Read 2 Timothy 2: 14-3:9.
In Timothy’s time, what were examples of vessels of honor and dishonor? Whom did these vessels represent? The problems the false teachers are causing in the house churches of Ephesus. Paul sees a contrast between a godly leader in Timothy and the ungodly leaders. Paul uses an illustration to show the differences between two open vessels.
A large house, where the wealthy live, has gold and silver for honorable purposes, such as a vase to beautify the home and pots or dishes for meals. There are also vessels of clay and wood in the same house for dishonorable purposes, such as collecting garbage or body waste. Let’s remember our time frame. In Timothy and Paul’s time frame, there was no indoor plumbing. The people in those days would have to use dishonorable pots for human waste and then move it far away from the house.
What did these verses of Scripture mean to Timothy? What do these verses of 2 Timothy 2: 14-3:9 mean to believers today? What determines whether we are vessels of honor or dishonor for God to use? There are four principles to guide believers today to be vessels of honor rather than vessels of dishonor. Paul makes a sobering point: Our choices determine whether God will use us as a “vessel of honor, or dishonor.”
Read 2 Timothy 2: 14-18. To whom does “them” refer in verse 14? To what does “these things” refer in verses 14? To be a vessel of honor, we need to stay focused on the faith’s A, B, and C’s. Paul is not expecting the false teachers to disappear. He is warning that it will spread like gangrene, a disease that infects the body, causing the flesh to die and rot and die. Paul is making a comparison of gangrene and false teachers. The false teaching is like the gangrene that spreads through the body of Christ, killing the faith of many believers. Paul is telling Timothy to remind the believers of these things – the gospel.
Read Titus 3:1-11. What does Paul contrast with fundamental truths of the faith? Focusing on the A, B, C’s of faith requires us to read the bible, focusing on the topics God wants us to learn, discuss, and meditate on. God doesn’t want us to be arguing about controversies such as the location of Noah’s ark. Studying God’s word and not arguing over it is being an honorable vessel.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray that we will be an honorable vessel for you in your kingdom.
In Jesus Name
Amen
