“For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths”(2 Timothy 4:3-4 MKJV).
“Some people have an endless fascination with everything but the truth.” (1)
We should note two important aspects regarding those who “…will not endure sound doctrine” (NKJV) from this passage: they will turn from sound teaching and be turned from it as well. While this may seem to be an insignificant difference, one Biblical scholar explains that there is more to this distinction than it may seem…
“The words ‘turn away’ (apostrepho), carry the idea of ‘averting.’ That is, those who follow these heretics, not only turn away their ears from the truth, but see to it that their ears are always in such a position that they will never come in contact with the truth. Notice the active voice of the verb ‘turn away,’ and the passive voice of the verb ‘shall be turned.’ The first named action is performed by the people themselves, while in the case of the second one, they are acted upon by an outside force.
…When people avert their ears from the truth, they lay themselves open to every Satanic influence, and are easily turned aside to error. …Like a dislocated arm which has no freedom of action, they have given themselves over to a delusion which incapacitates them for any independent thinking along religious lines which they might do for themselves.” (2)
So much like a radio with an antenna that can be turned to receive broadcasts from one direction instead of another, this passage describes those who willingly turn from sound Biblical doctrine in favor of something else they’d rather hear. Thus, in the words of another source, “He who despises sound teaching, leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves.” (3)
Unfortunately, the fact that some elect to “…turn their ears away from the truth” (NKJV) does not serve to invalidate the truth. One Pastoral commentator gets to the heart of this matter in a very direct and forthright manner: “They will do this because truth requires the admission of human weakness, which people do not like to admit; the restraint of passions, which they do not like to do; and submission to the authority of God and other authorities under him, which they dislike and reject.” (4)
(1) Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2174). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.
(2) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [note on 2 Timothy 4:3-4] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(3) Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. “Commentary on 2 Timothy 4:3”. “Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/2-timothy-4.html
(4) Excerpted with permission from The Majesty of Ministry © 1982 by Ray Stedman Ministries. All rights reserved. Visit www.RayStedman.org for the complete library of Ray Stedman material. Please direct any questions to [email protected] https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/timothy/the-majesty-of-ministry