Matthew 24:12

12 And for wickedness shall be plenteous, the charity of many shall wax cold;

Matthew 24:12 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 24:12

And because iniquity shall abound
Meaning, either the malice and wickedness of outrageous persecutors, which should greatly increase; or the treachery and hatred of the apostates; or the errors and heresies of false teachers; or the wickedness that prevailed in the lives and conversations of some, that were called Christians: for each of these seem to be hinted at in the context, and may be all included, as making up the abounding iniquity here spoken of; the consequence of which would be,

the love of many shall wax cold.
This would be the case of many, but not of all; for in the midst of this abounding iniquity, there were some, the ardour of whose love to Christ, to his Gospel, and to the saints, did not abate: but then there were many, whose zeal for Christ, through the violence of persecution, was greatly damped; and through the treachery of false brethren, were shy of the saints themselves, not knowing who to trust; and through the principles of the false teachers, the power of godliness, and the vital heat of religion, were almost lost; and through a love of the world, and of carnal ease and pleasure, love to the saints was grown very chill, and greatly left; as the instances of Demas, and those that forsook the Apostle Paul, at his first answer before Nero, show. This might be true of such, who were real believers in Christ; who might fall under great decays, through the prevalence of iniquity; since it does not say their love shall be lost, but wax cold.

Matthew 24:12 In-Context

10 And then many shall be caused to stumble [And then many shall be offended], and [they shall] betray each other, and they shall hate each other.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and [they shall] deceive many.

12 And for wickedness shall be plenteous, the charity of many shall wax cold;

13 but he that shall dwell still into the end, shall be safe. [+forsooth he that shall dwell stable/steadfast unto the end, this shall be safe.]

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, in [into] witnessing to all folks; and then the end shall come.