For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, For men shall be - The description in this and the following verses the Papists apply to the Protestants; the Protestants in their turn apply it to the Papists; Schoettgen to the Jews; and others to heretics in general. There have been both teachers and people in every age of the Church, and in every age of the world, to whom these words may be most legitimately applied. Both Catholics and Protestants have been lovers of their own selves, etc.; but it is probable that the apostle had some particular age in view, in which there should appear some very essential corruption of Christianity.
Lovers of their own selves - Φιλαυτοι· Selfish, studious of their own interest, and regardless of the welfare of all mankind.
Covetous - Φιλαργυροι· Lovers of money, because of the influence which riches can procure.
Boasters - Αλαζονες· Vain glorious: self-assuming; valuing themselves beyond all others.
Proud - Ὑπερηφανοι· Airy, light, trifling persons; those who love to make a show - who are all outside; from ὑπερ, above, and φαινω, to show.
Blasphemers - Βλασφημοι· Those who speak impiously of God and sacred things, and injuriously of men.
Disobedient to parents - Γονευσιν απειθεις· Headstrong children, whom their parents cannot persuade.
Unthankful - Αχαριστοι· Persons without grace, or gracefulness; who think they have a right to the services of all men, yet feel no obligation, and consequently no gratitude.
Unholy - Ανοσιοι· Without piety; having no heart reverence for God.