2 Timothy 4:3
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;
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑγιαινούσης
sound
G5198
ὑγιαινούσης
sound
Strong's:
G5198
Word #:
6 of 21
to have sound health, i.e., be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine)
ἀνέξονται
endure
G430
ἀνέξονται
endure
Strong's:
G430
Word #:
9 of 21
to hold oneself up against, i.e., (figuratively) put up with
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
κατὰ
after
G2596
κατὰ
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
11 of 21
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὰς
G3588
τὰς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίας
their own
G2398
ἰδίας
their own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
15 of 21
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
ἑαυτοῖς
to themselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
to themselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
16 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἐπισωρεύσουσιν
shall they heap
G2002
ἐπισωρεύσουσιν
shall they heap
Strong's:
G2002
Word #:
17 of 21
to accumulate further, i.e., (figuratively) seek additionally
κνηθόμενοι
having itching
G2833
κνηθόμενοι
having itching
Strong's:
G2833
Word #:
19 of 21
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to tickle
Cross References
Galatians 4:16Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?1 Timothy 1:10For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Luke 6:26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.Micah 2:11If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.1 Kings 18:22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men.Isaiah 28:12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.Acts 17:21(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.1 Corinthians 2:1And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
Historical Context
Ancient sophists earned living by telling wealthy patrons what they wanted to hear, flattering rather than challenging. Some itinerant philosophers sold eloquent but empty speeches. Paul warns that churches will replicate this pattern: hiring preachers who affirm rather than confront, entertain rather than convict. History validates the prophecy: every era sees churches abandoning sound doctrine for culturally accommodated messages. Contemporary seeker-sensitivity, prosperity gospel, and therapeutic Christianity fulfill Paul's warning—heaping up teachers who tickle ears rather than proclaim truth.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you evaluate preaching and teaching by whether it tickles your ears or faithfully expounds Scripture, even when uncomfortable?
- In what areas might you be seeking teachers who affirm your preferences rather than submitting to sound doctrine that corrects you?
- How can churches resist the consumer mentality that shops for affirming messages and instead pursue faithful biblical exposition?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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. Paul explains why faithful preaching is urgent. "For the time will come" (estai gar kairos, ἔσται γὰρ καιρός)—future tense prophesies coming apostasy. "When they will not endure sound doctrine" (hote tēs hygiainousēs didaskalias ouk anexontai, ὅτε τῆς ὑγιαινούσης διδασκαλίας οὐκ ἀνέξονται). Anechomai (ἀνέχομαι) means endure, tolerate, put up with. Hygiainō (ὑγιαίνω) means be healthy, sound—the same word used in verse 3:16's context. They won't tolerate healthy teaching that convicts sin and demands holiness.
Instead, "after their own lusts" (kata tas idias epithymias, κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας)—according to their own desires, lusts, cravings. They want teaching that accommodates rather than confronts sinful desires. The result: "they shall heap to themselves teachers" (heautois episōreusousin didaskalous, ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισωρεύσουσιν διδασκάλους). Episōreuō (ἐπισωρεύω) means pile up, accumulate in quantity. They'll amass numerous teachers who tell them what they want to hear, shopping for affirming voices rather than truth.
These teachers cater to "itching ears" (knēthomenoi tēn akoēn, κνηθόμενοι τὴν ἀκοήν). Knēthō (κνήθω) means itch, tickle—ears that want pleasant scratching, not corrective surgery. This describes consumer Christianity: treating church like religious marketplace where shoppers select teachers providing desired product (affirmation, entertainment, prosperity promises) rather than submitting to authoritative Scripture that reproves and corrects.