2Ti 3:3, Tit 2:3 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 3. Without natural affection . . Trucebreakers . The same word in , is rendered implacable . . It properly means, without treaty ; that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance-- implacable ; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded. False accusers . Marg., makebates . The word makebate means one who excites contentions and quarrels. Webster. The Greek here is διαβολοι-- devils --the primitive meaning of which is, calumniator, slanderer, accuser . Comp. , where the word is rendered slanderers . Incontinent . . Literally, without strength ; that is, without strength to resist the solicitations of passion, or who readily yield to it. Fierce . The Greek word used here-- ανημερος does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means ungentle, harsh, severe , and is the opposite of gentleness and mildness. Religion produces gentleness; the want of it makes men rough, harsh, cruel. . Despisers of those that are good . In , it is said of a bishop that he must be "a lover of good men." This, in every condition of life, is a virtue; and hence the opposite of it is here set down as one of the characteristics of that evil age of which the apostle speaks. (1) "false accusers" "makebates"

2 Timothy 3:3

Verse 3. Without natural affection. Rom 1:31.

Trucebreakers. The same word in Rom 1:31, is rendered implacable. Rom 1:31. It properly means, without treaty; that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance-- implacable; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded.

False accusers. Marg., makebates. The word makebate means one who excites contentions and quarrels. Webster. The Greek here is διαβολοι--devils --the primitive meaning of which is, calumniator, slanderer, accuser. Comp. 1Timm 3:11, where the word is rendered slanderers.

Incontinent. 1Cor 7:5. Literally, without strength; that is, without strength to resist the solicitations of passion, or who readily yield to it.

Fierce. The Greek word used here-- ανημερος does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means ungentle, harsh, severe, and is the opposite of gentleness and mildness. Religion produces gentleness; the want of it makes men rough, harsh, cruel. 2Ti 2:24.

Despisers of those that are good. In Tit 1:8, it is said of a bishop that he must be "a lover of good men." This, in every condition of life, is a virtue; and hence the opposite of it is here set down as one of the characteristics of that evil age of which the apostle speaks.

(1) "false accusers" "makebates"

Titus 2:3

Verse 3. The aged women likewise. Not only those who may have the office of deaconnesses, but all aged females.

That they be in behaviour as becometh holiness. Marg., holy women. The Greek word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament. It means appropriate to a sacred place or person, or becoming to religion. Their conduct should be such as the gospel requires.

Not false accusers. Marg., make-bates. Gr., διαβολους, the word commonly applied to the devil--as the accuser. See it explained 1Timm 3:11, where it is rendered slanderers.

Not given to much wine. 1Timm 3:3.

Teachers of good things. That is, instructing the younger--whether their own children, or whether they sustain the office of deaconess, and are appointed to give instruction to younger females. Comp. 1Timm 5:2-6.

(2) "holiness" "holy women" (3) "false accusers" "makebates"