SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:3
Porque vendr tiempo cuando no sufrirn la sana doctrina; antes, teniendo las orejas sarnosas, se amontonarn maestros que les hablan conforme a sus concupiscencias,
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 4:3
Verse 3. For the time will come] There is a time coming to the Church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Gospel, when they will prefer speculative opinions, which either do no good to the soul, or corrupt and destroy it, to that wholesome doctrine of "deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me," which Jesus Christ has left in his Church. But after their own lusts] For these they will follow, and hate those preachers and that doctrine by which they are opposed.
Shall they heap to themselves teachers] They will add one teacher to another, run and gad about after all, to find out those who insist not on the necessity of bearing the cross, of being crucified to the world, and of having the mind that was in Jesus. In this disposition interested men often find their account; they set up for teachers, "and widen and strew with flowers the way, down to eternal ruin," taking care to soothe the passions and flatter the vices of a trifling, superficial people.
Having itching ears] Endless curiosity, an insatiable desire of variety; and they get their ears tickled with the language and accent of the person, abandoning the good and faithful preacher for the fine speaker.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. For the time will come , etc.] This is a reason of the solemn charge above given: the time referred to was future, when the apostle wrote, but quickly came on; and the characters of it have appeared more or less in all ages since; and in none more than in ours: when they will not endure sound doctrine ; the Gospel which contains the wholesome words of Christ, and is sound itself, having no corruption in it, and salutary in its effects to the souls of men; and yet such is the depravity of some men, both in principles and practice, that they cannot receive it, nor bear to hear it, turn their backs on it, express their indignation at it, and treat it not only with neglect, but with ridicule and contempt: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers ; not being content with the ministry of one man only, or of a few, though of their own sort; but must follow many, and have heaps of them; which seems to express not only the number of false teachers which they accumulate to themselves, but the confused and indiscreet choice they make of them; and that after their own lusts; choosing to hear such as either indulge them in their sinful lusts and pleasures; or are agreeable to their private corrupt sentiments, in opposition to the generally received doctrine of faith. It is a blessing to have pastors and teachers after God's heart, and who preach according to the word of God; these feed men with knowledge and understanding, ( Jeremiah 3:15) but it is a curse upon a people, when they are left to choose teachers after their hearts' lusts: having itching ears ; always desirous of new things, as the Athenians of old; or loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works, and the like; (see Isaiah 30:9,10). Now, this being the case, should not discourage, but rather animate the ministers of the Gospel to preach it; for should they desist, in all likelihood the Gospel would soon be gone.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plai gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which in searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be eve watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pur gospel.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ απο 575 PREP μεν 3303 PRT της 3588 T-GSF αληθειας 225 N-GSF την 3588 T-ASF ακοην 189 N-ASF αποστρεψουσιν 654 5692 V-FAI-3P επι 1909 PREP δε 1161 CONJ τους 3588 T-APM μυθους 3454 N-APM εκτραπησονται 1624 5691 V-2FPI-3P
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:3 {A time when} (kairos hote). One of the akairws (out of season) times. {Will not endure} (ouk anexontai). Future middle (direct) of anecw. "Will not hold themselves back from" (Col. #3:13). Having itching ears (kneqomenoi ten akoen). Present middle (causative) participle of kneqw, late and rare form of the Attic knaw, to scratch, to tickle, here only in N.T. "Getting the ears (the hearing, tn akon) tickled." The Vulgate has prurientes. Cf. the Athenians (#Ac 17:21). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling (kneqontes) the ears of those who want to be tickled. this is the temptation of the merely "popular" preacher, to furnish the latest tickle.
