2 Timothy 3:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Timothy 3:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;
2 Timothy 3:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Timothy 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Traitors, etc.] To their princes and sovereigns, whose deaths they have contrived and compassed, and whom they have assassinated and murdered; and have been betrayers of the secrets of persons, which they have come at by auricular confession to them; and of their best and nearest friends, to preserve and secure themselves. Heady; rash, daring, bold, and impudent, fit to say and do any thing, though ever so vile and wicked. High, minded; puffed and swelled up with a vain conceit of themselves, and speaking great swelling words of vanity; lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God; lovers of sinful pleasures, or the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season, and not God; serving divers…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“heady--precipitate in action and in passion. high-minded--literally, "puffed up" with pride, as with smoke blinding them. lovers of pleasure . . . God--Love of pleasure destroys the love and sense of God.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Traitors - This word is used in the New Testament only here and in Luke 6:16; Acts 7:52. It means any one who betrays - whether it be a friend or his country. Treason has been in all ages regarded as one of the worst crimes that man can commit. Heady - The same word in Acts 19:36, is rendered rashly. It occurs only there and in this place in the New Testament. It properly means “falling forwards; prone, inclined, ready to do anything; then precipitate, headlong, rash.” It is opposed to that which is deliberate and calm, and here means that men would be ready to do anything without deliberation, or concern for the consequences. They would engage in enterprises which would only disturb…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lovers of sensual pleasure - Which naturally extinguishes all love and sense of God. 2 Timothy 3:5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Traitors: Pe2 2:10-22; Jde 1:8, Jde 1:9 highminded: Rom 11:20; Ti1 6:17 lovers of God: Rom 16:18; Phi 3:18, Phi 3:19; Ti1 5:6; Pe2 2:13, Pe2 2:15; Jde 1:4, Jde 1:19 2 Timothy 3:5”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification