(1) 2:20 Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.
2:21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
For a vessel to qualify for honorable use it has to have certain quality. For a servant of God to be honorable, we need to cleanse ourselves, to set apart therefore we are useful.
(NET) “for dishonor,” probably referring to vessels used for refuse or excrement.
For a vessel to qualify for honorable use it has to have certain quality. For a servant of God to be honorable, we need to cleanse ourselves, to set apart therefore we are useful.
(2) 2:22a But keep away from youthful passions...2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies...v.24b ...must not engage in heated disputes...
What Paul meant to cleanse ourselves or keep away from youth passions v.22, was to reject the controversies in v.23.
Pursue...peace v.22, kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient v.24, correcting opponents with gentleness v.25..
Of course, those who Timothy disagreed with were wrong (v.18), but the attitude of Timothy was not to argue or having the heated disputes with them. Why?
v.25b ...Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth 2:26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.
(BKC) The goal is always remedial, never punitive, when dealing with brethren (cf. 2 Thes. 3:6, 15). The purpose must always be to edify Christ’s body, not tear it down (cf. 1 Cor. 14:26). Thus when brethren fall into false teaching they must be treated with gentleness and Christian love in the hope that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil (cf. Gal. 5:1; 1 Tim. 3:7; 6:9) who has taken them captive to do his will.
(3) Reflection: Even for opponents, Paul taught Timothy to think of them as someone possible to repent. They were like them just because they were under the influence of Satan. We are to tear down a person, but to edify them. I always have a hard time to do this. Held down my anger and teach. Do you?
Audrey
Comments