This fifth attribute that depicts these days, is identified by the Greek word blasfeemoi, and means to speak evil of a person, to be slanderous (insulting), reproachful (critical or accusing), railing (attacking and condemning), and abusive.  

It is interesting in comparing some of the most popular bible versions, how many different word translations of the Greek word blasfeemoi are used. The most literal translation is in the KJV and the NKJV as “blasphemers.” The NIV and the RSV use “abusive”; the ASV use “railers”; the NLT use “scoffing at God”; and the translation I prefer, the NASU and the NAS use “reviler.” I think reviler is the best because it tends to include all that is in the definition. I like the NLT and use it often for casual reading, but I think the translation they use, takes a lot of liberty. It is indeed scoffing at God, but it is also scoffing at people, especially Christian people.

The Greek word blasfeemoi is used four times in the New Testament. We will examine each of these references.

Acts 6: 10-11

But they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”

Here is where Stephen, being greatly used of God in preaching as well as in works, was persecuted by certain Jewish leaders, and they persuaded men to say that they heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. These are terrible accusations, because if it was true, according to Jewish law, he could be stoned to death. For in Leviticus 24:16 it states that “…one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him.”

Hence, this word “blasphemous” in verse 11, has the connotation of speaking evil of God and is probably how these men justified stoning (Acts 7:58-60). Also, in the context of 2 Timothy 3:2, we definitely see in the word the meaning of speaking evil of God; thus, we see in the word that it is far more than a casual cursing; it is a terrible offense.

1 Timothy 1:12-13

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;

This passage tells us that before Paul was a believer he was a blasphemer and also a persecutor of believers. Paul didn’t realize his sin at that time; he acted ignorantly. I’m sure he would say that he was a believer in God, but he did not see who Christ was. And in truth, since Jesus was God’s son and Himself God, he was speaking against God. Hence, when we speak against Christ we also speak against God.

2 Timothy 3:2

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

Here is the verse we are most concerned with, which in the NASU it is translated as “revilers.” But, if I may repeat it, in the NIV and the RSV it is translated as “abusive,” in the KJV as “blasphemers,” and in the ASV as “railers.” So, in this verse we have a lot of different opinions of what the translation should be.

I also want to say that in observing all the different words/attributes, it may be concluded that they are all in the mind and in the heart. Paul, I think, is showing us the evils of the mind in these last days (men of depraved minds, v. 8). But of course, there is the implication that evil deeds will result. For example, in verse 6, Paul speaks of the unholy actions of some who enter homes and “captivate weak women.” And of course, we know of so many evil deeds in the world—all that result from such men and women with evil, depraved minds. It starts in the mind and will naturally regress to various evil deeds of murder, rape, fornication, burglary, war, and fighting, etc.

2 Peter 2:9-13

9 then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.

Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, 11 whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. 12 But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,

Here Peter is talking about false teachers of his day who are so corrupt, self-willed and ignorant about the demonic world that they revile them (speak evil of and ridicule them). They probably weren’t aware that even the holy angels did not speak evil of the demons.

Here we get more information about a reviler: they are corrupt, self-willed, and like unreasoning animals that are creatures of instinct. And they, probably all of them, are ignorant of the higher authorities.