Question--> in II Tim 4

[Bob H]

V.3--"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine"


I'm doing a personal Study in Ch. 4 of II Tim. What is your {anybody here} opinion on who the "they" are in V.3? I sorta lean to what MacArther & Hiebert say to name a few. But could true believers be included in their number?

 

[Ransom]

The context suggests that "they" are professing Christians.

Paul charges Timothy to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2), which suggests not merely evangelism, but doctrinal teaching.

Also, they will not "endure sound teaching" but instead will "accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (3-4).  They are already in a context where they are being taught by qualified teachers.

 

[Mitex]

V.3--"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine"


I'm doing a personal Study in Ch. 4 of II Tim. What is your {anybody here} opinion on who the "they" are in V.3? I sorta lean to what MacArther & Hiebert say to name a few. But could true believers be included in their number?

2Timothy 3:12 - 4:5
12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
1 ¶  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Personally, I think it goes back to evil men and seducers.