2 Timothy 4:3

sound doctrine The sound doctrine as in 1 Timothy 1:10, where see note.

but after their own lusts Vulg. -ad sua desideria," in opposition to the healthful doctrine. Compare the same phrase in the singular, James 1:14, -Each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed." R.V. still retains -lusts"; this word in the age of the A.V. had also the wider sense of -strong desire" not being restricted as now to one passion only. -Lust" in Psalms 92:10, Pr. Bk., is -desire" in A.V. and R.V. But the word here denotes a corrupt willleading both to corrupt doctrine and corrupt life. See note on 2 Timothy 3:6. Trench, N.T. Syn. § 87, quotes Cicero's definition of the word here rendered -lust"; -immoderata appetitio opinati magni boni rationi non obtemperans," Tusc. Quæst. iii. 11. It is sometimes -concupiscence" Romans 7:8; very rarely in a good sense -desire," Philippians 1:23.

shall they heap to themselves A compound form of the verb used in ch. 2 Timothy 3:6 for -laden."

having itching ears An ambiguous rendering in A.V.; but the original is clear, the nominative case shewing that it is the pupils not the teachers who have the itching ears. R.V. corrects this by transposing the clause to the commencement of the sentence; but this gives up the close proximity of the two words for -ears"; because they have itching ears should be the rendering. The participle is middle, lit. -scratching themselves," as Arist. H. A. ix. 1, 18. Out of a prurient longing for novelty and excitement, -instead of receiving those Teachers who are authorized by Christ to instruct them and have a regular call and mission from Him to execute their sacred office, and preach by the Rule of Faith, they will stray away from their Pastors and from their own proper Fold and will raise up for themselves a confused heap of Teachers." Wordsworth.