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PAUL’S LETTERS TO TIMOTHY

Words and vessels in Evangelical service

2 Timothy 2:14-26

 

Introduction

This second half of Chapter 2 continues the theme of "Loyalty to Christ" which the Lord's servant must always maintain, despite the many difficulties that he encounters. In this passage, we see the servant in relation to the Word of God (the Bible) and as a "Vessel of Honour" in a great house.

Words – verses 14 to 18

Several kinds of "words" (i.e. conversations and doctrines) are mentioned in this section as being harmful; the servant of the Lord should avoid such conversations.

• Contentious words (v. 14). How often are arguments and discussions raised on religious or biblical subjects, by people who have little understanding of logic, or of doctrinal principles, which often lack sincerity or the simple courtesy! They want only their own opinion to prevail and the result is almost always hot contention, often open quarrel - and there is no spiritual benefit to contestants or to listeners.
• Profanity (v. 16). Conversations in which the Scriptures and divine things are treated disrespectfully, with levity or intentional neglect.
• Misleading words (vs. 17-18). These are used to teach false doctrines and, just as cancer gradually destroys the flesh, so do such words, if accepted and followed, corrupt the spiritual life of the believer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are mentioned as people who taught false doctrine about the resurrection, saying it had already taken place on conversion of the believer and that there would be no resurrection of the body (the doctrine of Gnosticism). Another reference to Hymenaeus is found in the 1 Timothy 1:20, but nothing is known of Philetus beyond what is said here.
• True words (v. 15). Here is the Holy Scripture, that the servant of God should carefully study to know it well - its overall structure, the writers and the themes of their books, the dispensations and the general lines of prophecy. All this is essential - with much prayer and true humility of spirit so that the servant may be a "trusty worker”, knowing the right way to employ this so precious and powerful tool, the Word of Truth.

A firm foundation – verse 19

This verse is like a parenthesis between the two themes in this section of the chapter: Words and Vessels. "Words" (i.e., doctrines of various kinds) can confuse the believer, but the Lord knows each of His children - the new birth in Christ is a truth (John 10:14) and the right path for such is to separate themselves from sin (Isaiah 52:11).

Vessels in the house – verses 20 to 26

The servant of God should strive to be a vessel or utensil “for honour" in the house of God, which is the Church. In any "great house" there is furniture, vessels and utensils of various qualities and different types, each placed in its proper place - kitchen, bedroom, living room, dining room, children's room etc. Each vessel, be it made of gold, of silver or porcelain, or wood, has its own place and use.

Dishes and cups of gold, for example, would not be put in the kitchen, but in the dining room (in the mansion of a wealthy man, no doubt); beautiful and comfortable chairs will go to the living room and the more common are for the bedroom of children, and so on.

However, broken furniture or dishes, a clock that does not work (or does not indicate the right time), a beautiful but dirty bed, do not give "honour" to their owner. The vessels of gold, for example, of the temple of God in Jerusalem were for His honour but the same vessels at the iniquitous feast of Belshazzar brought him no honour at all. The Israelite girl in the house of the great Naaman was of little value but she was a vessel of honour to him (and to God) when she showed him the way to cure his leprosy!

Thus, we understand that "honour" of the vessel does not consist of its intrinsic value (gold, silver, wood), but rather in its correct or useless functioning, according to the purpose of the owner. In the Church of Christ, there are several types of service and servants, each servant with his particular capabilities and each type of service with its respective responsibilities. As servants, we are golden (as Paul?), or silver or wood, according to our individual capabilities, but this is not our responsibility ... Are we faithfully or not carrying out the service due from us in the place that the Lord of the house placed us? There is where the "honour" or "dishonour” that we will bring to the Lord will be. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) teaches this truth.

a) Things that dishonour God (vs. 21-23). The servant who wants to be a vessel of honour to the Lord must avoid certain evils mentioned in this text:

1. Errors already noted in the previous verses - strife, idle and secular talk, false teachings.
2. All kinds of injustice.
3. The passions of youth - impurity, impatience, laziness, immoderate pleasures.
4. Silly questions on matters that are not worth discussing: they waste time and annoy the spirit.

b) Things that honour God (vs. 24-26). Here are some qualities that belong to the servant of God who wants to be a vessel of honour to his Lord:

1. He avoids contention and knows how to instruct spiritual things with patience without irritating or humiliating those who listen.
2. In the event of opposition or of clearly sinful conduct, where you have to discipline the guilty, this will be done with a sincere desire for spiritual restoration of the guilty person so that he does not continue in bondage to Satan.

Note: With respect to v. 20, a common explanation says that the vessels of gold and silver are the "vessels unto honour" and that the wood and clay are "to dishonour". This is possible, but the exhortation of v. 21 is clearly based on the distinction in honour, not in material. For, while the purification or cleaning can make a tool (whatever its material) become more useful and enjoyable to its owner, no cleaning will turn a vessel of wood into vessel of gold, or one of clay into one of silver. However, a vessel of gold or silver may become dirty or broken and therefore useless, just like one of wood or clay.

All vessels belong equally to the Lord of the great house and each of them has its own use. Whether we are “vessels of gold" (with many talents), or "vessels of wood" (more commonly), our duty is to separate ourselves from all that is sinful or dubious, so that we may be clean vessels. A clay pot which is clean is more useful to its owner than a golden utensil which is dirty and defective.

 

Richard Dawson Jones (1895 - 1987)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 

 

 

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 
26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

 

 

2 Timothy chapter 2 v erses 14 to 26