ACC ~ 2 Timothy 3 v2

ARROGANT SELF-ASSERTION. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: The Lord says, “My teaching is not mine but my father’s, and he sent me.” About the robbers he says, “Anyone who speaks on his own authority is seeking his own glory.” Yet are the Greeks: “Lovers of self, arrogant.” In calling them wise, Scripture is not attacking the real sages but those masquerading as sages. STROMATA 1.17.3-7.

GOOD AND BAD LOVE OF SELF. AUGUSTINE: There isn’t anyone, after all, who doesn’t love himself. But we have to look for the right sort of love and avoid the wrong sort. You see, anyone who loves himself by leaving God out of his life and leaves God out of his life by loving himself, doesn’t even remain in himself but goes away from himself. … Listen to the apostle giving his support to this understanding of the matter. “In the last days,” he says, “dangerous times will loom up.” What are the dangerous times? “There will be people loving themselves.” That’s the core of the evil. So let’s see if they remain in themselves by loving themselves; let’s see, let’s hear what comes next: “There will be people, he says, loving themselves, lovers of money.” Where are you now, you that were busy loving yourself? Obviously, you’re outside. Are you, I’m asking you, are you money? Obviously, after loving yourself by neglecting God, by loving money you have even abandoned yourself. SERMONS 330.3.

LOVING BADLY. AUGUSTINE: Since I have already given an example of love [amor] used in a good sense, someone may want an example of the same word used in a bad sense. If so, let him read the text, “Men will be lovers [amantes] of self, covetous [amatores pecuniae].” THE CITY OF GOD 14.7.2.

2 Tim