Devine Scripture

2 Timothy 3:2

What does 2 Timothy 3:2 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Timothy 3:2 means

Paul begins a long list that exposes the heart of the problem: disordered love. People will be lovers of self and of money, which breeds a host of other sins—boasting, pride, abusive speech, rebellion against parents, ingratitude, and a life detached from what is holy. When self sits at the center, relationships fracture, humility disappears, and reverence toward God and neighbor wanes. Paul is not describing merely “bad manners,” but a deep spiritual sickness. This portrait warns Timothy that some who appear religious may be driven by self-interest. Shepherding will require discernment, courage to confront, and compassion for those ensnared by such loves.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise, having no religion,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, evil-speakers, to parents disobedient, unthankful, unkind,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, evil speakers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, profane,

Context

This verse launches the vice list that continues through verse 4 and culminates in verse 5’s assessment of hollow religion. By starting with self-love and money-love, Paul identifies root issues from which the remaining vices flow. The immediate context is pastoral: Timothy must not be naïve about human sinfulness, even within church circles. The list sets up the command to avoid the appearance-only godliness of verse 5 and explains why false teachers gain a foothold.

v.1But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come.

v.2This passage

v.3without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Timothy 3:4

    traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

  • 2 Peter 2:12

    But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

  • Matthew 15:6

    he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.

  • Romans 15:1

    Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

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