Paul introduces his list of ungodly qualities with the words “for men will be . . .” The term “men” should be understood to mean “people,” since both men and women display such qualities. However, these are not qualities exhibited by all people. Christians have far different traits.​—Read Malachi 3:18.

 4. How would you describe those who are puffed up with pride?

⁴ After stating that many would be lovers of themselves and of money, Paul wrote that people would also be boastful, haughty, and puffed up with pride, traits that often reflect a feeling of superiority because of one’s abilities, appearance, wealth, or rank. People with such traits crave to be admired and adored. One scholar wrote the following about the person who has an all-consuming pride: “In his heart there is a little altar where he bows down before himself.” Some have said that inordinate pride is so distasteful that even the proud dislike it in others.

 8. (a) How is disobedience to parents viewed by some today? (b) What do the Scriptures admonish children to do?

⁸ Paul described how people living in the last days would relate to one another. He wrote that in the last days, children would be disobedient to parents. While such behavior is sometimes accepted and even encouraged in books, movies, and television programs today, disobedience undermines the stability of the most important social unit in society​—the family. This principle has long been understood. Interestingly, in ancient Greece, if a man struck his parents, he would lose all his civil rights; in Roman law, to strike a father was as serious as murder. Both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Greek Scriptures admonish children to honor their parents.​—Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3.

10, 11. (a) What negative qualities show that people lack love for one another? (b) To what extent do true Christians love their fellow man?

¹⁰ Paul lists other negative qualities that show that people lack love for one another. Fittingly, unthankful follows “disobedient to parents” because it describes the attitude of those who lack appreciation for the kindnesses shown to them by others. People would also be disloyal.

They would be blasphemers and betrayers, directing abusive, injurious speech against humans and even against God.