2 Timothy 2:20-26: a reflection

20Now in a large house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of clay. Some are for honor and some for dishonor. 21If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work. 22Flee from youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. 24The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient, 25in gentleness correcting those who oppose him. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth, 26and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Paul gives Timothy a picture of a large house, in which there are vessels of many kinds, some of gold and silver for honorable use, some of wood and clay for common use. And he draws a lesson: 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. The way to become a vessel fit for honor and use is to be cleansed from what defiles.

Notice what makes a vessel useful to the Master: cleansing. Paul does not say that some are simply born golden vessels and others common; he says that the one who cleanses himself from what is dishonorable becomes a vessel for honor, useful, ready for good work. It is not natural gifting that fits us for the Master's use, but cleansing from sin, turning from what defiles, so that we become fit vessels he can use. Usefulness to God flows from being clean.

That gives us a clear path toward being useful to God. We may long to be useful to him, to be vessels he can employ for good work; and Paul tells us how: by cleansing ourselves from what is dishonorable, turning from the sins and impurities that make us unfit. This is not about natural talent, but about a life cleansed and set apart. If you would be useful to the Master, cleanse yourself from what defiles; flee from what corrupts, pursue righteousness and a pure heart, and offer yourself to God as a clean vessel he can use. The Master has good work to do, and he uses vessels made fit for honor; be cleansed, and be ready for his use.

Lord, Paul pictures a house with vessels for honorable and common use, and teaches that the one who cleanses himself from what is dishonorable becomes a vessel for honor, useful to the Master, ready for every good work. Show me that path toward being useful to you. I long to be useful to you, a vessel you can employ for good work; and Paul tells me how: by cleansing myself from what is dishonorable, turning from the sins and impurities that make me unfit. This is not about natural talent, but about a life cleansed and set apart. If I would be useful to you, help me cleanse myself from what defiles; help me flee from what corrupts, pursue righteousness and a pure heart, and offer myself to you as a clean vessel you can use. You have good work to do, and you use vessels made fit for honor; cleanse me, and make me ready for your use.