Note 3 at 2 Tim. 3:2: In verses 2-5 Paul mentions 19 negative features that will characterize mankind in the last days. Any casual reading of a single day's newspaper will produce the same list. This is as up to date as any news broadcast.

Note 4 at 2 Tim. 3:2: MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES. This is not only accepted in today's society, it is promoted. A love of self is often advanced from our pulpits. There is a kernel of truth in this, but it has certainly been blown out of proportion. Without the counter balance of self-denial, we have produced a generation of people who promote self at the expense of everyone else. Millions of people today wouldn't lay down their lives for anyone or anything, because in truth, they don't love anything as much as they love themselves. That is not what the Lord intended.

It is interesting to note that Paul listed the love of self first in this list of ungodly traits that will characterize people in the last days. This is not only the most offensive sin to God, but it is also the root of all the other things Paul mentions.

Note 5 at 2 Tim. 3:2: COVETOUS: The Greek word "PHILARGUROS," which was translated "covetous" here, conveys the idea of loving money and an extreme desire for wealth. Those who are covetous are marked by an extreme desire to acquire or have the possessions of others. The Amplified Bible translates this as, "lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate (greedy) desire for wealth." The word we commonly use to describe this today is materialism. People in developed countries tend to be very materialistic or covetous.

Covetousness is rooted in self-love (see ref. d? at this v.).

Note 6 at 2 Tim. 3:2: BOASTERS: The Amplified Bible renders this, "proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters." A "boaster" is an empty pretender, who speaks with excessive pride. It is a person that brags of his own accomplishments, talents, possessions, and so forth. Boasting is rooted in self-love (see note 4 at this v.). A humble person will boast in the Lord (Ps. 34:2).

Note 7 at 2 Tim. 3:2: PROUD: Pride was the root sin of Satan (see note 4 at Mt. 4:9, p. 77). In the end-times when the devil gains more control over the hearts of men, pride will be the inevitable result.

Pride is not only the showing of one's self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others or pre-eminent; it can also be manifested in timidness and shyness. In its simplest terms, pride is self-centeredness. It doesn't matter if self is centered on how important it thinks it is or how unworthy it thinks it is. It is like two opposite ends of the same stick (see ref. g? at this v.).

Note 8 at 2 Tim. 3:2: BLASPHEMERS: The word "blaspheme" means "to speak evil of; defame; slander; or revile." Of course, this includes those who blaspheme God, but it could also include those who defame, or slander other people. This has become commonplace in our society with some people making big bucks off their gossip about other people.

Once again, blasphemers are people who love themselves more than they should (see note 4 at this v.). If they loved God or others more than themselves, they wouldn't blaspheme them.

Note 9 at 2 Tim. 3:2: DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS: As with each of the things Paul lists in these verses, there have always been people in every age that possess these characteristics, but certainly few would argue that disobedience to parents is more prevalent and violent today than in the past. This is more evidence that we are in the last of the last days (see note 1 at v. 1).

Note 10 at 2 Tim. 3:2: UNTHANKFUL: Many people view thankfulness as optional, but the Lord lists unthankfulness along with all the other ungodly characteristics. Being unthankful is one of the steps towards becoming reprobate (Rom. 1:21-28). Unthankfulness is a dominate characteristic of our age.

Being thankful can be the difference between being healed and being whole (see note 4 at Lk. 17:18, p. 373). In Luke 6:35, unthankfulness is compared to being evil. In Romans 1:21, unthankfulness is one of the progressive steps away from God and towards being reprobate (see note 1 at Rom. 1:21, p. 745).

Note 11 at 2 Tim. 3:2: UNHOLY: The Greek word "ANOSIOS" which was translated "unholy" in this verse means, "wicked." The Amplified Bible adds "profane" to its translation. The English word "unholy" literally means "not holy."