2 Timothy 3:3

2 Timothy 3:3

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

a. NLT: They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Young’s Literal Translation: without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, not lovers of those who are good, [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Worrell Translation: without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, intemperate, fierce, no lovers of good. [Copyright 1904 by A.S. Worrell. Copyright assigned to the Assemblies of God, Springfield, MO. This edition was published 1980 by the Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802. Printed in the U.S.A.]

1. “Without natural affection…”

a. Without natural affection [Strong: 794 * ástorgos, as'-tor-gos; from G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of στέργω stérgō (to cherish affectionately); hard-hearted towards kindred:—without natural affection; astorgos; a-without; storge-family love] 

1). D.C.: The definition is self explanatory. It just means without family love. Some mistakenly apply this as unnatural affection, i.e., homosexuality, but it does not mean that. I believe the Apostle Paul deals with this in this same stream context in 2 Timothy 4:3, 4, about sound doctrine.

2. “…trucebreakers…”

a. trucebreaker [Strong: 786 * áspondos, as'-pon-dos; from G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G4689; literally, without libation (which usually accompanied a treaty), i.e. (by implication) truceless:—implacable, truce-breaker.] [Zodhiates: aspondos; a-without; sponde-libation or drink offering.; The absolutely irreconcilable person who, being at war, refuses to lay aside his enmity or to listen to terms of reconciliation. In a state of war.] 

3. “…false accusers…”

a. false accursers [Strong: 1228 * diábolos, dee-ab'-ol-os; from G1225; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare H7854):—false accuser, devil, slanderer.] [Zodhiates: A false accuser, used for the devil. One who falsely accuses and divides people without a reason.] [Strong: from 1225; a traducer; specially, Satan (compare 7854):--false accuser, devil, slanderer.]

1). According to Blue Letter Bible this word is used 38 times in the N.T. and 35 times it is translated “devil”, twice it is translated “false accusers”, and once it is translated “slanderers”. 

4. “…incontintent…”

a. incontinent [Strong: 193 * akratḗs, ak-rat'-ace; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G2904; powerless, i.e. without self-control:—incontinent.] [Zodhiates: akrates; a-without; krates-strength; Unable to govern ones appetites.] 

1). Although this word is primarily addressed commercially to individuals in our culture who can’t control their bladder or their bowels, it applies to anyone who can’t control anything in their personal lives. It applies to those who can’t control their food appetites or those who can’t control their emotions. Another word used in our culture regarding these things is addiction. People are addicted to chocolate or addicted to the internet, addicted to pornography. A person is “addicted” to this, or “addicted” to that. It is a characteristic of these days that we can’t govern our appetites. This is exactly what “incontinent” means. Because of the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we inherited the law of sin and death in our flesh. Paul described it in Romans as not being able to stop ourselves from sinning.

a). Romans 7:14-24 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

2). Because of what Jesus did on the cross and providing mankind the opportunity of the New Birth, we now have the ability through Christ Jesus to overcome it all.

a). Romans 6:16-18  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

5. “…fierce…”

a. fierce [Strong: 434 * anḗmeros, an-ay'-mer-os; from G1 (as a negative particle) and ἥμερος hḗmeros (lame); savage:—fierce.] [Zodhiates: anemeros; a-without; hemeros-mild; ungentle.] 

1). This Greek word is only used one time in the New Testament.

6. “…despisers of those who are good…”

a. despisers of those who are good [Strong: 865 * aphilágathos, af-il-ag'-ath-os; from G1 (as a negative particle) and G5358; hostile to virtue:—despiser of those that are good.] [Zodhiates: aphilagathos; a-without; philagathos-lover of being good; Used only in 2 Timothy 3:3, and means hostile to good men.] 

1). This Greek word is only used one time in the New Testament. Again, are any of these characteristics in our life. They should not.