Vessels Unto Honor

“”But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” II Timothy 2:20, 21

Here the church, or the body of Christ, is depicted as a house or dwelling place with some furniture of great value; some of smaller value, and put to meager use or no use at all. Today, as well as in Biblical days vessels used around the house have their place of service. Expensive vessels are reserved for special purposes. The cheapest vessels are expendable and in some cases thrown or given away if rendered unuseful.

The materials used in the building (Church) may be interpreted in at least four ways:

(a) The gold, silver, costly stones refer to the enduring quality of the builder’s work; and the wood, hay, or straw suggest work that is temporary and valueless. This view is supported by “work” (v. 13) and “what he has built” (v. 14). (b