Lovers of Their Own Selves 2 Timothy 3:2

As Paul the apostle continued his final exhortation to Timothy concerning the church in Ephesus, he told him, “in the last days perilous times shall come”, and in chapter three and verse two of this letter, Paul shares some of the characteristics of those who live in the last days where we read:

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,

proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

The verse begins, “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,...” Paul began this verse with the word, “For” which in this case means “because, since, seeing that, indeed, no doubt and verily” “men” which refers to “human beings whether male or female” “shall be” or “will be, what will follow, in the future and what will come to pass” “lovers of their own selves” which is one Greek word “philautos” and means “loving one's self, intent upon self or selfish”. Not only will they be selfish, but Paul includes, “covetous” which is the Greek word “philargyros” or “loving money and avarice”, and they also will be “boasters” which means “an empty pretender”.

The verse continues, “...proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” Paul began his list of the characteristics of those in the “last days” and continued with, “proud” or “showing one's self above others, overtopping, conspicuous over others, pre-eminent with an overweening estimate of one's means or merits while despising others or even treating them with contempt and haughtiness”. Paul added, “blasphemers” which is “speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing and abusive” “disobedient” or “impersuadible, not compliant, contumacious and insubordinate” “to parents” who are “fathers and mothers”, “unthankful” which means “ungrateful, thankless, unpleasing and ungracious”, as well as “unholy” or “impious and wicked”. So far Paul's list of those in the last days leaves much to be desired in the way of character.

While we think about these traits found within “the last days”, we may easily discover they are abundantly demonstrated today. Have we ever seen such a day when people are obsessed with themselves? “Selfies” are the new norm, and there is even a magazine named “SELF”. Have we ever known a day when “covetousness” and greed was so abundant, and “boasting”, “pride”, “disobedience to parents and authorities”, ingrates and wickedness flourished as it does right now? Paul wrote these words almost two thousand years ago, and he described people in our world today. Could we actually be “in the last days”, and are these simply signs that the return of our Lord Jesus is very soon? As Paul continues his list in the next few verses, let us meditate upon this, and may the Heavenly Father keep us watching and waiting for His return as we see these characteristics exhibited more and more.

Next time Paul shares more characteristics of people in the last days, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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