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Here we have the reason of our apostle's solemn adjuration in the foregoing verses, by which he stirs up Timothy to a careful discharge of his duty; namely, in regard of the apostasy of the times, in which many would grow weary of sound doctrine, and follow fables.
Here note, 1. The ground of this apostasy: men's hatred of the truth: They will not endure sound doctrine, that is, they will reject and abhor it; they love their lusts above God's law, and will not endure to hear it.
A second ground of their apostasy is, a delight in false teachers: they heap up to themselves such as will claw their itching ears, and gratify their wanton desires, and in now wise disturb their lusts.
Thirdly, Here is the doleful issue and dreadful consequence of this their malicious contempt of the truth; they shall turn away their hearts from the truth, and be turned unto fables; that is, say some, to the fabulous traditions of the Jewish doctors, say others.
Learn hence, 1. That Christian doctrine is sound doctrine, wholesome words.
2. Unsound persons cannot endure sound doctrine; sore eyes cannot abide the light.
3. That in the last days there will be many teachers to claw and gratify itching ears.
4. That the more false teachers do abound, the more careful and industrious should the ministers of Christ be to oppose them, by preaching sound doctrine.