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;
For - Make the most of the present time: for the time will come when, etc.
They - professing Christians.
Sound doctrine - THE х tees (G3588)] sound (note, 1 Timothy 1:10) doctrine х didaskalias (G1319)]; namely, of the Gospel.
After their own lusts. Instead of regarding the will of God, they dislike being interrupted in their selfish х idias (G2398)] lusts by true teachers.
Heap - one on another: an indiscriminate mass: a rabble of false teachers. Variety delights itching ears. 'He who despises sound teaching leaves sound teachers; they seek instructors like themselves' (Bengel). It is the corruption of the people that creates priestcraft (Exodus 32:1).
To themselves - to suit their depraved tastes [`populus vult decipi, et decipiatur: the people wish to be deceived, so let them be deceived (1 Kings 12:27-32; Hosea 4:9).]
Itching - after teachers who give pleasure (Acts 17:19-21), and do not offend by truths grating to the ears. They tickle the levity of the multitude (Cicero), who come as to a theater to hear what will delight their ears, not (Seneca, 'Ep.' 10:8) what will do them good. 'Itch in the ears is as bad as in any other part of the body, and perhaps worse' (South).