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2 Timothy 2:20–21
In 2 Timothy 2:20 the Apostle Paul changes gears to give us an example of his teachings to Timothy. He had placed Timothy in the leadership role at the church in Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). It is believed through archeological findings that there may have been numerous very large, grand, great houses at Ephesus as Paul describes in 2 Timothy 2:20. It is also very possible that the church in Ephesus was held in such a house. By utilizing a “great house” (2 Timothy 2:20, NKJV), Paul would have been comparing the people of the church at Ephesus to the “vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay” (2 Timothy 2:20).
Paul instructs in 2 Timothy 2:21, “21Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” The vessels of gold and silver are those who have opened their hearts to God’s calling on their lives and are actively pursuing to follow that calling. The vessels of wood and clay are those who feel that simply being in the congregation is enough to satisfy their duties to God and have not yet accepted God’s calling on their lives.
This is a promise that we all have a calling from God to share His love through His particular calling on the individual.
This is an example that there are those in the congregation that are yet to receive and put into action their calling from God.
I truly believe that God has a purpose and calling for everyone, everywhere. The Bible teaches us that not everyone will open their hearts to receive that calling. The Apostle Peter proclaims in one of his great sermons, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38–39).
The Apostle Peter gives encouragement and instruction for those who are gold and silver, along with those who are wood and clay, that we all may be the people God is calling us to be, as he declares in 2 Peter 1:5–11, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Dear LORD,
There is encouragement for all who are in the congregation – who are willing to hear the message of the gospel. But You call us to not only be in attendance but to be an active part of sharing the message of the gospel through our lives. We all do not have to be preachers or evangelists, but You have a calling on all our lives to be an example to others of the love of Christ Jesus that You have filled our hearts with through the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit upon being saved through our faith in You and Your abundant grace to us. Whether we are the gold and silver, or the wood and the clay of the congregation, please give us the encouragement and conviction to stand up and be active for Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.