2 Timothy 3:2 - Exposition

Self for their own selves , A.V.; lovers of money for covetous , A.V.; boastful for boasters , A.V.; haughty for proud , A.V.; railers for blasphemers , A.V. Men ( οἱἄνθρωποι ); men in general, the bulk of men in the Church; for he is speaking, not of the world at large, but of professing Christians. Lovers of self ( φίλαυτοι ); only here in the New Testament, and not found in the LXX .; but used by Aristotle in a striking passage (quoted by Alford), where he distinguishes those who are φίλαυτοι in a good sense, and those who are justly blamed for being φίλαυτοι , i . e . selfish and greedy. The Christian character is exactly the opposite (see 1 Corinthians 10:24 ; 1 Corinthians 13:5 ). Lovers of money ( φιλάργυροι ); elsewhere in the New Testament only in Luke 16:14 , though not uncommon in classical Greek; φιλαργυρία is found in 1 Timothy 6:10 . Boastful ( ἀλάζονες ); as Romans 1:30 , and in classical Greek. It the derivation of the word is ἄλη , wandering, we may compare the περιερχόμενοι of Acts 9:13 , "vagabond Jews." Such vagabonds were usually boasters. Hence ἀλαζών came to mean "a boaster." Haughty, railers. υπερηφανία and βλασφημία are coupled together in Mark 7:22 ; and ὑπερηφάνους and ἀλάζονας in Romans 1:30 . In the New Testament βλάσφημος and βλασφημία are most commonly used of evil speaking against God and holy things; but not always (see Ephesians 4:31 ; Colossians 3:8 ; 1 Timothy 6:4 ). Here apparently it means generally "evil speakers." Unthankful ( ἀχάριστοι ); as Luke 6:35 . Found occasionally in the LXX ., and common in classical Greek. The ingratitude which they showed to their parents was a part of their general character. We ought to take special note of this passive sin—the not being thankful for good received from God and man. Unholy ( ἀνόσιοι ); as 1 Timothy 1:9 (where see note).