Honorable Vessels

2 Timothy 2-Part 10
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.  2 Timothy 2:20


LET IT GLOW

In our homes we all have various tools, utensils, and furniture. In my kitchen are valued items used for special occassions, such as crystal, china, and  silverware for serving family and guests food. Along with those, I have everyday, inexpensive items, such as plastic cups, chipped glassware, and nonsilverware utinsils, and items used for disposing of garbage. This comparison is similar to what Paul uses in reference to vessels of honor and dishonor. Let's look at verse 20.

The sixth example Paul used to illustrate the life of a good minister/Christian is that of  the vessels.

Paul has been using the picture of God's building, so now he thinks of that structure as a great house, in which there is a variety of vessels. Some of these vessels are made of gold and silver for honor, like fine dishes, china, and some are made of wood and clay for dishonor, such as a garbage bin or an ashtray. (David Guzik)

"The believer is now part of the great house of God being paralleled here," says Liberty Bible Commentary.

Which kind of vessel am I-honorable or dishonorable?


LET IT GROW

Verse 21 says: If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We see Paul introducing a condition, "if," that is followed by four "then" results. The only condition for becoming a vessel of honor is to cleanse oneself from all things dishonorable. It places the responsibility for cleansing with the individual. The issue isn't salvation, but service. Believers are positionally cleansed of sin, declared righteous in the court of heaven, and set apart for good works. The Holy Spirit must guide us through a process of sanctification. While He will be faithful to complete the task, He nevertheless calls us to participate in His cleansing program. (Swindoll)

A long time before (this) Paul said, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate..." (2 Cor. 6:17). God doesn't play favorites, but He is holy and cannot use unholy vessels.

Here is what Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus has to say:

Once the condition has been met, four results follow:

1. The person becomes a "vessel for honor."  This phrase describes the container's intended purpose. The cleansed vessel will serve an honorable role.
2. The person is "sanctified." They are set apart for a specifice purpose. I don't use kitchen knives to repair something in the garage. Those utensils are reserved for food preparation. Similarly, cleased vessels are stored in a special place and used only for their intended functions.
3. The person is "useful to the Master." The adjective means "valuable" or "profitable." Working in machine shop, I discovered I could turn out high-quality parts only when I used high-quality tools. That's when I learned to prize fine tools.
4. The person is "prepared for every good work."  The verb translated "prepared" can be literally rendered, "one who has been made ready and remains so."

"Associating with anyone who teaches error and lives in sin is corrupting (1 Cor. 5:6, 11). This is a clear call to separate from all who claim to serve God, but do so as filthy implements useful only for the most dishonorable duties," states MacArthur Bible Commentary.

Paul is telling Timothy to separate himself from false teachers. If he did, then God would honor him, set him apart, and equip him for service. What an honor to be "useful to the Master."
Do I watch out with who I associate?


LET IT GO

Be an honorable vessel for the Lord to use.

Be a vessel that's clean, set apart, obedient, and prepared to say "yes" when my Master gives me a job to do for Him.