2 Timothy 2:20-26 (NKJV) But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore 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. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
V20 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.” The house is us. Each individual is a house. In our lives are good things (fruit of the Spirit) and bad things (lusts of the flesh). If we rid ourselves of the bad things, we are more ready and able to serve the Lord in holiness. We need God’s help for this: 1) we are attached to the vine, which is Jesus (John 15:4-5), 2) prayer (Hebrews 4:16), 3) God is honored when He helps us (Psalm 109:26-27), 4) the Lord never forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5), 5) trust in Him (Psalm 124:8-9), 6) we need knowledge of God’s help (Jeremiah 32:17), and 7) patience (Psalm 27:14).
V21 “Therefore 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 Greek word for “cleanses” is (G1571) ἐκκαθαίρω ekkathaírō which means throughly and completely cleaning out the dirt. How do we clean ourselves? We accomplish this by 1) recognition (from knowing and studying the Scriptures plus the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit), 2) confession (to God), asking for assistance (prayer), and 3) striving (determination) to avoid the bad things, those of dishonor. We have a responsibility. Some examples might be Gideon (fear as in Judges 6, 7, and 8), Thomas (doubt as in John 20:24-29), and the priests in King Hezekiah’s time (various condemnations and needing sanctifying as in 2 Chronicles 29:15- 18 and 2 Chronicles 29:34). Note, how God gently leads them to throw out the bad. Once prepared, then we ready to serve. What are some dishonorable things in our lives?
V22 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Many fleshly lusts are stronger when we are young such as impatience, impulsiveness, etc. We are not to pursue them; we are to flee from them. We need self-control (2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Peter 1:5-7, Titus 2:11-12). How to we develop self-control? We do that by 1) parental training, 2) learning when we’re young to handle frustration, 3) learning from failures, and 4) learning contentment. What we are to seek? We are to seek 1) righteousness (thinking and living according to the Law of Christ), 2) faith (believing God), 3) love (a choice to be kind, respectful, compassionate to all as much as is possible), and 4) peace (not seeking revenge, no verbal abuse, gaslighting, etc.). With those refers to other believers who are seeking the same things. We are a Christian family. A pure heart signifies that we are both a Christian and are seeking the things of the Kingdom of God.
V23 “But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” This applies not only pastors and church leaders but all of us need to avoid foolish disputes. These foolish disputes are getting into arguments of stupid things as those who ask questions but do not listen to answers, or challenge questions that are asked only to start an argument. Another thing to avoid is ignorant disputes, for example, those who think they know something but don’t know what they’re talking about. Instead of listening, they challenge the pastor or Christian in order to start an argument. All they want is to win an argument. These people often initiate angry arguments. We need to quit and refuse to be sucked into these discussions.
V24 “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” We must have convictions based on Scriptures and be consistent. We have two options: 1) be argumentative or 2) not be argumentative. Being gentle, speaking softly instead of a challenging authoritarian voice. All servants of the Lord Jesus must be gentle to all, able to teach (formal or informal), and patient. We must study the Scriptures in order to give a proper answer. Patience is important because sometimes we do not understand something at first, so the teacher must repeat the answer.
V25 “…in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth…” This applies to doctrinal errors and actives not in accord to God’s Word. When needed, correction is good and proper, but correction must be in a loving and truthfully but firm manner especially (Matthew 16:23). If the other person is challenging and loud just let them talk; they probably don’t want an answer anyway. But, perhaps the words will be heard and understood, then God will grant them repentance. We do the repenting, and God grants the forgiveness.
V26 “and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” Paul is speaking to Christians. Non-Christians are already in captivity to satan’s will (Ephesians 2:2). The devil does not want any truth preached or believed and will use lies, and other deceptive practices (John 10:10). He will use diversions, fear, pride, philosophy, too. We must beware when speaking to others not only for what we say but what they say. Today is the day of salvation. The Greek word for “recover themselves or come to their senses” is (G366) ἀνανήφω ananḗphō which means “to return to soberness” (Thayer). People can become drunk from the devil’s lies, for their judgment is affected by other things. We can be free or ensnared. Jesus came to free the captives (Luke 4:18-19).