The result of all this is that these people will turn away from the truth and instead wander into myths. For turn away see 2 Tim 1.15. These people deliberately refuse to listen to the truth, that is, the gospel message (for which see 1 Tim 6.5). Wander into (Good News Translation “give their attention”) may also be rendered as “eagerly listen to” (Contemporary English Version) or “become fascinated by.”

The word translated myths occurs only four times in the whole New Testament, three times in the Pastorals, and once in 2 Peter (1.16). Here the term refers to teachings that are not true and have no historical basis; hence Good News Translation “legends.” For further discussion see 1 Tim 1.4.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• The result is that they will stop listening to the true message and will become fascinated with made-up stories (or, legends).

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 .