“People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4 GNB).
The next “last days” characteristic given to us in the passage quoted above is pride (NKJV), arrogance (AMP), or abusiveness (ESV).
Depending on the context, the word “pride” is often associated with a gratifying sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that accompanies a job well done. However, the destructive form of pride referenced here involves those who possess an inflated self-opinion and look down upon others with contempt. In the words of one Biblical scholar, “This describes someone who thinks he/she is superior and expresses it in words and deeds (cf. Luke 1:51; Rom. 1:30; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5).” (1)
The Scriptures repeatedly condemn this type of attitude. For instance, Proverbs 25:27 tells us: “Just as it is harmful to eat too much honey, so also it is bad for men to think about all the honors they deserve!” (TLB). The Bible denounces this sort of thought-process because it reflects the negative type of pride mentioned in here 2 Timothy 3:2 . In addition to what we read in Proverbs 25:27, the Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs have more to say about this characteristic…
“Pride causes arguments, but those who listen to others are wise” (Proverbs 13:10 ERV).
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5 NKJV).
“I will not tolerate anyone who secretly slanders his neighbors; I will not permit conceit and pride” (Psalms 101:5 TLB).
This type of pride also appears in a Biblical list of seven things the Lord hates…
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV).
In light of these things, we should prayerfully seek to avoid this mindset.
This characteristic is followed by “blasphemers” (NKJV). While we typically associate blasphemy with an expression of contempt or disrespect for God, this passage references a form of the word blasphemy that involves speaking in an evil, reproachful, or abusive manner. (2) We’ll consider this quality in greater detail when we examine the word “slander” that appears later in this list of negative characteristics.
(1) Dr. Bob Utley, www.freebiblecommentary.org 2 Timothy 3:2 http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL09/VOL09_13.html
(2) G989 blasphemos https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g989/kjv/tr/0-1/