2 Timothy 2:20-23

f.

As a utensil 2 Timothy 2:20-23

Text 2:20-23

20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. 21 If a man, therefore, purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work. 22 But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and ignorant questionings refuse, knowing that they gender strifes.

Thought Questions 2:20-23

124.

To what does the expression, great house, refer?

125.

Who or what are the vessels?

126.

The composition of the vessels is determined by someone other than the vessel. Are we to understand that we are predestinated to he either gold, silver, wood, or earth?

127.

If the great house is the Church, how could there be dishonorable vessels in it?

128.

From what should a man purge himself?

129.

Is Paul saying in 2 Timothy 2:21 that a silver and gold vessel should clean itself up for better use? Or is he saying a wooden or clap vessel can change its nature and become gold or silver? Or is there yet another possibility? Please think carefully on this.

130.

Discuss the meaning and use of the term, sanctified, as in 2 Timothy 2:21. Do the same with the word, meet.

131.

Specify some of the youthful lusts. Why are some desires particularly associated with youth? Is this a hard-and-fast rule?

132.

Read 1 Timothy 6:11 and compare it with 2 Timothy 2:22. Show what 2 Timothy 2:22 adds to 1 Timothy 6:11.

133.

How does the possession of a pure heart relate to the context?

134.

Are the foolish and ignorant questionings of 2 Timothy 2:23 the same as those mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:16? If so, why mention them again?

Paraphrase 2:20-23

20 Think it not strange that God permits wicked teachers to be in His Church. In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earthenware, and some of these vessels are destined to an honourable, and some to a dishonourable use.
21 If then, a teacher will cleanse himself well from these things, namely, from false doctrine, corrupt affections, and sinful actions, he will be a vessel appointed to an honourable use in the Church, consecrated, and very profitable for God's use, Who is the master of the house or church, being prepared for every good work.
22 Flee, therefore, those youthful lusts which young men placed over others are prone to indulge, and which render them unfit for the master's use: But pursue righteousness, fidelity, love, and peace, especially with them who worship the Lord from a pure heart.

23 Moreover, foolish and untaught questions (Titus 3:9) reject, knowing that they beget fightings.

Comment 2:20-23

2 Timothy 2:20. We take the reference to vessels in the great house to be church members, in the same sense that the wheat and tares of Jesus-' parable were in the Church; and in the same sense that the good and bad fish of the parable of the net were in the church.

This is particularly a discussion of conditions existing in the churches in Ephesus and the province of Asia; however, what was true then is true now. In the great present day House of God there are indeed a variety of vessels. Some are valuable and profitable in the Lord's service (perhaps we should say, a few are), but many are as wood and earth in their value and service to our Lord.

2 Timothy 2:21. From what is a man to purge himself? Before we answer this question, please attempt to understand the figure here used. There are two types of vessels: one honorablerepresented by those of silver and gold; the other dishonorablerepresented by those of wood and earth. All Christians are in one class or the other. We are either honorable or dishonorable; we are either silver and gold or wood and earth. In the church at Ephesus were Hymenaeus and Philetus and their followers, as well as Timothy and certain faithful men. Timothy and those who were faithful to Christ were not to be contaminated by certain filthy members; they must purge themselves, or wash themselves, of them. In so doing they will become vessels unto honor: Set apart for the Master's use. On the other hand, if any one of the dishonorable vessels chose to follow in the way of truth instead of error, they could, and would become vessels of honor. By their own choice they set themselves aside as useable in the Lord's House. We realize how abrupt is the Change in the figure and also how the analogy is pressed beyond logic, but we honestly feel this is the meaning of the inspired writer.

2 Timothy 2:22. In order to be of honorable use in the great House of God, Paul admonishes Timothy to run away from youthful desires, Just what are those desires and why are they called youthful? We must not confine them to the lust of the flesh or sins of sex, although we should not exclude such. Mark once again that Paul does not say to fight and oppose such desires; to do such is not to win by overcoming them, but to lose by being overcome by them. The victor's crown belongs to the one who runs away, This is psychologically sound, for when we turn to run away, we transfer our attention and interest and thus break the hold of our previous interest. However, mark well that we are to have something from which to run. Pride, anger and prejudice are as much a part of youthful lusts as passion.

Paul has given almost the same advice to Timothy in his first letter. Read 1 Timothy 6:11. We discussed those virtues at length in the first letter. Peace is the only additional virtue here specified. Perhaps it is included because of the need for this quality in face of the strife certain persons were attempting to bring into the church,

There are others in this pursuit after holiness of character. They are those who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. What a beautifully descriptive phrase. This is that profitable, valuable, pure company: those in whose hearts insincerity has no place.

2 Timothy 2:23. Such advice as given in 2 Timothy 2:23 must have been very much needed, for it was given twice before. Cf. 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; also 2 Timothy 2:16. Do not dignify such foolish and ignorant questions with your attention. Avoid them in any way you can that will not bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Titus was given the same admonition. Cf. Titus 3:9. Such questionings, while having no useful end, tend to mere empty controversy, arousing the worst passions and breeding bitter enmities. (Harvey)

Fact Questions 2:20-23

101.

In what sense are the vessels in the great house church members?

102.

There are only two kinds of vessels in God's House. What are they?

103.

2 Timothy 2:20 has a real application to the present church; show how.

104.

From what is a man to purge himself? When he does, what will this do for him?

105.

Is it possible for a wood or clay vessel to become one of silver or gold? How?

106.

Why flee youthful lusts? Why not stand up and fight them like a man?

107.

What is meant by calling on the Lord out of a pure heart?

108.

Why refuse to answer some questions?