2 Timothy 2:21

εὔχρηστον. καί is prefixed in the rec. text, following אcC*KLP; א*AD2*EG omit it. Versions may be cited on both sides, but on such a point their evidence is not very convincing.

21. ἐὰν οὖν τις ἐκκαθάπῃ ἑαυτὸν�. If a man therefore purge himself from these. Quite generally it may be necessary from time to time to cast out the ‘vessels for dishonour’; here St Paul seems specially to have had in mind Timothy’s situation in respect of the ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι. It will be a stern duty to ‘purge himself’ from them. For ἐκκαθαίρειν cp. 1 Corinthians 5:7.

ἕσται σκεῦος εἰς τιμήν, he shall be a vessel unto honour. (Cp. Acts 9:15, σκεῦος ἐκλογῆς.) Otherwise, we know that “evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

ἡγιασμένον, sanctified. For this word as applied to believers by St Paul cp. Romans 15:16 and Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18.

εὔχρηστον τῷ δεσπότῃ, meet for the master’s, or owner’s, use. See crit. note. εὔχρηστος is only found again in N.T. 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:11.

For δεσπότης see on 1 Timothy 6:1.

εἰς πᾶν ἔργον�, prepared unto every good work. Cp. ch. 2 Timothy 3:17; Titus 3:1; and cp. also 2 Corinthians 9:8; Titus 1:16. As it is true that the ἔργα� are prepared of God for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), so it is also true, and equally important to remember, that God’s servants must be on their part prepared for these ἔργα�.