New International Version without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, New Living Translation They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. English Standard Version heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, Berean Standard Bible unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, Berean Literal Bible unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without control, savage, without love of good, King James Bible Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, New King James Version unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, New American Standard Bible unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, NASB 1995 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, NASB 1977 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, Legacy Standard Bible unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, without gentleness, without love for good, Amplified Bible [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, Berean Annotated Bible unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, Christian Standard Bible unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, Holman Christian Standard Bible unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, American Standard Version without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, Contemporary English Version heartless, and hateful. Their words will be cruel, and they will have no self-control or pity. These people will hate everything good. English Revised Version without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, GOD'S WORD® Translation and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. Good News Translation they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; International Standard Version unfeeling, uncooperative, slanderous, degenerate, brutal, hateful of what is good, NET Bible unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, New Heart English Bible unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, hateful of good, Webster's Bible Translation Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Weymouth New Testament destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleunloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, World English Bible without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionwithout natural affection, implacable, false accusers, without control, barbaric, not lovers of those who are good, Berean Literal Bible unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without control, savage, without love of good, Young's Literal Translation without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, not lovers of those who are good, Smith's Literal Translation Devoid of natural affection, not observing treaties, accusers, ungoverned, wild, not loving the good, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWithout affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, Catholic Public Domain Version without affection, without peace, false accusers, unchaste, cruel, without kindness, New American Bible callous, implacable, slanderous, licentious, brutal, hating what is good, New Revised Standard Version inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFalse accusers, addicts to lust, brutal, haters of good things, Aramaic Bible in Plain English Slanderers, captives to desire, cruel, haters of the good, NT Translations Anderson New Testamentwithout natural affection, implacable, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, haters of those who are good, Godbey New Testament without natural affections, covenant breakers, devilish, intemperate, furious, opposed to good, Haweis New Testament unnatural, implacable, slanderers, intemperate, inhuman, averse to goodness, Mace New Testament villainous, unnatural, perfidious, defamers, debauchees, Weymouth New Testament destitute of natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers. They will have no self-control, but will be brutal, opposed to goodness, Worrell New Testament without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, intemperate, fierce, no lovers of good, Worsley New Testament without natural affection, perfidious, false accusers, intemperate, savage, enemies to the good, traitors, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Evil in the Last Days…2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 4traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,… Cross References unloving, Romans 1:31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. unforgiving, Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times! / Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. … Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. slanderous, Proverbs 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. Titus 2:3 Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. without self-control, Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper. 2 Peter 1:6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; brutal, Proverbs 17:12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. Psalm 22:13 They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul. without love of good, Titus 1:8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. Amos 5:15 Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” Romans 1:31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. Matthew 24:12 Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. Titus 3:3 For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 1 John 3:10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. Treasury of Scripture Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, natural. Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: trucebreakers. 2 Samuel 21:1-3 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites… Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. Ezekiel 17:15-19 But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered? … false accusers. Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? See on 1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; All in Gr. 1 Corinthians 7:5,9 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency… 2 Peter 2:14,19 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: … 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, fierce. Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. Jump to Previous Accusers Affection Bitter Brutal Despisers Destitute Evil False. Fierce Good Goodness Haters Hating Implacable Lovers Malicious Natural Opposed Others Passions Profligates Savage Self-Control Slanderers Uncontrolled Unforgiving Unloving ViolentJump to Next Accusers Affection Bitter Brutal Despisers Destitute Evil False. Fierce Good Goodness Haters Hating Implacable Lovers Malicious Natural Opposed Others Passions Profligates Savage Self-Control Slanderers Uncontrolled Unforgiving Unloving Violent2 Timothy 3 1. Paul advises Timothy of the difficult times to come;6. describes the enemies of the truth; 10. explains unto him his own example; 16. and commends the holy Scriptures; unloving, “Unloving” describes the collapse of natural affection, especially the loyalty and care expected within families. Such coldness reveals a society in which even the closest human bonds are treated as disposable. Rom 1:31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. unforgiving, “Unforgiving” portrays people who refuse reconciliation and remain hardened in resentment. They reject peace because pride, anger, or self-interest governs their relationships. Mat 18:21-35 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord,… slanderous, “Slanderous” describes people who harm others through false accusations, malicious reports, and destructive speech. Their words create suspicion and division rather than promoting truth and peace. Pro 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips… without self-control, “Without self-control” describes those whose appetites, tempers, and impulses rule their lives. Rather than governing their desires, they are governed by them. Pro 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down… brutal, “Brutal” describes a cruel, savage disposition that lacks compassion. Such people use their strength, words, or influence to harm rather than protect. Pro 17:12 It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs… without love of good, “Without love of good” describes hostility toward what is upright, honorable, and pleasing to God. Moral goodness is despised or treated as weakness, while evil is embraced. Tit 1:8 Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good,… Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and warnings about the challenges of the last days. 2. Timothy A young pastor and protégé of Paul, recipient of the letter, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus. 3. Ephesus The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and challenges to Christian living. 4. The Last Days A period described by Paul characterized by moral decay and spiritual challenges, relevant to both Timothy's time and the present. 5. The Church The body of believers who are called to live counter-culturally in the midst of societal decline. Teaching Points Understanding the TimesRecognize that the characteristics listed by Paul are signs of the times and should prompt believers to be vigilant and discerning. Cultivating Love and Forgiveness As followers of Christ, we are called to be loving and forgiving, countering the unloving and unforgiving nature of the world. Guarding Our Speech Avoid slander and speak truth in love, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. Practicing Self-Control Develop self-control through the Holy Spirit, resisting the temptation to act brutally or without regard for goodness. Valuing Goodness Embrace and promote what is good, standing firm against the cultural tide that dismisses or distorts moral values. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 3:3?2. How can we avoid being "unloving" in our daily interactions with others? 3. What does "without self-control" mean in today's context, and how can we combat it? 4. How does 2 Timothy 3:3 relate to the fruit of the Spirit? 5. In what ways can we guard against becoming "brutal" in our relationships? 6. How can we cultivate love and self-control in a "treacherous" world? 7. How does 2 Timothy 3:3 reflect the moral decline in today's society? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of 2 Timothy 3:3? 9. How does 2 Timothy 3:3 challenge modern Christian behavior and values? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 3? (3) Without natural affection.--Careless and regardless of the welfare of those connected with them by ties of blood. Trucebreakers.--Better rendered, implacable. False-accusers.--Or, slanderers. (See 1Timothy 3:11.) Incontinent.--Having no control over the passions. Fierce.--Inhuman, savage, or merciless. Despisers of those that are good.--Better rendered, no lovers of good--that is, hostile to every good thought and work. Verse 3. - Implacable for truce breakers, A.V.; slanderers for false accusers, A.V.; without self-control for incontinent, A.V.; no lovers of good for despisers of those that are good, A.V. Without natural affection (ἄστοργοι); as in Romans 1:31, where in the T.R. it is coupled with ἄσπονδοι, as here. The verb στέργω is "to love," used primarily of the natural affection of parents to their children and children to their parents. And στοργή is that natural love. These persons were without this στοργή, of which Plato says, "A child loves his parents, and is loved by them;" and so, according to St. Paul's judgment in 1 Timothy 5:8, were "worse than infidels." Implacable (ἄσπονδοι); only here according to the R.T., not at all in the LXX., but frequent in classical Greek. Σπονδή was a solemn truce made over a libation to the gods. 'Ασπονδος at first merely expresses that anything was done, or any person was left, without such a truce. But, in a secondary sense, applied to a war, it meant an internecine war admitting of no truce; and thence, as here, applied to a person, it means "implacable," one who will make no truce or treaty with his enemy. The sense "truce breakers" is not justified by any example. Slanderers (διάβολοι); as 1 Timothy 3:11 and Titus 2:3. The arch-slanderer is ὁ διάβολος, the devil, "the accuser of the brethren (ὁ κατήγορυς τῶν ἀδελφῶν)" (Revelation 12:10; see John 6:70). Without self-control (ἀκρατεῖς); here only in the New Testament, not in the LXX. but frequent in classical Greek, in the sense of intemperate in the pursuit or use of anything, e.g., money, the tongue, pleasure, the appetite, etc., which are put in the genitive case. Used absolutely it means generally "without self-control, as here rendered in the R.V. The A.V. "incontinent" (comp. 1 Corinthians 7:5) expresses only one part of the meaning (see ἀκρασία, Matthew 23:25). Fierce (from ferns, wild, savage); ἀνήμεροι; only here in the New Testament, and not found in the LXX., but frequent in the Greek tragedians and others, of persons, countries, plants, etc.; e.g., "Beware of the Chalubes, for they are savage (ἀνήμεροι), and cannot be approached by strangers" (AEschylus, 'Prom. Vinct.,' 734, edit. Scholef.). It corresponds with ἀνελεήμονες, unmerciful (Romans 1:31). No lovers of good (ἀφιλάγαθοι); only here in the New Testament, and not at all in the LXX. or in classical Greek. But φιλάγαθος is found in Wisd. 7:22, and in Aristotle, in the sense of "lovers of that which is good;" and in Titus 1:8. The R.V. seems therefore to be right in rendering here "no lovers of good," rather than as the A.V. "despisers of those which are good," after the Vulgate and the new version of Sanctes Pagninus. 2 Timothy 3:3 paints a sober portrait of the last days: hearts emptied of love, relationships fractured by unforgiveness, tongues weaponized by slander, passions unleashed without restraint, conduct marked by cruelty, and consciences that no longer cherish what is good. Yet every dark trait is a call for believers to shine brighter—to love deeply, forgive quickly, speak graciously, exercise Spirit-powered self-control, choose gentleness, and delight in all that God declares good.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek unloving,ἄστοργοι (astorgoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 794: Unloving, devoid of affection. Hard-hearted towards kindred. unforgiving, ἄσπονδοι (aspondoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 786: Implacable, not to be bound by truce. Literally, without libation, i.e. truceless. slanderous, διάβολοι (diaboloi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1228: From diaballo; a traducer; specially, Satan. without self-control, ἀκρατεῖς (akrateis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 193: Lacking self-control, powerless, inclined to excess. Powerless, i.e. Without self-control. brutal, ἀνήμεροι (anēmeroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 434: Not tame, fierce, savage. Savage. without love of good, ἀφιλάγαθοι (aphilagathoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 865: Not loving that which is good. Hostile to virtue. Additonal Resources 2 Timothy 3:3 Blue Letter Bible2 Timothy 3:3 Bible Gateway 2 Timothy 3:3 Bible.com 2 Timothy 3:3 NIV |
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