Treacherous is derived from the verb that means “to betray” and denotes breaking one’s faithfulness to another by handing someone over to the control of that person’s enemies; hence “traitors.”

Reckless refers to doing things impulsively without thinking; hence “impetuous,” “rash” (New International Version).

Swollen with conceit is derived from a verb that means “to be insanely arrogant,” “to be extremely proud,” hence “swollen with pride” (Good News Translation), “puffed up with pride” (Contemporary English Version), “demented by pride” (Jerusalem Bible), “swollen with self-importance” (Revised English Bible).

Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God contrasts two words that are similar in form, the first one denoting fondness and love for pleasure and enjoyment, and the second one denoting affection and love for God. Some languages will be able to use the same word for “love” in both cases, whereas in other languages there will be appropriate synonyms to distinguish between “love of pleasure” and “love for God.” This final sentence may be restructured as follows: “Instead of loving God, they will love pleasure” (Contemporary English Version).

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .