3:4

betrayers: The same Greek noun is used to describe Judas Iscariot at Lu 6:16, where it is rendered “traitor.”​—See also Ac 7:52.

headstrong: Paul uses a Greek word that literally means “falling forward.” It describes the way that people may willfully forge ahead in their course, ignoring the advice of others despite knowing that bad consequences are likely to result. The same Greek word may also be rendered “reckless.” According to one reference work, those who are headstrong or reckless “throw caution to the winds, no matter what disaster or punishment they may bring upon their fellow citizens.” Another reference work notes: “A man who is reckless stops at nothing to gain his ends.” The only other occurrence of this word in the Christian Greek Scriptures is at Ac 19:36, where the city recorder of Ephesus warned the angry crowds not to “act rashly.”

puffed up with pride: The Greek verb used here (ty·phoʹo·mai) is related to the word for “smoke.” It could be used of one who was enveloped in and even blinded by smoke. This term occurs three times in the Christian Greek Scriptures, always in a figurative sense and apparently describing one who is blinded by pride. (1Ti 3:6; 6:4; 2Ti 3:4) Some translations render it “conceited” or “swollen with self-importance.” One reference work says that the word describes people “who are full of themselves.” Jewish writer Josephus used the term to describe some Greek authors who looked down on the Jews and slandered them.

lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God: Paul here says, not that people would love pleasures more than they love God, but that they would love pleasures instead of loving God. The Bible does not teach that all pleasures are wrong, but it does contain warnings about pursuing them rather than building a friendship with God.​—Compare Lu 12:19-21; 1Jo 2:15.