• 2 Timothy 4:3
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 3 ἔσται Will be γὰρ for καιρὸς appointed time ὅτε when τῆς of the ὑγιαινούσης (one) being healthful διδασκαλίας teaching οὐκ not ἀνέξονται, they will hold selves up, ἀλλὰ but κατὰ according to τὰς the ἰδίας own ἐπιθυμίας desires ἑαυτοῖς to themselves ἐπισωρεύσουσιν they will heap upon διδασκάλους teachers κνηθόμενοι being tickled τὴν the ἀκοήν, hearing,

  • 2 Timothy 4:3
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 3 For there will be a season—When the healthful teaching they will not endure, But according to their own covetings will unto themselves heap up teachers Because they have an itching ear,

  • 2 Timothy 4:3
    King James Version

    • 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;

  • 2 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 4
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 4:3

      wholesome: Or “healthful; beneficial.”​—See study note on 1Ti 6:3.

      to have their ears tickled: Or “to tell them what they want to hear.” In this vivid metaphor, Paul uses a Greek verb that can mean “to tickle; to scratch” but also “to feel an itching.” It occurs only here in the Christian Greek Scriptures. The word picture apparently conveys the idea of people who feel a yearning​—which some translations liken to an itch​—to hear what satisfies their selfish desires rather than what would help them to stay healthy in the faith. So they select teachers who tickle their ears, so to speak, by telling them what they want to hear. Because of the foretold apostasy, there would be an abundance of such self-serving disciples and false teachers; so Timothy’s work is urgent.​—See study note on 1Ti 4:1.