The Vessel We Need to Be

2 Timothy 2:20-21

Pastorals: Message Thirty

ETS: Paul encouraged Timothy to purify himself that he might be a useful vessel for the Lord.

ESS: We need to purify ourselves in order to the vessel the Lord desires of us.

OSS: [MO: Consecrative] {SO: I want the hearers to separate themselves from anything that would hinder their being used by the Lord.}

PQ: What observations can we examine in this passage?

UW: Observations

Intro.: Regarding verses 14-19, they key idea is that Timothy (and us) be a diligent worker for the Lord- one who seeks the approval of the Lord, one who is not ashamed in his study of the Word, and one who is able to teach the Word. Verses 20-21 further the idea by using a metaphor to paint a picture in order to clarify Paul’s encouragement. A diligent worker is one who also recognizes his calling and how to navigate it even amidst difficult circumstances like the church of Ephesus.

TS: Let us now examine a few observations in this text together:

The first observation is the contrast. (v. 20a)

The two sets of contrast are between gold/silver and wood/clay and their functionalities within the house.

This refers to the different utensils within a house (i.e. fine china would be gold/silver; regular utensils would be wood/clay). Both utensils are functional and serve their rightful purpose within the house.

The second observation is the symbolism. (v. 20b-21)

The contrasts represented in this verse also has symbolic significance: the metaphor does not refer to the actual utensil (or person by application) but rather to the work/function (or fruits/evidence by application) of the utensil. Thus, under consideration here is the reality that some utensils have a nobler purpose or function than others. Donald Guthrie actually suggested that in context, the utensils actually fall beneath the shadows while the function or works/purpose is what is in view under the light (Guthrie, 168-69). Furthermore, Tony Merida recommended that the imagery referred to the type of teacher in terms of their message rather than the actual teacher himself. He suggested that the ones honorable are those such as Paul and Timothy who teach the truth whereas the dishonorable are those such as Hymenaeus and Philetus. (Merida, 176-177).

The third observation is the vessel that we need to be. (v. 21)

The Greek reads, “Therefore if anyone purifies (cleanses) himself away from these things [referring to dishonorable, false teachings]...” This is a third class conditional subjunctive of probable future condition dependent upon the condition being fulfilled.

Thus, the following defines the kind of vessel we need to be:

One who practices repentance (v. 19 and 21). Regarding this, Thomas D. Lea wrote that Paul’s concern here is more about the teaching rather than the individual- we are to separate ourselves from the false teaching, not breaking away from the individual (separate from sin, not the sinner).

Honorable vessel (v. 21b)

Set apart or holy- specifically meaning to be set apart or sanctified for the Lord’s service

useful to the Master (21c)

ready/prepared for every good work (21d).

This definition of a vessel is what every believer should desire. To be honorable in our work, set apart by and for God, useful to God, and prepared for anything laid before us by God.

CONCLUSION: As we study this and make these observations, what does the message of your life look like? Are you an honorable vessel unto the Lord? Do you intentionally separate yourselves from anything that is not beneficial to the Kingdom of God? Let us desire to be honorable, set apart, useful to the Lord, and ready for every good work He lays before us!