2 Timothy 3:2

οἱ ἄνθρωποι : mankind in general, not οἱ ἄνδρες. This list of human vices should be compared with that given in Romans 1:29 sqq.; ἀλαζόνες, ὑπερήφανοι, γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς, ἄστοργοι are common to both passages. φίλαυτοι appropriately heads the array, egoism or self-centredness being the root of almost every sin, just as love which “seeketh not its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5) is “the fulfilment of the law” (Romans 13:10). φιλαυτία is used favourably by Aristotle in the sense of self-respect (Nic. Eth. ix. 8. 7). But “once the sense of sin is truly felt, self-respect becomes an inadequate basis for moral theory. So Philo (de Prof. 15) speaks of those who are φίλαυτοι δὴ μᾶλλον ἢ φιλόθεοι ” (Dean Bernard, in loc).

φιλάργυροι : covetousness (πλεονεξία, Romans 1:29) naturally springs from, or is one form of, selfishness; but we cannot suppose with Chrys. that there is a similar sequence intended all through.

Other compounds of φιλ.- in the Pastorals, besides the five that occur here, are φιλάγαθος, Titus 1:8, φίλανδρος, φιλότεκνος, Titus 2:4, φιλανθρωπία, Titus 3:4, φιλόξενος, 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8.

ἀλαζόνες, ὑπερήφανοι : elati, superbi. The ἀλαζών, boastful, betrays his character by his words; the ὑπερήφανος, haughty, more usually by his demeanour and expression.

βλάσφημοι : abusive, railers (R.V.); not necessarily blasphemers (A.V.).

γονεῦσιν ἀπειθεῖς and ἀχάριστοι naturally go together; since, as Bengel observes, gratitude springs from filial duty.