Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 2:20

"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." — 2 Timothy 2:20 (ASV)

Having drawn at some length the contrast between true and false teachers (vv.14–19), Paul now points up a second contrast—that between noble and ignoble vessels. Both will be found in the church. “In a large house,” where a wealthy man lives, “there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay.” Those that are gold certainly receive honor by the owner. Some less eminent articles are “of silver.” But others are of “wood” (e.g., wooden bowls for holding flour) or “clay” (e.g., pottery). The latter two have a more mundane use.

We find the same two expressions in Ro 9:21. In the verses that follow there we find that the former vessels are “objects of [God’s] mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory” (v.23), whereas the latter are “objects of his wrath— prepared for destruction” (v.22).

On the basis of this, as well as the context here in 2 Timothy, some scholars feel that the articles for ignoble purposes are the false teachers in the church (vv.16–18), who are destined for eternal destruction. In that case, “if a man cleanses himself from the latter” (v.21) means that Timothy must expel from the church the ignoble members.

Another interpretation is less drastic. It holds that in the local congregation are members who are prepared for “noble purposes” and others who are fitted for more menial tasks. Both have their place and function in the church.

Verse 21 would then mean that the individual who cleanses himself from “the latter” (perhaps false teachings) will be “an instrument for noble purposes.” He will be “made holy” (GK 39), will be “useful to the Master,” and will be “prepared to do any good work.” Both of these interpretations seem valid. Since we cannot be sure which one Paul had in mind, we can make both applications.