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2 Timothy 4:4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_timothy/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_timothy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They will reject the truth and chase after myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_timothy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and indeed they will turn away from hearing the truth, and will be turned aside unto myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_timothy/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they shall turn away <i>their</i> ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_timothy/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and they will turn <i>their</i> ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_timothy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_timothy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths <i>and</i> man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_timothy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_timothy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_timothy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_timothy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_timothy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_timothy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_timothy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_timothy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_timothy/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_timothy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_timothy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and will be turned to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_timothy/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_timothy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and, indeed, they will turn away from hearing the truth, and they will be turned aside to the fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/2_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />and indeed they will turn away from hearing the truth, and will be turned aside unto myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_timothy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_timothy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And truly from the truth will they turn away the hearing, and be turned aside to fictions.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_timothy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_timothy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_timothy/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_timothy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_timothy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they will turn away their ears from the truth, and they will turn to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_timothy/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And they will turn their ears from the truth and turn aside unto fables.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/2_timothy/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and they will turn away their ears from the truth, and be turned to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/2_timothy/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />and they will indeed turn their hearing from the truth, and be turned unto fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/2_timothy/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and will turn away their ears from the truth, and listen unto fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/2_timothy/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/2_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and will turn away from listening to the truth and will turn aside to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/2_timothy/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />and will turn away <i>their</i> ears from the truth, and will turn aside to the fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/2_timothy/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and turn away their attention from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_timothy/4-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FxoCLii8Z48?start=595" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_timothy/4.htm">Preach the Word</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">So</a> <a href="/greek/654.htm" title="654: apostrepsousin (V-FIA-3P) -- To turn away, pervert, remove; I restore, replace; mid: I desert, reject. From apo and strepho; to turn away or back.">they will turn</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">their</a> <a href="/greek/189.htm" title="189: akoēn (N-AFS) -- Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.">ears away</a> <a href="/greek/575.htm" title="575: apo (Prep) -- From, away from. A primary particle; off, i.e. Away, in various senses.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/225.htm" title="225: alētheias (N-GFS) -- From alethes; truth.">truth</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">and</a> <a href="/greek/1624.htm" title="1624: ektrapēsontai (V-FIP-3P) -- From ek and the base of trope; to deflect, i.e. Turn away.">turn aside</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3454.htm" title="3454: mythous (N-AMP) -- An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.">myths.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">5</span>But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-11.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:11-12</a></span><br />For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a></span><br />They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-9.htm">Isaiah 30:9-11</a></span><br />These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-31.htm">Jeremiah 5:31</a></span><br />The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-31.htm">Ezekiel 33:31-32</a></span><br />So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a></span><br />‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></span><br />or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a></span><br />Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">2 Peter 3:3-4</a></span><br />Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Isaiah 44:20</a></span><br />He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Jeremiah 23:16-17</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. / People will stagger from sea to sea and roam from north to east, seeking the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22-23</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables.</p><p class="hdg">turn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/1-15.htm">2 Timothy 1:15</a></b></br> This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Proverbs 1:32</a></b></br> For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11</a></b></br> But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.</p><p class="hdg">unto.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></b></br> Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: <i>so do</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7</a></b></br> But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself <i>rather</i> unto godliness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a></b></br> Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-13.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-9.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-13.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-52.htm">Shutting</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">True.</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-8.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-11.htm">Wander</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/3-19.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-17.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-1.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/titus/1-10.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/philemon/1-5.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/27-5.htm">Listening</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/genesis/19-6.htm">Shutting</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">True.</a> <a href="/titus/1-1.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/titus/3-11.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Wander</a><div class="vheading2">2 Timothy 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-1.htm">He exhorts him to preach the Word with all care and diligence;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-6.htm">certifies him of the nearness of his death;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-9.htm">wills him to come speedily unto him, and to bring Marcus with him;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-14.htm">warns him to beware of Alexander the metalworker.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">informs him what had befallen him at his first answering;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-19.htm">and soon after he concludes.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_timothy/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_timothy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_timothy/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So they will turn their ears away from the truth</b><br>This phrase highlights a deliberate choice to reject the truth. In the context of 2 Timothy, Paul is warning Timothy about a time when people will no longer endure sound doctrine (<a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3</a>). The "truth" here refers to the gospel message and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Historically, this reflects a period in the early church when false teachings and heresies were beginning to infiltrate Christian communities. The act of turning away suggests a willful decision to ignore or reject the truth, which is a recurring theme in Scripture (<a href="/romans/1-25.htm">Romans 1:25</a>, <a href="/john/8-32.htm">John 8:32</a>). This turning away is not just passive but an active decision to reject the foundational truths of the faith.<p><b>and turn aside to myths</b><br>The term "myths" refers to fabricated stories or false teachings that stand in contrast to the truth of the gospel. In the Greco-Roman world, myths were common and often involved tales of gods and heroes that were contrary to the monotheistic teachings of Christianity. This phrase indicates a preference for teachings that are more palatable or entertaining rather than those that are true. The early church faced challenges from Gnostic teachings and other heretical ideas that were considered myths (<a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a>, <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a>). This turning aside to myths is a warning against the allure of teachings that deviate from the apostolic doctrine, emphasizing the need for discernment and adherence to the truth of Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a></b><br>The apostle and author of the letter, writing to Timothy with guidance and warnings about the challenges of ministry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/timothy.htm">Timothy</a></b><br>A young pastor and protégé of Paul, receiving this letter as part of his pastoral training and encouragement.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a></b><br>The city where Timothy was likely ministering, known for its diverse culture and various religious beliefs.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a></b><br>Individuals who spread myths and false doctrines, leading believers away from the truth.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/myths.htm">Myths</a></b><br>Untruths or fables that people were turning to instead of the gospel truth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/guard_against_deception.htm">Guard Against Deception</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant in discerning truth from falsehood, grounding themselves in Scripture to avoid being led astray by myths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_sound_doctrine.htm">Value of Sound Doctrine</a></b><br>Emphasize the importance of sound teaching and doctrine in maintaining a strong faith and resisting false teachings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>Rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and understanding of the truth, as He leads us into all truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a></b><br>Engage in a community of believers who hold each other accountable to the truth of the gospel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_truth.htm">Perseverance in Truth</a></b><br>Encourage perseverance in the truth, even when it is unpopular or counter-cultural.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_timothy_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'itching_ears'_mean.htm">What does 'itching ears' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_people_reject_sound_doctrine.htm">Why do people reject sound doctrine?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_hymenaeus_and_alexander.htm">Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander in biblical context?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_2_tim_4_3-4_conflict_with_gradual_truth.htm">In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, does the warning about people turning away from truth conflict with other biblical passages where truth is revealed more gradually?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_timothy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">And they shall turn away their ears from the truth.</span>--This was the punishment of those who would only listen to what was pleasing to them, and which flattered instead of reproved their way of life. They became involved in the many various errors in doctrine which were then taught in the schools of the heretics, and they ended by turning away from every Christian truth. On the "fables" which they substituted for those great and eternal truths, see <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm" title="Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.">1Timothy 1:4</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_timothy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="accented">Will turn</span> for <span class="accented">they shall turn</span>, A.V.; <span class="accented">turn aside</span> for <span class="accented">shall be turned</span>, A.V. <span class="cmt_word">Will turn away,</span> etc. The sober, sound doctrine of the Word of God, teaching self-discipline, humility, and purity of heart and life, will not assuage their itching ears, and therefore they will turn away from it, and go after more congenial fables - those taught by the heretics. <span class="cmt_word">Turn aside</span> (<span class="greek">ἐκτραπήσοναι</span>); as <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">1 Timothy 1:6</a>, note. <span class="cmt_word">Fables</span> (<span class="greek">μύθους</span>); see <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7</a>; <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a>; <a href="/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16</a> (on the Jewish origin of these fables, see Bishop Ellicott's note on 1 Timothy 1:4). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_timothy/4-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[So]</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will turn</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀποστρέψουσιν</span> <span class="translit">(apostrepsousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_654.htm">Strong's 654: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn away, pervert, remove; I restore, replace; mid: I desert, reject. From apo and strepho; to turn away or back.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[their]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὴν</span> <span class="translit">(tēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ears {away}</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀκοὴν</span> <span class="translit">(akoēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_189.htm">Strong's 189: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hearing, faculty of hearing, ear; report, rumor. From akouo; hearing.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀπὸ</span> <span class="translit">(apo)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_575.htm">Strong's 575: </a> </span><span class="str2">From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τῆς</span> <span class="translit">(tēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">truth</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀληθείας</span> <span class="translit">(alētheias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_225.htm">Strong's 225: </a> </span><span class="str2">From alethes; truth.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turn aside</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκτραπήσονται</span> <span class="translit">(ektrapēsontai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1624.htm">Strong's 1624: </a> </span><span class="str2">From ek and the base of trope; to deflect, i.e. Turn away.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπὶ</span> <span class="translit">(epi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> </span><span class="str2">On, to, against, on the basis of, at. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">myths.</span><br /><span class="grk">μύθους</span> <span class="translit">(mythous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3454.htm">Strong's 3454: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">NT Letters: 2 Timothy 4:4 And will turn away their ears (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Timothy 4:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Timothy 4:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_timothy/4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Timothy 4:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Timothy 4:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>