King James Version

What Does 2 Timothy 3:2 Mean?

2 Timothy 3:2 in the King James Version says “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,...” — study this verse from 2 Timothy chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

2 Timothy 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2

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

3

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, false: or, one who foments strife

4

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Paul begins a vice catalog describing "perilous times." "Lovers of their own selves" (philautoi, φίλαυτοι) is self-love, narcissism—foundational sin from which others flow. Philos (φίλος) means friend, lover; combined with autos (self), it describes those who are their own best friends, prioritizing self above God and others. This is the spirit of the age.

"Covetous" (philargyroi, φιλάργυροι) literally means "lovers of silver"—greed, materialism. "Boasters" (alazones, ἀλαζόνες) means braggarts, those who claim more than they possess. "Proud" (hyperēphanoi, ὑπερήφανοι) combines hyper (above) and phainō (appear)—those who show themselves above others, arrogant, haughty. "Blasphemers" (blasphēmoi, βλάσφημοι) means slanderers, those who speak evil—against both God and humans.

"Disobedient to parents" (goneusin apeitheis, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς) violates the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12), breaking down family structures. "Unthankful" (acharistoi, ἀχάριστοι) means ungrateful, lacking appreciation—failing to recognize God's gifts or others' kindness. "Unholy" (anosioi, ἀνόσιοι) means profane, lacking reverence for sacred things. These eight vices paint a society characterized by radical selfishness, material greed, arrogant pride, verbal abuse, familial breakdown, ingratitude, and irreverence—a comprehensive picture of human depravity unleashed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient moralists compiled vice lists to identify cultural problems. Paul adapts this literary form to describe last-days society. Significantly, these vices characterized pagan Greco-Roman culture but increasingly infected the church. The order is deliberate: self-love produces greed (loving money), which produces boasting (self-promotion), which produces pride (superiority complex), which produces blasphemy (no fear of God), which produces familial rebellion (no respect for authority), which produces ingratitude (entitlement mentality), which produces irreverence (nothing is sacred). Each sin flows from the previous, creating downward spiral.

Reflection Questions

  1. Which of these vices do you struggle with personally, and how does self-love fuel other sins in your life?
  2. How does contemporary culture embody these characteristics, and how do they infiltrate the church despite believers' profession of faith?
  3. In what practical ways can you cultivate opposite virtues: other-centeredness, generosity, humility, edifying speech, honor for parents, gratitude, and reverence for holy things?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ἔσονται1 of 13

“shall be”

G2071

will be

γὰρ2 of 13

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οἱ3 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνθρωποι4 of 13

“men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

φίλαυτοι5 of 13

“lovers of their own selves”

G5367

fond of self, i.e., selfish

φιλάργυροι6 of 13

“covetous”

G5366

fond of silver (money), i.e., avaricious

ἀλαζόνες7 of 13

“boasters”

G213

braggart

ὑπερήφανοι8 of 13

“proud”

G5244

appearing above others (conspicuous), i.e., (figuratively) haughty

βλάσφημοι9 of 13

“blasphemers”

G989

scurrilious, i.e., calumnious (against men), or (specially) impious (against god)

γονεῦσιν10 of 13

“to parents”

G1118

a parent

ἀπειθεῖς11 of 13

“disobedient”

G545

unpersuadable, i.e., contumacious

ἀχάριστοι12 of 13

“unthankful”

G884

thankless, i.e., ungrateful

ἀνόσιοι13 of 13

“unholy”

G462

wicked

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Timothy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Timothy 3:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Timothy 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 2:21Romans 1:29-31Jude 1:16Psalms 10:32 Timothy 3:42 Peter 2:14-15

Test Your Knowledge

2 Timothy 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Timothy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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