Why does this teaching matter?
Paul's prophetic warning to Timothy describes exactly what we see today: mega-churches built on comfortable messages, audiences who choose preachers based on what they want to hear, and sound doctrine abandoned in favor of ear-tickling fables. This passage is both a prediction and a diagnostic tool for evaluating modern Christianity.
What did Apostle Paul teach?
"The time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers."
Speaker: Apostle Paul
Source: 2 Timothy 4:3-4
What does Scripture confirm?
2 Timothy 4:3-4
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
— NKJV
Note the progression: (1) rejection of sound doctrine, (2) desire-driven teacher selection, (3) turning from truth, (4) embracing fables. The prosperity gospel follows this exact pattern — it tells people what they desire to hear rather than what Scripture actually teaches.
2 Timothy 4:1-2
"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."
— NKJV
Paul's antidote to the coming apostasy is faithful preaching that includes convincing, rebuking, and exhorting — not just encouraging. A preacher who only affirms and never corrects has abandoned Paul's charge.
Titus 1:9
"Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."
— NKJV
Sound doctrine serves two purposes: exhortation AND conviction of error. A ministry that refuses to identify false teaching is only doing half the job Scripture requires.