“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20–21
In ancient Roman homes, most people used wood or clay pots for everyday use. The rich used gold and silver dishes for special occasions. There were no garbage disposals or indoor plumbing, so they also used wood and clay pots to remove garbage and excrement from their homes. Paul is talking about the church in Verses 20 and 21 and tells Timothy that in God’s house there are useful people who are meant for noble purposes and others for dishonorable purposes.
If you want to be useful to God, be a noble vessel. Cleanse yourself from the things Paul mentioned in Chapters 1 and 2: false teaching and evil lifestyles. In the church, we think of our usefulness in terms of our gifting or skills. I’m convinced that if we really want to be useful in God’s hands, we should devote our energies to holiness.
Don’t be a punk
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22
Many people interpret “youthful passions” to mean sexual immorality. I don’t believe that’s what this verse is referring to. I think this has more to do with youthful desires, which aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s the object of those desires that make it negative or positive. Timothy is in his 30s and probably has a disposition toward youthful ambitions. If you look at the context of the passage, I think he’s saying don’t be immature, ideological, arrogant, and brash. He’s essentially telling Timothy to not be a young punk.
Instead, he should pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love that is others focused, and peace. The big idea is if you really want to be useful to God, be like a gold and silver vessel—cleanse yourself. Notice the end of that verse where it talks about the pure heart. The idea of regeneration is, first there’s a changed heart and then words, thoughts, and actions flow out of the heart. If your identity is in Christ, your primary identity is a pure heart, so live out of that through repentance and being open about your sin.
Dumb controversies (often online)
“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:23–25a
Some controversies in Christendom are dumb. They breed quarrels and aren’t helpful to the body of Christ. Be careful in what you engage in online and in social media. It will very rarely be a good testimony to people who don’t know Jesus. The opposite of being argumentative and quarrelsome is being kind and respectful. Paul tells Timothy he needs to endure criticism and be gentle. It’s critically important to possess a meek, gentle, humble tone as we engage and debate heretics. If we can act in that way, “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (v. 25b).
What is it that leads us to repentance biblically? Is it the threat of judgment or the kindness of God? No, it’s his kindness and mercy that leads us to repentance. We have to remember that when we engage with people who don’t know Jesus. With kindness and mercy is how our God approaches us.
Questions
- Are you pursuing holiness? The most important thing you can do if you want to be used by God is to first and foremost focus on being holy and set apart. Be men and women who are growing consistently and progressively to become more and more like Jesus.
- Are you fleeing youthful ambitions? You can be young and not be immature. I want young men and women to find a pure heart in Jesus.
- Are you kind to everyone? I believe one of the clearest evidences of Jesus in your heart is you’re kind to people. You treat everyone in the same way, with respect and kindness. I love people who, the more difficult things get, the kinder they are. Stress ultimately reveals what’s in the heart.
This is Pastor Dave’s sixth post on 2 Timothy. Check out parts one, two, three, four, and five.
