This week’s passage is split across two images that Paul uses to convey to Timothy his role as a believer and as a minister. First, he wraps up his discussion of the image of a workman with a couple of quotes. And then he shifts to the image of a household utensil.

This passage is bit longer than usual. You can see it in 2 Timothy 2:19-21:

As Paul works his way through this chapter, he has described ministry as several different images: He has used the image of a son (verses 1-2), a soldier (verses 3-4), an athlete (verse 5), a farmer (verses 6-13), and a workman (verses 14-19) so far. Now we will look at the illustration of a utensil (verses 20-23). There is one more image in this chapter to look at; the image of a servant (verses 24-27) will conclude the chapter.

First, however, Paul wraps up his discussion of the workman with two quotes. As Timothy addresses the false teaching that has infiltrated the church in Ephesus, Paul encourages him by stating that God’s foundation is solid. There is some speculation as to just what Paul is referring to with the idea of a foundation. There are five major options:

• The church in general (see 1 Timothy 3:15)
• The faithful believers in the Ephesian church
• The faith in general
• Christ specifically (see 1 Corinthians 3:10-12)
• The apostles and prophets, with their messages

While any of these certainly fit here, the context seems to indicate that Paul is referring to something broad in the context. In essence, what Paul is saying is that God has accomplished something that is so solid that it cannot be shaken, regardless of what any false teachers may stir up.

Paul confirms this with a couple of quotes. The first is taken from Numbers 16:5, where Korah and his followers rebelled against the Lord and against Moses. Numbers tells us that God knows those who belong to him and those who do not. Paul refers to this as “sealed with an inscription.” This is the practice, common in ancient times, and still seen today, of inscribing the purpose of a building on a foundation stone. Many buildings are still being built with such an inscription in place, indicating the purpose and the ownership of the building. In the same way, those believers who belong to God have been sealed. He has identified his loyal followers, and those who aren’t his are not sealed.

The second quote that Paul states here has no specific reference in the Old Testament. There are many places that it could have come from, including a loose paraphrase of Moses instructions to the assembly in Numbers 16:26, as God is preparing to destroy Korah and his rebellious followers. Others have suggested that it may be a summation of several other Old Testament passages that instruct us to avoid wickedness. Or, it might simply be another “trustworthy saying” or other common proverb that Timothy and the church in Ephesus may have been familiar with.

From here, Paul turns to his next example of this chapter, a household utensil.

The Illustration

Paul describes the role of believers as items commonly found in any house. There are different varieties of such items. His description here seems to indicate that he is specifically using vessels of various sorts as the idea he wants Timothy to understand. Some vessels are valuable, and used for honorable purposes, such as gold or silver platters or dishes that would be used for meals, special events or feasts. But in any given house, there are other vessels as well. These aren’t used for the same purposes. Many may be used to store leftovers, or to carry garbage, or even be used as waste receptacles such as a bedpan or toilet. Such vessels are not used in an honorable way, they are ignoble,or dishonorable vessels.

The Application

In 1 Corinthians 12:21-24, Paul explains that God can use any vessel, no matter what it is. That is not his point here, however. Rather, he seems to be saying that Timothy, and the believers in the Ephesian church need to decide what kind of vessel they want to be. Paul is encouraging Timothy and the other believers to strive to be the honorable vessels, ones that are cleansed from wickedness, made holy and set apart for use by the Master. God is not going to be able to use any of us if we refuse to open our lives to his leading and his work. But, if we make every effort to remain true to the message of the gospel, then he will be able to use us. We will be honorable and noble vessels, such as those found in the temple used for worship, set apart and made holy (1 Peter 2:9).

Only then will he be able to use us for the good works he has created us for. Timothy, and the church in Ephesus, and us today, will be ready to take advantage of any opportunity to do good, to be generous, to impact others with an eternal significance. Paul’s emphasis on good works is a common theme throughout the letters to Timothy and Titus, not because they are able to save us in and of themselves, but because of the fact that we have been saved, and desire to honor God with our lives as a result.

This is one of the shorter illustrations in this chapter, but that does not lessen its impact. What Paul has instructed Timothy also apples to us. We must decide just what kind of vessel we want to be, and allow God to use us to his glory as a result. Nothing less is sufficient.

What kind of vessel have you chosen to be? Is this reflected in your life? How do you keep this goal in place? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.