Bible Strands
2 Timothy 3:4
traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy near the end of his life, warning him about the moral decay that will characterize the last days.
The words — The Greek προδόται (prodotai) translates directly to treacherous, and φιλήδονοι (philēdonoi) means lovers of pleasure.
The thread — The passage parallels Philippians 3:18, which describes many living as enemies of the cross of Christ, and 1 Timothy 3:6, which warns that conceit can lead to the devil's condemnation.
Why it lands — The text states that some prioritize personal comfort over devotion to God, requiring readers to identify and distance themselves from those who maintain only an outward appearance of faith.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:18 For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
- 1 Timothy 3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.
- Jude 1:4 For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 2:10 Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings.
- Jude 1:8 Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings.
- Romans 16:18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
- Jude 1:19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit.
- Romans 11:20 That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
- 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.