2 Timothy 4:1-5 The moving ethics of tinnitus and itching ears

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KJV: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Greek: εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας επιθυμιας τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην

Latin: erit enim tempus cum sanam doctrinam non sustinebunt sed ad sua desideria coacervabunt sibi magistros prurientes auribus

Wycliffe: For tyme schal be, whanne men schulen not suffre hoolsum teching, but at her desiris thei schulen gadere `togidere to hem silf maistris yitchinge to the eeris.

2 Timothy 4:4

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KJV: And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Greek: και απο μεν της αληθειας την ακοην αποστρεψουσιν επι δε τους μυθους εκτραπησονται

Latin: et a veritate quidem auditum avertent ad fabulas autem convertentur

Ears are transducers that convert audio waves into signals to the brain.
The brain decodes the audio waves.

Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the brain that does not have an external source. The Latin word "tinnitus" ≈ "jingling, ringing" from "tinnio" ≈ "ring, jingle".

The ancient Greek word"κύμβαλον" ≈ "cymbal" and is a diminutive from "κύμβη" ≈ "hollow of a vessel".
That is, others cannot hear it. To those who have it, the condition can be very distressing.

Some Bible verses create sounds in the brain where the original words do not have that meaning (that would create those sounds).

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. [kjv]

εαν ταις γλωσσαις των ανθρωπων λαλω και των αγγελων αγαπην δε μη εχω γεγονα χαλκος ηχων η κυμβαλον αλαλαζον [gnt]

… sonans aut cymbalum tinniens [v]

The Latin word "tinnitus" ≈ "jingling, ringing" from "tinnio" ≈ "ring, jingle".

More: A tongue in cheek model for Pentecost

More: A security model for speaking in tongues

1 Corinthians 13:1

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KJV: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Greek: εαν ταις γλωσσαις των ανθρωπων λαλω και των αγγελων αγαπην δε μη εχω γεγονα χαλκος ηχων η κυμβαλον αλαλαζον

Latin: si linguis hominum loquar et angelorum caritatem autem non habeam factus sum velut aes sonans aut cymbalum tinniens

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

What does it mean to have "itching" "ears"?

Can one "scratch" an "itch"? Can one "itch" a "scratch"? Let us "scratch" the surface.

Paul warns Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus, that people will eventually get "teachers" that teach them what they want to hear - having "itching" "ears".

MIT has a programming system oriented towards kids called "Scratch".

Web site: https://scratch.mit.edu/ (as of 2024-02-12)

If you have an "itch" for programming, you may want to try "Scratch".

The Carnegie-Melon system for programming is "Alice".

Web site: http://www.alice.org/ (as of 2024-02-12)

2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [kjv]

και απο μεν της αληθειας την ακοην αποστρεψουσιν επι δε τους μυθους εκτραπησονται [gnt]

In Greek, there were (at least) two types of explanations of previous events: myth and history.

A "myth" was a story that was more false than true.
A "history" was a story that was more true than false.

In the mid 1800's, this distinction went binary as either almost completely true or completely false.

The same words are connected to the Latin "fable", the Greek "parable", the Spanish "hablar" (speak) the French "Parlez" (speak) and the English "history".

More: Mythical stories about history

For context, here is the first verse of the chapter.

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [kjv]

διαμαρτυρομαι ενωπιον του θεου και χριστου ιησου του μελλοντος κρινειν ζωντας και νεκρους και την επιφανειαν αυτου και την βασιλειαν αυτου [gnt]

The "quick" are the "living" as in "quicksilver" that "moves".
The "dead" are those "sleeping".

2 Timothy 4:1

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KJV: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

Greek: διαμαρτυρομαι ουν εγω ενωπιον του θεου και του κυριου χριστου ιησου χριστου του μελλοντος κρινειν ζωντας και νεκρους κατα και την επιφανειαν αυτου και την βασιλειαν αυτου

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [kjv]

κηρυξον τον λογον επιστηθι ευκαιρως ακαιρως ελεγξον επιτιμησον παρακαλεσον εν παση μακροθυμια και διδαχη [gnt]

4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [kjv]

4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [kjv]

συ δε νηφε εν πασιν κακοπαθησον εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου την διακονιαν σου πληροφορησον [gnt]

… opus … evangelistae ministerium … [v]

Does Paul tell Timothy to first make "friends" with those to whom he is "preaching" as on "evangelist"?

More: Friendship evangelism deception

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [kjv]

κηρυξον τον λογον επιστηθι ευκαιρως ακαιρως ελεγξον επιτιμησον παρακαλεσον εν παση μακροθυμια και διδαχη [gnt]

The Greek for "in season" is that of, literally, a "good time" or "opportunity".
The Greek for "out of season" is that of, literally, "not a season". In context, it is "not a good time".

One can preach anytime. One does not need to become friends first as in the modern idea of "friendship evangelism".

More: Friendship evangelism deception

2 Timothy 4:2

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KJV: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Greek: κηρυξον τον λογον επιστηθι ευκαιρως ακαιρως ελεγξον επιτιμησον παρακαλεσον εν παση μακροθυμια και διδαχη

2 Timothy 4:5

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KJV: But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Greek: συ δε νηφε εν πασιν κακοπαθησον εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου την διακονιαν σου πληροφορησον

Latin: tu vero vigila in omnibus labora opus fac evangelistae ministerium tuum imple

Finding teachers that teach or "indoctrinate" or "entertain" (i.e., "edutainment") by telling the audience what the audience likes to hear or expects to hear is a form of "confirmation bias".

A confirmation bias is a bias of accepting only facts that agree with what you have already decided is true and ignoring other facts.
That is, one accepts only new information that confirms what one already believes or has heard, etc. You can ignore facts that you do not know about (ignorance of the law) or ignore things in order to deceive others (and yourself).

A confirmation bias can be encouraged by the use of "cherry picking" information to view or accept.

More: Cherry-picked verses

More: Confirmation bias

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The ancient Greek word "διδάσκαλος" ≈ "teacher, master". The modern Greek word "διδάσκαλους" (thee-THA-ska-lus) ≈ "teachers".

Latin uses different words for "doctrine" or "teaching" and "teachers". The Latin word "magestros" ≈ "master, chief, teacher, master" as in the English word "magistrate". The Latin here separates "teachers" and "students" (others) but the Greek does not.

More: Teaching and learning sound and healthy doctrine

More: Didache: The doctrine of teaching

More: A dogmatic opinion about dogmas

Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, [kjv]

και ανοιξας το στομα αυτου εδιδασκεν αυτους λεγων [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "διδάσκαλος" ≈ "teacher, master" and comes from the ancient Greek word "διδάσκω" ≈ "teach, instruct, train".

Some say that the word comes from or means "cause to learn" but I could not find any support for such an etymology. A good teacher tends to have a causal effect on getting students to learn. Such an etymology, however, appears to be lacking.

In Greek philosophy, the "didactic" was a discussion that was used to teach learning though talking.

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Teaching and learning and mathematics

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The Greek for "sound" "doctrine" is that of "healthy" "teaching". The ancient Greek word "ὑγίής" ≈ "sound, healthy" and is the source of the English word "hygiene".

The Latin word "sanus" ≈ "sound, healthy, whole" and is the source of the English word "sane".

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The ancient Greek word "σωρός" ≈ "heap, pile, mound, quantity". Paul appears to make up a word that means to "pile" or "heap" onto something. The modern Greek word "επισωρεύσουσιν" (eh-pee-so-REV-su-seen) ≈ "heap" literally they add to "on the pile/heap"

A paradox involving "heaps" is the "Sorites" paradox. The name comes from the Greek word for "heap"

A paradox involving "heaps" is the "Sorites" paradox. The name comes from the Greek word for "heap". It is sometimes called the paradox of the "heap". A paradox is something that is, literally, "beyond expectation".
Sorites paradox (little by little): When does a "heap" of sand become not a "heap" as one grain at a time are removed from the "heap"?

The original paradox is attributed to "Εὐβουλίδης" ≈ "Eubulides" of "Μῑ́λητος" ≈ "Miletus" on what is today the east coast of Turkey.

Part of the paradox has to do with how one defines a "heap". A similar paradox involves hair and baldness.

More: Paradoxes: Beyond expectation of a parallel glory

More: Self-referential paradoxes

More: Matthew 5:33-37: Black and white and read all over again

More: The sorrowful annoyance of hairsplitting

Aristotle points out that we reason with "names" that represent "things" and not the "things" themselves.

More than one name can represent the same thing.
Names can represent more than one thing.

This leaves room for deception using words and "apparent logic". When you "drink" a "cup" you are not literally drinking the cup itself.
The English word "equivocation" means a deception by means of making names (or things) equal that are not actually equal. This is sometimes called "doublespeak".

More: Aristotle

More: Equivocation deception between names and meanings

Example: All men are created equal. Women are not men, so all women are not created equal.

Sometimes equivocation is used to "obfuscate" by using another word.

Details are left as a future topic.

Assumptions.

There is a reality of what exists and what does not exist, etc.
We can only have a perception of that reality.

Reality perception deceptions:

invalid logic (horn, thorns, tittles)
empty opinion (spots, jots)

Things: The reality of grains of sand does not change as grains are added or removed.
Names: The name heap is ambiguous and not well-defined.

Note: One can make the same argument about what constitutes a grain of sand.

Proverbs 25:21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: [kjv]

εαν πεινα ο εχθρος σου τρεφε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον [lxx]

25:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. [kjv]

τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου ο δε κυριος ανταποδωσει σοι αγαθα [lxx]

More: Anthrax as the color of red hot coal

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [kjv]

αλλα εαν πεινα ο εχθρος σου ψωμιζε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word"ἀνθρακιά" ≈ "pile of charcoal, charcoal fire".

Discuss: Is Paul using the words for "hunger" and "thirst" in a literal or figurative sense (or both)? Explain.

Proverbs 25:21

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KJV: If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

Hebrew: אם רעב שנאך האכלהו לחם ואם צמא השקהו מים׃

Greek: εαν πεινα ο εχθρος σου τρεφε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον

Proverbs 25:22

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KJV: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

Hebrew: כי גחלים אתה חתה על ראשו ויהוה ישלם לך׃

Greek: τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου ο δε κυριος ανταποδωσει σοι αγαθα

Romans 12:20

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KJV: Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Greek: αλλα εαν ουν πεινα ο εχθρος σου ψωμιζε αυτον εαν διψα ποτιζε αυτον τουτο γαρ ποιων ανθρακας πυρος σωρευσεις επι την κεφαλην αυτου

In computer science and the study of algorithms, a heap is a tree structure where any node has a value greater (or less) than all sub-nodes (e.g., a binary heap).

This type of heap is a tree-structured version of a priority queue.

*G4987 *2 σωρεύω (sore-yoo'-o) : from another form of G4673; to pile up (literally or figuratively):--heap, load.

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σωρευσεις

Romans 12:20 ... for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on ...

σεσωρευμενα

2 Timothy 3:6 ... and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

*G2002 *1 ἐπισωρεύω (ep-ee-so-ryoo'-o) : from G1909 and G4987; to accumulate further, i.e. (figuratively) seek additionally:--heap.

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επισωρευσουσιν

2 Timothy 4:3 ... after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

*G4987 *2 σωρεύω (sore-yoo'-o) : from another form of G4673; to pile up (literally or figuratively):--heap, load.

Words: σεσωρευμενα σωρευσεις

*G2002 *1 ἐπισωρεύω (ep-ee-so-ryoo'-o) : from G1909 and G4987; to accumulate further, i.e. (figuratively) seek additionally:--heap.

Words: επισωρευσουσιν

The ancient Greek word "σωρός" ≈ "heap, pile, mound, quantity". Paul appears to make up a word that means to "pile" or "heap" onto something. The modern Greek word "επισωρεύσουσιν" (eh-pee-so-REV-su-seen) ≈ "heap" literally they add to "on the pile/heap"

*G4673 *1 σορός (sor-os') : probably akin to the base of G4987; a funereal receptacle (urn, coffin), i.e. (by analogy) a bier:--bier.

Words: σορου

*G4673 *1 σορός (sor-os') : probably akin to the base of G4987; a funereal receptacle (urn, coffin), i.e. (by analogy) a bier:--bier.

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σορου

Luke 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. ...

Luke 7:14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. [kjv]

και προσελθων ηψατο της σορου οι δε βασταζοντες εστησαν και ειπεν νεανισκε σοι λεγω εγερθητι [gnt]

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

Since Paul appears to have made up the word "heap on" there could be a play on words as in "make yourself a coffin".

"σωρός" ≈ "heap, pile, mound, quantity"
"σορός" ≈ "vessel, urn, coffin".

Luke 7:14

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KJV: And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.

Greek: και προσελθων ηψατο της σορου οι δε βασταζοντες εστησαν και ειπεν νεανισκε σοι λεγω εγερθητι

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. [kjv]

ο εχων ωτα ακουετω [gnt]

… aures audiendi audiat [v]

Greek has different words for "ears" and "hearing". The Latin word "auribus" ≈ "ear".

"οὖς" ≈ "ear" and "ὦτα" ≈ "ears".
"ἀκούω" ≈ "hear" and is the source of the English word "acoustic".
"ἀκοή" ≈ "hearing, the sound heard".
The modern Greek word "ακοήν" (a-ko-EEN) ≈ "audience".

The additional "hear" in the KJV (King James Version) appears to come from the Latin Vulgate.

Matthew 11:15

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KJV: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Greek: ο εχων ωτα ακουειν ακουετω

Latin: qui habet aures audiendi audiat

Some movies use this ambiguity as humor. Some people like this humor. Some do not. Here is an example from one of the Airplane movies.

Be hospitable and not hostile!

Person A: There's a problem at the hospital.
Person B: What is it?
Person A: It's a big building with patients, but that's not important now.

The pronoun "it" is somewhat ambiguous. Pronouns usually refers to the nearest noun, but not always. This is an example of one problem that makes NLP (Natural Language Processing) by computers difficult.

More: Hosting strange and hostile guests and ghosts

More: Pronouns

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [kjv]

και απο μεν της αληθειας την ακοην αποστρεψουσιν επι δε τους μυθους εκτραπησονται [gnt]

The pronoun "themselves" (plural) in Greek, as in most languages, is ambiguous. Who has the "itching" "hearing" (verses 4:3 and 4:4)?

Might the students be the teachers as in the reader response model?

Matthew 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. [kjv]

συνηκατε ταυτα παντα λεγουσιν αυτω ναι [gnt]

Man to wife: No, you're wrong... It doesn't even go in one ear!

hearing
listening

Mother to (three) sons: You can all hear just fine, but you don't listen.

[German voice for GPS (Global Positioning System) map directions]

More: Gnashing of the teeth

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The KJV for "itching" comes from the Latin Vulgate "pruriens" ≈ "desire, itching". Is this the meaning in the GNT (Greek New Testament)?

The modern Greek word "κνηθομένοι" (knee-tho-MEH-nee) ≈ "moving".

*G2833 *1 κνήθω (knay'-tho) : from a primary knao (to scrape); to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle:--X itching.

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κνηθομενοι

2 Timothy 4:3 ... shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

*G2833 *1 κνήθω (knay'-tho) : from a primary knao (to scrape); to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to tickle:--X itching.

Words: κνηθομενοι

The ancient Greek word "κνῆσις" ≈ "scratching (of an itch)" and could be an "irritation" is an a "teething infant".

The ancient Greek word "κνῆσμα" ≈ "scraping, shavings" and could be a "sting" or "bite" of an insect.

Paul's word appears to allude to a "scratch" of an "itch" but may have an added meaning.

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

εσται γαρ καιρος οτε της υγιαινουσης διδασκαλιας ουκ ανεξονται αλλα κατα τας ιδιας επιθυμιας εαυτοις επισωρευσουσιν διδασκαλους κνηθομενοι την ακοην [gnt]

… tempus … sanam doctrinam … desideria coacervabunt … magistros prurientes auribus [v]

The prefix «κνηθ-» appears only here but appears to be a common elision (i.e., shortening) of the prefix «κινη-» which appears 14 times in the GNT and LXX (Septuagint) as "moving".

We get the English word "kinetic" from the prefix «κινη-». The related modern Greek word is "κίνηση" (KEE-nee-see) ≈ "move, movement". The word "cinema" is through French and means, literally. "moving" as in a shorting of the phrase "cinematic film".

Paul invents a lot of his own words. A play on words here is that of a "moving ethics" or "relative ethics". The ancient Greek word "ἔθος" ≈ "habit, custom, manner" and is the source of the English word "ethics".

KJV: "itching" "ears".
Play on words: "moving ethics" of "hearing" or "listening".

This is part of the modern reader response model.

Judges: Everyone did what was good in their own eyes.
Analogy: Everyone hears what is good in their own ears.

*G1485 *12 ἔθος (eth'-os) : from G1486; a usage (prescribed by habit or law):--custom, manner, be wont.

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εθος *6

Luke 1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went ...
Luke 2:42 ... to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; ...
John 19:40 ... with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
Acts 25:16 ... I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any ...
Hebrews 10:25 ... of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting ...

εθη *2

Acts 6:14 ... place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
Acts 16:21 And teach customs, which are not ...

εθει

Acts 15:1 ... and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot ...

εθεσιν

Acts 21:21 ... their children, neither to walk after the customs.

εθων

Acts 26:3 ... questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee ...

εθεσι

Acts 28:17 ... against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner ...

*G1485 *12 ἔθος (eth'-os) : from G1486; a usage (prescribed by habit or law):--custom, manner, be wont.

Words: εθει εθεσι εθεσιν εθη=2 εθος=6 εθων

The ancient Greek word "ἔθος" ≈ "habit, custom, manner" and is the source of the English word "ethics" and cognate to the Sanskrit word "स्वधा" (svadha) ≈ "habit, custom".

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

Paraphrase: The season will come when they will not endure healthy teaching, but after their own desires, they shall heap (as a coffin) to themselves teachers (who could be the students), having relative ethics of hearing.

Who has the "relative ethics"? Who are the "teachers"? In the modern reader-response model, the "teachers" and those being "taught" are, reflexively, the same people who decide the meaning of what they are "hearing".

More: Belief issues and reader response

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [kjv]

4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [kjv]

4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [kjv]

και απο μεν της αληθειας την ακοην αποστρεψουσιν επι δε τους μυθους εκτραπησονται [gnt]

4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. [kjv]

συ δε νηφε εν πασιν κακοπαθησον εργον ποιησον ευαγγελιστου την διακονιαν σου πληροφορησον [gnt]