2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but…”

2 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

World English Bible

For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts,

American Standard Version

For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

Geneva Bible 1599

For the time will come, when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but hauing their eares itching, shall after their owne lustes get them an heape of teachers,

Darby Translation

For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;

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,

Bible in Basic English

For the time will come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the pleasure of hearing them;

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Cross references

“the time”

2 Timothy 3:1–6 1 Timothy 4:1–3

2 Timothy 3:1–6 · BSB

But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.

1 Timothy 4:1–3 · BSB

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,

“they will”

Galatians 4:16 Isaiah 28:12 John 8:45 2 Chronicles 24:20–22 Jeremiah 18:18 Luke 20:19

Galatians 4:16 · BSB

Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

Isaiah 28:12 · BSB

to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

John 8:45 · BSB

But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!

2 Chronicles 24:20–22 · BSB

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD so that you cannot prosp…

Jeremiah 18:18 · BSB

Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his word…

Luke 20:19 · BSB

When the scribes and chief priests realized that Jesus had spoken this parable against them, they sought to arrest Him that very hour. But they were afraid of the people.

“sound”

1 Timothy 1:10

1 Timothy 1:10 · BSB

for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

“but”

2 Peter 2:1–3 John 3:19–21 Jeremiah 5:31 Micah 2:11 Luke 6:26 1 Kings 18:22

2 Peter 2:1–3 · BSB

Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction o…

John 3:19–21 · BSB

And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.

Jeremiah 5:31 · BSB

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Micah 2:11 · BSB

If a man of wind were to come and say falsely, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be just the preacher for this people!

Luke 6:26 · BSB

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.

1 Kings 18:22 · BSB

Then Elijah said to the people, “I am the only remaining prophet of the LORD, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.

“having”

Acts 17:21 1 Corinthians 2:1 1 Corinthians 2:4 Exodus 32:33

Acts 17:21 · BSB

Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.

1 Corinthians 2:1 · BSB

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

1 Corinthians 2:4 · BSB

My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

Exodus 32:33 · BSB

The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

Read 2 Timothy 4