Matthew 24:12

KJV

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} because {G1223} iniquity {G458} shall abound {G4129}, the love {G26} of many {G4183} shall wax cold {G5594}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and many people's love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

American Standard Version

And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 24:12, a poignant declaration within Jesus' Olivet Discourse, prophesies a profound moral and spiritual decline preceding His return. It warns that as lawlessness escalates, the natural consequence will be a widespread spiritual apathy, causing the love of many—both within and outside the believing community—to diminish and grow cold. This verse serves as a crucial signpost for the end times, highlighting the corrosive effect of sin on human compassion, faith, and relationships.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 24:12 is embedded within Jesus' [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), His detailed prophetic teaching delivered on the Mount of Olives in response to the disciples' questions about the destruction of the Temple and the signs of His coming and the end of the age (cf. [Matthew 24:3](/matthew/24-3 "Matthew 24:3 - Disciples' Questions")). Preceding this verse, Jesus describes various tribulations, including false Christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and the persecution of believers ([Matthew 24:4-11](/matthew/24-4-11 "Matthew 24:4-11 - Signs of the End")). Verse 12 then introduces a moral and spiritual decay that will accompany these physical and social upheavals, providing a direct cause-and-effect relationship between increasing lawlessness and the cooling of love. The subsequent verse, [Matthew 24:13](/matthew/24-13 "Matthew 24:13 - Perseverance to the End"), emphasizes the necessity of perseverance amidst such conditions, underscoring the spiritual battle that believers will face.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' discourse was given to His Jewish disciples within the context of first-century Judea, a region under Roman occupation and marked by significant political and religious tension. The concept of "lawlessness" (anomia) would have resonated deeply with a Jewish audience familiar with the Mosaic Law and the prophetic warnings against deviation from God's commands. The idea of love "waxing cold" speaks to a deterioration of the communal bonds and spiritual fervor that characterized the ideal of God's covenant people. While Jesus' immediate audience was Jewish, His prophecies extend beyond their immediate historical horizon, describing conditions that would characterize the broader human experience leading up to the eschatological climax. The cultural backdrop of a society grappling with moral decay and the erosion of traditional values provides a timeless framework for understanding the verse's implications.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the [Olivet Discourse](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse") and the broader book of Matthew. First, it underscores the theme of **Eschatological Signs**, providing a moral indicator alongside physical and social ones that point to the end times. Second, it highlights the pervasive nature of **Sin and Lawlessness**, portraying a world increasingly rebellious against divine order, a theme also seen in Jesus' warnings about the "evil generation" ([Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - Sign of Jonah")). Third, it addresses the critical theme of **Spiritual Decline and Apathy**, particularly the diminishing of love, which is foundational to both the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Great Commandment")). Finally, it implicitly sets the stage for the theme of **Perseverance and Endurance** for believers, as they must guard their hearts and maintain their love in the face of widespread spiritual coldness, as further emphasized in [Matthew 24:13](/matthew/24-13 "Matthew 24:13 - Perseverance to the End").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **iniquity (Greek, _anomía'_):** From G458, meaning "illegality, i.e. violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness." This term signifies not merely isolated acts of sin, but a pervasive state of "lawlessness" – a deliberate disregard for God's moral and divine law. It implies a rebellion against established order and a rejection of righteous standards, moving beyond mere transgression to a systemic defiance.
* **abound (Greek, _plēthýnō'_):** From G4129, meaning "to increase (transitively or intransitively)." This verb indicates a quantitative increase, suggesting that lawlessness will not just be present but will multiply, become widespread, and grow in intensity and prevalence. It paints a picture of an overwhelming tide of wickedness.
* **wax cold (Greek, _psýchō'_):** From G5594, a primary verb meaning "to breathe (voluntarily but gently)...to chill (figuratively)." This vivid imagery describes a gradual but definite loss of warmth, passion, and vitality. Applied to "love," it suggests a fading of spiritual fervor, compassion, and charitable affection, akin to a fire dying down to embers or water freezing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And because iniquity shall abound":** This clause establishes the causal link. The increasing prevalence and intensity of "iniquity" (lawlessness, rebellion against God's moral order) is presented as the foundational problem. This is not just a general increase in sin, but a deliberate and widespread rejection of divine standards, creating an environment hostile to righteousness and spiritual warmth.
* **"the love of many shall wax cold":** This clause describes the direct and inevitable consequence of abounding lawlessness. The "love" (agape, G26 – referring to divine, self-sacrificial love) of "many" (G4183 – indicating a significant, widespread number, not necessarily all) will diminish, lose its warmth, and become apathetic. This chilling effect can manifest as a loss of fervent devotion to God, a decline in compassion and charity towards fellow believers, and a general indifference to the suffering or needs of humanity. The spiritual temperature of society, and even within the church, will drop significantly.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 24:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its prophetic warning. Most prominently, it utilizes **Cause and Effect**, directly linking the abounding of iniquity to the chilling of love. This creates a logical and sobering progression, emphasizing that moral decay has tangible spiritual consequences. The phrase "wax cold" is a powerful instance of **Imagery**, evoking the sensation of warmth dissipating, like a fire losing its heat or a body losing its vitality. This sensory detail effectively communicates the spiritual apathy and indifference that will characterize the period. Furthermore, the verse uses **Figurative Language** to describe an abstract concept (love) with a physical attribute (temperature), making the spiritual decline more concrete and impactful. The term "many" can also be seen as a form of **Generalization**, indicating a widespread phenomenon rather than an isolated incident, thereby underscoring the severity and breadth of the predicted moral decay.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 24:12 serves as a stark reminder of the intrinsic connection between a society's moral state and its spiritual health. The abounding of "anomia" (lawlessness) directly correlates with the decline of "agape" (divine love), illustrating that a rejection of God's order inevitably leads to a breakdown in human relationships and spiritual vitality. This prophecy underscores the fragility of love in a fallen world and highlights the spiritual battle believers face to maintain their fervor amidst increasing darkness. It also speaks to the nature of the "last days" as a period of intense spiritual warfare, where the very essence of Christian discipleship—love—will be under assault.

* [2 Timothy 3:1-5](/2_timothy/3-1-5 "2 Timothy 3:1-5 - Perilous Times and Moral Decay")
* [Revelation 3:15-16](/revelation/3-15-16 "Revelation 3:15-16 - The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea")
* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - Jesus' New Commandment to Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 24:12 is not merely a prophecy about a distant future; it is a profound call to introspection and spiritual vigilance for believers in every age. In a world where lawlessness, moral relativism, and digital anonymity can foster indifference, the warning to guard our hearts against spiritual coldness is more relevant than ever. This verse challenges us to actively cultivate and preserve the warmth of our love for God and for one another, recognizing that our spiritual fervor is a vital defense against the chilling effects of a fallen world. It encourages us to be counter-cultural agents, demonstrating radical compassion and unwavering commitment to truth and love, even when it is unpopular or difficult. Our perseverance in love becomes a powerful testimony to the enduring grace of God in an increasingly cold world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways might "iniquity" or "lawlessness" be abounding in our current society, and how might this impact our spiritual environment?**
* **How can we actively guard our own hearts and the hearts of those in our community against the "love waxing cold"?**
* **What practical steps can individuals and churches take to cultivate and maintain fervent love for God and for others, even amidst challenging circumstances?**
* **How does the warning in Matthew 24:12 motivate us to prayer, discipleship, and evangelism?**

### FAQ
**What does "iniquity shall abound" specifically mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "iniquity shall abound" refers to a widespread and increasing prevalence of "anomia" (ἀνομία), which literally means "lawlessness" or "without law." It signifies more than just an increase in individual sins; it points to a systemic disregard for divine and moral law, a pervasive spirit of rebellion against God's established order and righteous standards. This abounding lawlessness creates an environment where moral boundaries are blurred, and ethical foundations erode, directly impacting the spiritual climate.

**Is the "love of many" referring only to believers, or to humanity in general?**

Answer: The phrase "the love of many" (G4183, _polýs_) is generally understood to refer to a widespread phenomenon affecting a significant portion of humanity. While it certainly includes the potential for spiritual apathy within the professing church, it is not exclusively limited to believers. The "love" (G26, _agápē_) here encompasses both the divine, self-sacrificial love that characterizes Christian discipleship and the broader human compassion and benevolence that can exist in society. As lawlessness abounds, it corrodes both the sacred love for God and neighbor within the church, and the general empathy and concern for others in the wider world, leading to a global chilling of human affection and spiritual warmth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 24:12 describes a sobering reality of moral and spiritual decline, its ultimate fulfillment and hope are found in Christ. The "abounding iniquity" that Jesus prophesied is precisely what He came to conquer. He is the embodiment of perfect love, who, unlike the "love of many" that "shall wax cold," demonstrated unwavering, self-sacrificial love on the cross ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate answer to lawlessness, for He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, poured out by Christ, empowers believers to maintain fervent love even amidst a cold world, enabling them to bear the fruit of love ([Galatians 5:22](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22 - Fruit of the Spirit")) and to be a light in the darkness ([Matthew 5:14-16](/matthew/5-14-16 "Matthew 5:14-16 - You Are the Light of the World")). Thus, for those who endure in Christ, the chilling prophecy of Matthew 24:12 is met with the warming, transforming power of His abiding presence and everlasting love ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - God's Unfailing Love")).

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

Revelation 2:4

Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Revelation 2:5

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

James 4:1

¶ From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?

James 4:4

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Revelation 3:15

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Revelation 2:10

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some] of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

James 5:1

¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].