FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN: estai (3SFMI) gar kairos hote: (2 Ti 3:1-6; 1Ti 4:1, 4:2 4:3)

For explains the reason for the solemn charge and the urgent command especially in view of Paul's soon coming departure (4:6).

Time (2540) (kairos) is the root word for "in season...out of season" (2Ti 4:2 ) and "(difficult) times" (2Ti 3:1). Click here for in depth word study of kairos.

Note that kairos is not merely a succession of minutes as in the word chronos G5550 (chronological referring to clock or calendar time), but instead refers to a season, a decisive epoch, an era or a fixed, definitive period of time when events are brought to a crisis. Kairos refers to those strategic times in the calendar of God during which events come to a culmination and ripen to usher in a new age. Therefore kairos can refer to a period of opportunity and when the period of time passes so does the opportunity.

Trench defines kairos as

a critical, epoch-making period foreordained of God when all that has been slowly, and often without observation, ripening through long ages, is mature and comes to the birth in grand decisive events, which constitute at once the close of one period and the commencement of another.

So there will come a "season" or specific period of time which is characterized by those inside (not outside) the professing "church" who will not tolerate wholesome, life giving teaching. Throughout church history there have been seasons when people did not want to hear God's Word. Just turn on your television and you'll see that "the time" before your very eyes but be ready to be appalled and saddened! 

Jeremiah saw a similar season writing

An appalling and horrible thing Has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and My people love it so! But what will you do at the end of it? (Jer5:30 31)

Since there is no good English equivalent to kairos, the essence of it's meaning can be somewhat difficult to grasp. Study the following verses and see if you can discern the "window of opportunity" aspect in each verse to help give you a "feel" for the meaning of kairos (Mt 13:30, 21:34, Mk11:13,13:33, Lu 4:13,19:44, Lu 21:24, Ac 1:7, 17:26, 2Co 6:2, Ga 6:9, Eph 2:12, 2Th 2:6, Rev 1:3). (Click here for Vine's discussion of kairos)

These men and women are "professing" believers who are like "professing Israel" whom Isaiah described as

"a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD" and who say "Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel." (Isa33:9; 11) 

They are like those Paul described as

"holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power" (3:5) In a similar prophecy Paul wrote that "the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons" (1Ti4:1)which correspond to the "unsound" doctrine and ear tickling myths described in this section.

THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND  DOCTRINE: ouk anexontai: (3PFMI) tes hugiainouses (PAPFSG) didaskalias: (1Ki 22:8;18 2Chr 16:9;10 24:20;21 22 25:15;16 Isa 28:12; 33:9;10 11 Jer 6:16;17 18:18; Am 7:10-17; Lu 20:19; Jn 8:45; Gal 4:16 contrast Heb 13:22, cf God's warning to Isaiah Isa 6:8 6:9 6:10, Septuagint of Job 6:26)

"will not put up with" (NIV)
"will not listen to accurate teachings" (GWT)
"they will not endure our wholesome doctrine in that they will hold themselves firmly against it" (Wuest)
"will no longer listen to right teaching" (NLT)
"will not tolerate wholesome instruction" (Berkley).

Endure (430) (anechomai from aná = in, up + echomai, the middle voice of echo = to have, to hold)  means literally to hold one’s self erect, upright and firm against a person or thing. Thus anechomai means to put up with, to bear with (equanimity or evenness of mind especially under stress), to tolerate, to forbear, to be patient with.

The idea is enduring discomfort or holding out in spite of persecution, threats, injury, indifference, or complaints and not retaliate (esp 1 Cor 4:12). It conveys the sense of putting up with others, exercising self-restraint (for believers only possible empowered by the Spirit) and tolerance.

Eadie writes that anechomai indicates giving patience to someone till the provocation is past. To undergo something onerous or troublesome without giving in.

This word was used of listening patiently while others are allowed to speak.

Anechomai refers to holding up under adversity, and can be translated tolerate. It means to hold up or back from falling. In secular Greek use, the related noun form (anoche) was used of a holding back or stopping of hostilities (truce).

Anechomai is the equivalent of our modern phrase "putting up with" so the NIV nicely paraphrases it that "they will not put up with".  It is not the herald (of the gospel) that is at fault, but the hearing of the fickle men who make up the audience!

Anechomai is used 15 times in the NT in the NASB (Mt; Mk; Lu; Acts; 1Co; 2Co; Eph; Col; 2Th; 2Ti; Heb) and is translated: bear, 3; bearing, 2; endure, 3; put, 4; showing tolerance, 1; tolerate, 2. 

Matthew 17:17 And Jesus answered and said, "O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."

Mark 9:19 And He answered them and said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!"

Luke 9:41 And Jesus answered and said, "O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son here."

Acts 18:14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you;

1 Corinthians 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

2 Corinthians 11:1 I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. 11:4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. (Comment: Here Paul uses anechomai ironically. In other words Paul is saying that "you gladly endure these false teachers, why do you not endure me?" Paul is not endorsing their acceptance of heresy, but chiding them for their gullibility and lack of discernment.)

2 Corinthians 11:19 For you, being so wise, bear with the foolish gladly. 20 For you bear with anyone if he enslaves you, if he devours you, if he takes advantage of you, if he exalts himself, if he hits you in the face.

Ephesians 4:2 (note) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

Colossians 3:13 (note) bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.

2 Timothy 4:3 (note) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;

Hebrews 13:22 (note) But I urge you, brethren, bear (listen patiently) with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. (Note: The writer Hebrews knew he had written some difficult to accept "sound doctrine" closed his letter with this exhortation. The KJV actually translates it as "Suffer the word of exhortation"!)

Anechomai is used 11 times in the Septuagint (LXX) (Gen. 45:1; 1Ki. 12:24; Job 6:11, 26; Isa. 1:13; 42:14; 46:4; 63:15; 64:12; Amos 4:7; Hag. 1:10). God says to faithless Israel

"Bring your worthless offerings no longer. Incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure (Lxx = anechomai) iniquity and the solemn assembly."  (Isa 1:13).

Interestingly Jesus used this same word to rebuke His disciples and their weak faith audience asking

"O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with (anechomai) you? Bring him here to Me." (Mat 7:17)

How we all need to hear and heed this warning for mere external religion is ever a cloak to cover iniquity, even in true believers! The conscience may become so seared that a person can practice "religion" while yet living in sin.

Paul uses anechomai in his exhortation to the Colossian saint that in view of the fact that they "have been chosen of God, holy and beloved" they should "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." (Col3:12-13)

MacDonald adds that in this verse anechomai is describing

"the patience we should have with the failings and odd ways of our brethren. In living with others, it is inevitable that we will find out their failures. It often takes the grace of God for us to put up with the idiosyncrasies of others, as it must for them to put up with ours. But we must bear with one another." (MacDonald, W. Believer's Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)

Paul exhorts the saints at Ephesus writing

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance (anechomai) to one another in love (Amplified has "making allowances because you love one another") (Eph 4:1-2).

Paul encourages the saints to make allowance (tolerate, bear, endure) for the faults and failures of others, or differing personalities, abilities, and temperaments. Forbearance is not a question of maintaining a façade of courtesy while inwardly seething with resentment but is a Spirit empowered positive love to those who irritate, disturb, or embarrass. How are you bearing up with the idiosyncrasies of your brethren at church, your spouse, your children, your co-workers, your fellow students, etc? You can't, He can and He lives in you to transform your temperament and attitude to those who irritate you. 

MacArthur notes that

"Professing Christians, nominal believers in the church follow their own desires and flock to preachers who offer them God’s blessings apart from His forgiveness, and His salvation apart from their repentance. They have an itch to be entertained by teachings that will produce pleasant sensations and leave them with good feelings about themselves. Their goal is that men preach “according to their own desires.” Under those conditions, people will dictate what men preach, rather than God dictating it by His Word." He goes on to add (ref) that "Within the large framework of professing Christendom a small remnant of true believers eagerly hear sound teaching. But some of the lost in the professing church support such things as homosexual and feminist causes. There is even a so-called Bible that has removed masculine references to God to avoid offending feminist beliefs. The lost, whether outside or inside the professing church, refuse to hear God's teaching about controversial issues such as the woman's role, homosexuality, or abortion. They won't tolerate strong biblical teaching because it confronts and refutes their errors and calls for their obedience. By adopting the ways of the world, much of the professing church has become corrupt and perverse. Apart from a dramatic change, the pressure will continue to intensify against those who speak the truth." (Bolding added)

This problem is not new as we see in Proverbs "They would not accept My counsel. They spurned all My reproof." (Pr1:30) The weeping prophet Jeremiah knew the painful reality of those claimed to be God's people and yet who would not tolerate God's sound doctrine --

"Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; and you shall find rest for your souls. (cf Mt11:28, 11:29 11:30) But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' And I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen." (Jer6:16 6:17)

Sound (5198)  (1Ti1:10 6:3 2Ti1:13, Titus 1:9,2:1) (hugiaino from hugies = healthy) (Click study of hugiaino)

Our derivative words in English include hygiene or hygienic which define the conditions or practices conducive to good health...ponder that fact in the context of Paul's use in this verse.

Sound doctrine is teaching which continually (because the verb is present tense indicating continuous action) protects and preserves the spiritual life of the one who partakes and which makes the whole man healthy, "equipped for every good work" (2Ti 3:16, 3:17). 

The definite article, "the", in Greek modifies "sound doctrine" which identifies this as not just any teaching but as the specific body of teaching, in context referring to the Holy Scriptures.

You will experience real "holistic health" if you eat the right ''soul food"!

Sound doctrine is a stinging rebuke (censure) to ungodly living and thus is unacceptable and intolerable to those who persist in sin. Those who live contrary to sound doctrine resent and resist sound doctrine.

Doctrine (1319)  (didaskalia) (Click for word study of didaskalía) is the content of that which is taught not so much the method of teaching. Inherent in the definition of didaskalia is the effect in shaping the will of the one who receives the instruction.

Hiebert adds that they will not put up with doctrine that is

healthful, useful, practical teaching" which gives "health and soundness to the spiritual man. They will find the truth so intolerable because its demands are contrary to their own desires. The Word is the touchstone that reveals the their true character.

Is this principle not true in your life? When we are making provision for sin (Ro13:14) or willfully sinning the last thing we want is for our unholy thinking and behavior to be exposed by the light of God's Holy Word.

So why don't they endure sound doctrine? They do not want to hear the truth that if we are all honest, none of us really "enjoys" hearing. We do not enjoy hearing that we are sinful, depraved, dirty, unclean, selfish, immoral, unjust, unworthy, ever failing and always coming up short. How do you feel right now having just read that sentence?! No one enjoys hearing that we can do nothing whatsoever to become acceptable to God. And as anyone who has ever shared the gospel knows all too well, most people do not like hearing that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, the only Mediator, the only way a person can be saved and made acceptable to God. (cf Jn12:48, 2Jn1:9) These things are painful to their ears and so they refuse to tolerate the Gospel, ironically claiming that the message is narrow minded and intolerant of the beliefs of others!

BUT WANTING TO HAVE THEIR EARS TICKLED : alla kata tas idias epithumias heautois knethomenoi (PPPMPN) ten akoen: (Acts 17:19 17:20 17:21 17:22 17:23;1Cor 2:1 2:4  Gal 4:16 Ezek 33:31 32 33)

itching in the hearing (YLT)
to say what their itching ears want to hear (NIV)
who will tell them whatever they want to hear (NLT)
teachers who say the things they want to hear. (ICB)
they have ears which have to be continually titillated with novelties (Barclay)

For there will come a time when men will refuse to listen to sound teaching, but, because they have ears which have to be continually titillated with novelties, they will bury themselves under a mound of teachers, whose teaching suits their own lusts after forbidden things. They will avert their ears from the truth, and they will turn to extravagant tales. As for you, be steady in all things; accept the suffering which will come upon you; do the work of an evangelist; leave no act of your service unfulfilled.

Tickled (2833) (knetho from knao = to scrape) in the active voice means to tickle but in the passive voice (as in this verse) means to be tickled which describes an itching as if someone where tickling you. In this verse knetho is an idiom that means "to itch with respect to hearing" (English expression "itching ears")

Lucian has a secular use writing "he does not even have enough time to scratch his ear".

Knetho is in the present tense which indicates that was happening continually. They continually sought to be "titillated" (to be excited pleasurably or aroused by stimulation). The were continually looking for new information an itch that the false teachers were only to glad to scratch with their empty, deceptive, unsound words!

And so we see they have a desire to hear not what they need to hear but what they want to hear. They are more interested in something different, something sensational, rather than something sobering (truth)! Does this ring any "modern bells"?

These false "believers" are looking for curiosities and interesting and juicy bits of information which temporarily relieves their itching ears. They hear for mere gratification and because the flesh is never satisfied they run from one teacher to another, unsettled and restless, like the

weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses (epithumia - lusts, sinful cravings & desires), always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (see notes 2 Timothy 3:6; 3:7)

Wuest explains that knetho...

describes that person who desires to hear for mere gratification, like the Greeks at Athens who spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear, not some new thing, but some newer thing (Acts17:21). The comparative form of the adjective is used here, not the positive. Ernest Gordon, commenting on this verse says: “Hardly has the latest novelty been toyed with, than it is cast aside as stale and frayed, and a newer is sought. One has here the volatile spirit of the Greek city, so in contrast with the gravity and poise of the Christian spirit, engaged with eternal things.” Such is the spirit of Modernism with its teachings of the divinity of mankind, and the relativity of truth, its rejection of the doctrine of total depravity, the sacrificial atonement, the resurrection, and the need of the new birth, catering to the desires of a fallen race. It gratifies man’s pride. It soothes his troubled conscience. The desire for the gratification of one’s cravings is insatiable, and is increased or aggravated by having that desire satisfied. Hence the heaping ("accumulate for") to themselves of teachers. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

Clement of Alexandria describes certain teachers as

scratching and tickling, in no human way, the ears of those who eagerly desire to be scratched.

As the pagan Roman Stoic philosopher and tutor to Nero Seneca (3BC-65AD) wrote:

Some come to hear, not to learn, just as we go to the theatre, for pleasure, to delight our ears with the speaking or the voice or the plays.

Variety delights itching ears.

Bengel was correct when he said

He who despises sound teaching leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves.

Someone has said the modern pulpit is a sounding board that is merely saying back to the people what they want to hear. They prefer religious entertainment and sermons that will tickle their ears instead of truths from Scripture that will pierce their hearts like Peter's sermon did at Pentecost! (Acts 2:37)

THEY WILL ACCUMULATE FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS: episoreusousin (3PFAI) didaskalous: (3:6 1Ki 18:22; 2Chr 18:4;18:5 Jer 5:31; 23:16;17