2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts will they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears;
a. NLT: For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
b. NIV: For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
c. Young’s Literal Translation: for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing,
d. Amplified Bible: For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,
e. Worrell Translation: For there will be a time when they will not endure the healthful teaching; but having itching ears, they will for themselves heap up teachers according to their own desires.
f. Wuest Translation: For the time will come when they will not endure our wholesome doctrine in that they will hold themselves firmly against it, but dominated by their own personal cravings, they, having ears that desire merely to be gratified, shall gather to themselves and accumulations of teachers.
g. Peshitta Eastern Text: For the time will come when men will not listen to sound doctrine; but they will add for themselves extra teachers according to their desires, being lured by enticing words.
1. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…”
a. For [Strong: 1063 gar, gar; a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]
b. the time [Strong: 2540 kairos kahee-ros'; an occasion, i.e. set or proper time:--X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.]
1). Rick Renner, 9/26/16: The word “time” in verse 3 was translated from the Greek word kairos, which depicts a specific season. Paul said, “This specific season shall come.” The tense is futuristic, pointing to a season in the future, or to events that will occur in the very last part of the last days. In this end-times season, the Holy Spirit said increasing numbers of people in the Christian community “…will not endure sound doctrine…” (v. 3). Even now, this is taking place as many are gravitating toward teaching and preaching that is more motivational and psychological than Bible-based
c. will come [Strong: 2071 esomai es'-om-ahee; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.]
d. when [Strong: 3753 hote, hot'-eh; from 3739 and 5037; at which (thing) too, i.e. when:--after (that), as soon as, that, when, while.]
e. they will…endure [Strong: 430 anechomai an-ekh'-om-ahee; to hold oneself up against, i.e. (figuratively) put up with:--bear with, endure, forbear, suffer.] [Zodhiates: to hold up or back from falling; in 2 Timothy 4:3 by implication, to admit, receive, i.e., to listen to.] [OBU: to hold up, to hold one's self erect and firm, to sustain, to bear, to endure.] [Thayer: to hold oneself erect and firm, to sustain, to bear, to bear with, endure.]
f. not [Strong: 3756 ou, oo; also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]
1). The time will come when many in the church will not tolerate or put up with sound, healthy teaching. Many in the church will no longer consider the Bible to be the “holy Scriptures”. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:15 that the Scriptures were “holy”.
g. sound [Strong: 5198 hugiaino hoog-ee-ah'-ee-no from 5199; to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine):--be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole(-some).] [Zodhiates: to be healthy, sound, physically well. Metaphorically of persons, to be sound in the faith, meaning firm, pure in respect to Christian doctrine. Of doctrine, meaning sound doctrine, i.e., true, pure, uncorrupted. ] [Where we get the English word “hygiene”.]
h. doctrine [Strong: 1319 didaskalia did-as-kal-ee'-ah from 1320; instruction (the function or the information):--doctrine, learning, teaching.] [Zodhiates: the act or manner of teaching, with the meaning of warning.]
1). Looking at its uses in the New Testament gives us a good idea of what sound doctrine is.
a). 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
b). Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
2). In the second chapter of Titus, the Apostle Paul gives a short list of things that are sound doctrine.
a). Titus 2:1-8 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2:2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
2:5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
2:6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
b). Notice the effect of “sound speech”, that there could be no evil thing said in response to you.
3). In the first chapter of 1 Timothy the Apostle Paul also gives a list of things that are contrary to sound doctrine. Along with some general offences of being lawless, disobedient, ungodly and so on, Paul lists eight specific crimes that are “contrary to sound doctrine”. Although there are a number of sinful offences listed in the verses below, the focus will be on homosexuality, because as 2 Timothy 4:3 declares along with the complimentary verses, the last days will be marked with a definite similarity with Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain. The rise of the homosexual movement worldwide is a prophetic moment. It is one of the signs of the end times.
a). 1 Timothy 1:8-11 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1:10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1:11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
(1) Laws that forbid the sinful behaviors listed in 1 Timothy 1:8-11 are not only “sound doctrine” i.e., healthy teaching, but they are also “according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,” the glorious good news.
b). whoremonger [Strong: 4205 pornos por'-nos from pernemi; (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger.] [Zodhiates: to sell, which is from perao (n.f.), to pass through, carry over (particularly as merchants) and thence to sell, which in the N.T. appears piprasko (4097). A whoremonger or male prostitute.] [Thayer: a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire, a male prostitute.] [Vines: denotes a man who indulges in fornication.][Bullinger: a sodomite, a catamite.]
(1) Four of the five Greek Dictionaries define the word as a homosexual prostitute. This Greek word is where we get the prefix to the compound English word, pornography. The word “graph” is also of Greek origin.
c). them that defile themselves with mankind [Strong: 733 arsenokoites ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace from 730 and 2845; a sodomite:--abuser of (that defile) self with mankind. arsenokoites; arsen-a male; koite-a bed] [Zodhaites: a man who lies in bed with another male, a homosexual.] [James B. De Young, Professor of NT, Western Conservative Baptist Seminary: “Paul coined the term arsenkoitai, deriving it from the LXX translation of Leviticus 20:13 (cf. 18:22) and using it for homosexual…behavior, the latter of which should be an occasion for church discipline (1 Corinthians 5-6), and legislation in society
(1 Timothy 1:8-11).”
(1) The context clearly says that laws that forbid homosexual behavior are sound doctrine and according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. In light of that what are we to think concerning ministers of the gospel and Christians who support homosexual rights, including the right to participate in homosexual behavior and get married? We put them right in the context of 2 Timothy 3:1-2 Timothy 4:4, 21 verses that clearly describe the characteristics of Christianity in the last days, including of course 2 Timothy 4:3, the particular verse we are studying. Not only are these individuals described as not enduring sound doctrine and teaching according to their lusts, but also earlier in 2 Timothy 3 they are described as men whose minds are corrupt and rejected concerning faith. It also describes men during this time as evil men and seducers getting worse and worse, being deceived themselves and deceiving others.
d). Also listed is three types of murder, kidnapping, lying, and perjury.
(1) Murderers of fathers, murderers of mothers, manslayers.
(2) Menstealers.
(3) Liars, perjured persons.
4). Jesus said that the last days would be similar to the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah.
a). Luke 17:28-30 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
b). In order to get a better understanding of what Jesus was referring to, I challenge everyone reading this to study out every reference to Sodom in the whole Bible. Doing so will reveal not only other ungodly characteristics Sodom was guilty of, but also show how the modern homosexual movement also exhibits these same ungodly characteristics toward the things of God and the people of God.
2. “…but after their own lusts…”
a. but [Strong: 235 alla al-lah'; neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]
b. after [Strong: 2596 kata kat-ah'; a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from ... to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), ... by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]
c. their own [Strong: 2398 idios id'-ee-os; of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate:--X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own).]
d. lusts [Strong: 1939 epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah; from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):--concupiscence, desire, lust (after).] [Zodhiates: Strong desire, longing, lust.] [Vine: denotes strong desire of any kind…specified by some adjective, refers to those evil desires which are ready to express themselves in bodily activity.]
1). According to Blue Letter Bible this word occurs 37 times in the N.T. and 34 times it is used in an evil sense. Examples: “lusts of the flesh”, Galatians 5:16; “lust of uncleaness”, 2 Peter 2:10; “worldly lusts”, Titus 2:12; “lusts and pleasures”, Titus 3:3; “ungodly lusts”, Jude 18.
2). In Romans 1:26 Paul refers to male and female same sex desire as a “vile affection” (King James Version), “shameful desires” (New Living Translation), “shameful lusts” (New International Version), “vile affections and degrading passions” (Amplified Bible). As such it is to be included in the lusts of the flesh listed in Galatians 5 and 1 John. Same sex attraction is not an orientation, according to the God inspired Scripture, it is a lust.
a). Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
b). 1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
3). It is also to be included in the law of sin and death that began to plague mankind beginning at the fall of man and described in Romans 7.
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?
4). All of “the law of sin and death” is overcome through the new birth in Christ Jesus.
a). Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
5). All sins, including same sex lust can be forgiven completely to the degree you are no longer tied to that sin. We are no longer drug addicts, alcholics, thieves, or homosexual, whatever.
a). 1Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
b). justified [1344 * dikaioo] [Zodhiates: it is used with the preposition ‘apo’-from, referring to all those things from which the Mosaic Law could not liberate us. In this instance as well as in Romans 6:7 where ‘apo’ is used with the word sin, it refers to our liberation from something, i.e., sin which holds a man a prisoner, a slave…thus dikaioo does not mean the mere declaration of innocence, but the liberation from sin which holds a man a prisoner.]
c). We are not only forgiven but also delivered from whatever sin held us in bondage. Glory to God!
3. “…shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
a. shall they heap [Strong: 2002 episoreuo ep-ee-so-ryoo'-o; from 1909 and 4987; to accumulate further, i.e. (figuratively) seek additionally:--heap.] [Vine: to heap upon or together.] [Bullinger: to accumulate.]
b. to themselves [Strong: 1438 heautou heh-ow-too'; from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]
c. teachers [Strong: 1320 didaskalos did-as'-kal-os; from 1321; an instructor (genitive case or specially):--doctor, master, teacher.]
d. having itching [Strong: 2833 knetho knay'-tho; from a primary knao (to scrape); to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle:--X itching.]
e. ears [Strong: 189 akoe ak-o-ay'; from 191; hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard):--audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, report, rumor.]
1). I believe the Amplified Bible says it clearly “…they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold.” These people want to hear teachers who bolster their belief that they can engage in these lusts and still be in relationship with God.
2). Since the late sixties there has been an incredible steady increase in the number of false teachers that have been teaching male and female homosexuality are just two of the many sexual orientations that comprise human sexuality. I became aware of this false teaching in 1976 right before I got saved. Not long after I got saved I began collecting newspaper and magazine articles that reported this increase in false teachers, but it wasn’t until the early 80’s that I began a serious look into this heresy. The effects of this false teaching has literally split whole denominations and has caused major rifts in all the main line denominations, specifically those denominations that do not accept the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God and the final authority on all matters of faith and living. When Scripture is not our final authority, there are no boundaries.
3). There are many false teachers now teaching that those in bondage to same sex lust are born that way and it is their orientation. They are teaching lying vanities similar to what Jeremiah warned about.
a). Jeremiah 7:8-10 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
7:10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
