Jesus gave a sobering warning about the spiritual condition of the world in the last days. His words reveal something deeper than a decline in kindness. He describes a world in which lawlessness increases and love gradually disappears from the hearts of many.

1. The Scripture

Matthew 24:12 (NASB 1995)

“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”

Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)

“And because of the abounding of the lawlessness, the love of the many shall become cold.”

Notice the connection Jesus makes: increasing lawlessness produces cooling love.

2. The Greek meaning

Two Greek words help us understand this passage.

A. Love: Agapē (ἀγάπη)

This is the word for love used here. It describes love that gives, seeks another’s good, and is not merely governed by emotion.

Jesus is warning that the love which should characterize His people can become weakened.

B. Grow cold: Psychō (ψύχω)

Meaning: to cool, to become cold, or to lose warmth.

The picture is striking: something that was once warm gradually loses its heat.

Jesus is describing a progressive cooling of love.