiritual stability.
  • Steadfastness in Preaching: Those who teach or preach the Gospel are encouraged to remain faithful to sound doctrine, even when it is unpopular or challenging, knowing that some will inevitably reject it.
Ultimately, 2 Timothy 4:4 reminds us of the ongoing spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of people, emphasizing the preciousness of truth and the danger of straying from it.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 7:11

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • 1 Timothy 1:4

    Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

  • 2 Peter 1:16

    ¶ For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

  • Acts 7:57

    Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

  • 1 Timothy 4:7

    But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.

  • Titus 1:14

    Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

  • 2 Timothy 1:15

    ¶ This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

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