John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. For the time will come , etc.] This is a reason of the solemn charge above given: the time referred to was future, when the apostle wrote, but quickly came on; and the characters of it have appeared more or less in all ages since; and in none more than in ours: when they will not endure sound doctrine ; the Gospel which contains the wholesome words of Christ, and is sound itself, having no corruption in it, and salutary in its effects to the souls of men; and yet such is the depravity of some men, both in principles and practice, that they cannot receive it, nor bear to hear it, turn their backs on it, express their indignation at it, and treat it not only with neglect, but with ridicule and contempt: but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers ; not being content with the ministry of one man only, or of a few, though of their own sort; but must follow many, and have heaps of them; which seems to express not only the number of false teachers which they accumulate to themselves, but the confused and indiscreet choice they make of them; and that after their own lusts; choosing to hear such as either indulge them in their sinful lusts and pleasures; or are agreeable to their private corrupt sentiments, in opposition to the generally received doctrine of faith. It is a blessing to have pastors and teachers after God's heart, and who preach according to the word of God; these feed men with knowledge and understanding, ( Jeremiah 3:15) but it is a curse upon a people, when they are left to choose teachers after their hearts' lusts: having itching ears ; always desirous of new things, as the Athenians of old; or loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man's free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works, and the like; (see Isaiah 30:9,10). Now, this being the case, should not discourage, but rather animate the ministers of the Gospel to preach it; for should they desist, in all likelihood the Gospel would soon be gone.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - People will turn away from the truth, they will grow weary of the plai gospel of Christ, they will be greedy of fables, and take pleasure in them. People do so when they will not endure that preaching which in searching, plain, and to the purpose. Those who love souls must be eve watchful, must venture and bear all the painful effects of their faithfulness, and take all opportunities of making known the pur gospel.
Greek Textus Receptus
εσται 2071 5704 V-FXI-3S γαρ 1063 CONJ καιρος 2540 N-NSM οτε 3753 ADV της 3588 T-GSF υγιαινουσης 5198 5723 V-PAP-GSF διδασκαλιας 1319 N-GSF ουκ 3756 PRT-N ανεξονται 430 5695 V-FDI-3P αλλα 235 CONJ κατα 2596 PREP τας 3588 T-APF επιθυμιας 1939 N-APF τας 3588 T-APF ιδιας 2398 A-APF εαυτοις 1438 F-3DPM επισωρευσουσιν 2002 5692 V-FAI-3P διδασκαλους 1320 N-APM κνηθομενοι 2833 5746 V-PPP-NPM την 3588 T-ASF ακοην 189 N-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:3 {A time when} (kairos hote). One of the akairws (out of season) times. {Will not endure} (ouk anexontai). Future middle (direct) of anecw. "Will not hold themselves back from" (Col. #3:13). Having itching ears (kneqomenoi ten akoen). Present middle (causative) participle of kneqw, late and rare form of the Attic knaw, to scratch, to tickle, here only in N.T. "Getting the ears (the hearing, tn akon) tickled." The Vulgate has prurientes. Cf. the Athenians (#Ac 17:21). Clement of Alexandria tells of speakers tickling (kneqontes) the ears of those who want to be tickled. this is the temptation of the merely "popular" preacher, to furnish the latest tickle.
