2 Timothy 2:²⁰ Now in a large (megas: Great, large, mighty, from which we get “mega”) house there are not only gold and silver implements (skeuos: Vessel, implement, container, instrument), but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Let’s make this practical. In our house, our kitchen has several different types of vessels or containers that hold things. We have the fancy Christmas dishes that stay in a cabinet above the frig to be pulled out at Christmas only. We have some fancy crystal drinking glasses over in an antique china cabinet that we pull out for special occasions only. We heave regular dishes, glasses, cups plates, and saucers that we use all the time. We have regular cooking pots but then we also have fancy cooking pots. Obviously we have some vessels that are held in higher honor than others. But we also have a garbage bin or trash can that we put leftover food and trash in. We have a garbage disposal that we put leftover or bad food in. They do not have much honor in our kitchen. Even these vessels are needed and part of our kitchen.

It is the same with God’s vessels, i.e. Christians. Some Christians are very special to God, useful for doing His work. Some will bear more fruit and do more good works for God, but they are “useful”, “prepared for every good work”. Matthew 13:²³ But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.” Some Christians are not useful at all. They might still be saved by God’s grace, but they bear little or no fruit. Maybe Luke 8:14 they are the thorny soil that is so preoccupied by the worries, riches and pleasures of this life that they bear no fruit. 1 Peter 1:⁸ For if these qualities (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

So how does a Christian become more “useful”, sanctified (i.e. set apart for special use), prepared for every good work? 1) By cleansing ourselves from worthless debates over words and issues, and foolish and ignorant speculations 2:23. 2) By cleansing ourselves from “youthful lusts” (youthful b/c Paul is writing to a young man Timothy but lusts apply to all of us. Then, once you have done a “self-cleansing”, pursue ” righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Back to the kitchen analogy. You might have a special Christmas pot, but it has some very old moldy food in it from being in the frig several days. It is of no use until you get rid of the old food, cleanse it (wash it), and then you can use it to put the meat or potatoes that you just cooked. But you must get rid of the bad food, cleanse it, and then you can use it for good food. Too many of us who are supposed to be special vessels of the gospel for God to us are of no value b/c we have so many hidden sins. Our motives for even going to church are not pure. We must get rid of the bad sins and pursue the good things Paul spoke of. Then we will be of use for the Master.

2 Corinthians 4:⁷ But we have this treasure (the saving gospel) in earthen containers (skeuos: Vessel, implement, container, instrument, same as 2 Tim 2:20), so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” It is amazing that God would send His Son to die horribly on the cross for our sins but then entrust the spreading of the gospel with weak, fallible humans. If God wants everyone to hear the gospel, which he does, and be saved, why not some miraculous way that doesn’t depend on humans? I can’t imagine how that could be. At least in the first century, He gave miraculous gifts to apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders and teachers (Eph 4:11) to spread the gospel and deliver the once for all time truth. But then (I am a cessationist who believe those miracles have ceased) the miracles stopped by the end of the first century and since then it is uninspired, fallible men who have interpreted and spread the Bible and the gospel. Not only that, men have engaged in endless debate over the Bible and what it means. Others have gone off into “foolish speculation” (like the book of Mormon) and cults. So if you are trying to teach the Bible and the gospel to others, it can easily end up in debate, arguments, quarrels, pride, dissention, division, etc. So how does that special vessel of the gospel handle such debates? 2 Timothy 2:²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” With a gentle, loving disposition. Not argumentative or quarrelsome. Patient. Skillful in teaching (you must know the book backward and forward). You can’t let your pride get in the way. If the false teacher attacks you, you must turn the other cheek and turn it over to God. Be kind, not overly aggressive or pushy. Be a good listener and try to find points of agreement if there are any. I’m afraid a lot of the preachers in my denomination didn’t do all that. Many of them stood in the pulpit openly judging and condemning people in different denominations. Their attitude hindered many from accepting truth even if they were teaching truth. Many times they were too blind to see the legitimate points of the opponent.

So, an interesting section.