2 Timothy 3:4
What does 2 Timothy 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 3:4 means
The list closes with terms that describe treachery and arrogance: “traitors,” “headstrong,” and “puffed up.” Such people betray trust, refuse wise counsel, and swell with conceit. The core diagnosis comes last: they are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” When pleasure becomes a god, loyalties shift and truth gets traded for convenience. This is not merely about illicit indulgence; it is about misplaced worship. Timothy must recognize that the root issue is the heart’s love. Only love for God can rightly order lesser joys. Without that, people will use others, resist repentance, and cloak their idolatry in religious language.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949False to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in mind, loving pleasure more than God;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862traitors, heady, lofty, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasure more than of God:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890traitors, headlong, of vain pretensions, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers ofGod;
Context
Verse 4 completes the vice list that began in verse 2, setting up verse 5’s contrast between outward religion and inward denial. By moving from social sins to the misdirected love of pleasure, Paul brings the heart of the matter into focus. This prepares for his judgment that such people may still “hold a form of godliness.” The transition is vital: Timothy must not be deceived by appearances, because the decisive question is whom one truly loves and serves.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 3:18
For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
- 2 Peter 2:10
but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
- 1 Timothy 5:6
But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
- Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand unto this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- Jude 1:19
These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.
- Jude 1:8
Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities.
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