2 Timothy 4:4

4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

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2 Timothy 4:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

English Standard Version (ESV)

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

New Living Translation (NLT)

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

The Message Bible (MSG)

4 They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.

American Standard Version (ASV)

4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.

GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)

4 People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

4 They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

4 The people will turn their ears away from the truth. They will turn to stories that aren't completely true.

2 Timothy 4:4 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 4:4

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth
The solid truths of the Gospel, not being able to bear the hearing of them:

and shall be turned unto fables;
things idle, trifling, useless, and, unprofitable; and which are no better than old wives' fables; some respect may be had either to Jewish fables, or to the miraculous mythologies of the Gentiles, or of the Gnostics, and others: but in general, it includes everything that is vain, empty, and senseless; and this is to be considered as a just judgment upon them; that since they like not to retain the knowledge of the truth, but turn away their ears from it, God gives them up to a reprobate mind, a mind void of sense and judgment, to attend to things idle and fabulous.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

2 Timothy 4:4 In-Context

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near.

Cross References 1

1. S 1 Timothy 1:4