Our study from Scripture concerns the subject of holiness. This week, the biblical instruction is taken from 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20–21 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul used many metaphors to describe the church of the living God. In today’s featured biblical text, the metaphor he used for the visible church was a great house or a large home.
In every home, there are cooking utensils, pieces of furniture, pots and pans, assorted dishes, towels, blankets, clothing, appliances and many more. Paul referred to these various household items as “vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.”
Such a large house contains all kinds of utensils; that is, furniture, vases, pots and pans, etc., in short, all those material objects which one expects to find in a mansion, the entire “household contents”; hence, not only gold and silver but also wooden and earthen vessels; not only articles to be kept and displayed, but also those which are taken to the dump or junk-yard when they have served their purpose. In passing, note that Paul must say large house, because a small house might not contain gold and silver utensils [1]
However, the Apostle Paul was referring to the house of God. The inanimate vessels of a physical home were comparable to various individuals, the converted and unconverted who participate in a local church’s ministries and worship services.
Similarly, the visible church, as it manifests itself on earth, contains true believers (some more faithful, comparable to gold; others less faithful, comparable to silver) and hypocrites. Cf. Matt. 13:24–30: wheat and tares. The genuine members are destined for honor (see Matt. 25:34–40); the others, for dishonor (see Matt. 25:41–45). Cf. 1 Sam. 2:30b; Rom. 9:21.[2]
Genuine believers in Christ “cleanses himself from what is dishonorable.” The word cleanses (ἐκκαθάρῃ; ekkathare) is an aorist, active, subjunctive singular verb. Each believer in Christ actively seeks to remove and get rid of whatever is unclean, or unholy, in their life. This refers to a thorough, moral cleansing (Matt. 5:8; I Cor. 5:7). Dishonorable (τούτων; touton) refers what is disrespectful and valueless.
“Paul uses this metaphor of the purging out of everything leavened prior to the Passover to show that all heathen sins and abominations must be set aside if Christ, our Passover Lamb, is to reign (I Cor. 5:1-7). The word is also used at 2 Tim. 2:21 of the setting aside of shameful things (opp. ἡγιασμένος).” [3]
When believers consistently cleanse themselves from moral impurity, they become “a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” Let’s unpack each of these verb phrases.
To be set apart as holy (ἡγιασμένον; hegiasmenon) is a perfect, passive participle. This is a work by God upon the believer. It means consecration, dedication and sanctification. It involves a service and loyalty to God (I Cor. 1:2).
To be useful to the master of the house (εὔχρηστον δεσπότῃ; euchreston despote) means to be valuable to the Lord.
To be ready (ἡτοιμασμένον; hetoimasmenon) is also a perfect, passive participle. God enables the believer to be prepared for every good work (πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν; pan ergon agathon). The tasks God gives the believer to complete will contain a biblical and high, moral content.
Now if anyone will thus effectively cleanse himself, he will be a utensil for honor. The reality rises above the figure: a cheap dish will always remain a cheap dish, but God’s grace enables a sinner to become a saint, “a utensil for honor.” Such a person, having cleansed himself, is sanctified. Through the purifying operation of the Holy Spirit he has now become “a saint in experience as well as position” (K. S. Wuest, Golden Nuggets, p. 72), having been wholly set apart for the Lord and his work, and this abidingly. Accordingly, he is now “very useful” to his Master, the One who exercises full authority over him (cf. 1 Tim. 6:1, 2; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10), namely, Jesus Christ. Once for all he is prepared for every good work (cf. 2 Tim. 3:17; Titus 1:16; 3:8, 14; then 2 Cor. 9:8).[4]
The privilege of serving the Lord comes with great personal and moral responsibilities. We must all strive to be instruments for noble purposes. Otherwise, God will not bless our ministry.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 270.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Friedrich Hauck and Rudolf Meyer, “Καθαρός, Καθαρίζω, Καθαίρω, Καθαρότης, Ἀκάθαρτος, Ἀκαθαρσία, Καθαρισμός, Ἐκκαθαίρω, Περικάθαρμα,” in Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–), 430.
[4] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 271.
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