2 Timothy 4:3-4

Paul explained the reason for this charge next. "They" are the people to whom Timothy and his followers would preach: his listeners. In the end time they would not tolerate the truth but would only listen to speakers who told them what they wanted to hear (false doctrine, entertainment, etc.; cf. 2 Timothy 3:6). Paul pictured people who would be bored by, apathetic to, and annoyed by sound doctrine.

"In other words, they have made themselves the measure of who should teach them and what teaching is acceptable." [Note: Knight, p. 455.]

Moreover they would choose to believe myths rather than the truth (e.g., atheistic evolution, humanism, reincarnation, etc.; cf. 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 1:14). The context seems to indicate that these people were believers (cf. Luke 8:13; 1 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 3:12; 2 Timothy 2:12). Earle believed the phrase "sound doctrine" is the key one in the Pastorals (cf. 1 Timothy 1:10). [Note: Earle, "2 Timothy," p. 411.]

"Timothy’s major responsibility in Ephesus was to defend and proclaim sound doctrine." [Note: Ibid.]