2Ti 2:20-21 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 20. But in a great house . Still keeping up the comparison of the church with a building. The idea is, that the church is a large edifice, and that in such a building we are not to expect entire uniformity in all the articles which it contains. There are not only vessels of gold and of silver , etc. You are not to expect to find all the articles of furniture alike, or all made of the same material. Variety in the form, and use, and material, is necessary in furnishing such a house. And some to honour, and some to dishonour . Some to most honourable uses--as drinking-vessels, and vessels to contain costly viands, and some for the less honourable purposes connected with cooking, etc. The same thing is to be expected in the church. See this idea illustrated at greater length under another figure: , also . Comp. . The application here seems to be, that in the church it is to be presumed that there will be a great variety of gifts and attainments, and that we are no more to expect that all will be alike than we are that all the vessels in a large house will be made of gold. (a) "vessels"

2 Timothy 2:20-21

Verse 20. But in a great house. Still keeping up the comparison of the church with a building. The idea is, that the church is a large edifice, and that in such a building we are not to expect entire uniformity in all the articles which it contains.

There are not only vessels of gold and of silver, etc. You are not to expect to find all the articles of furniture alike, or all made of the same material. Variety in the form, and use, and material, is necessary in furnishing such a house.

And some to honour, and some to dishonour. Some to most honourable uses--as drinking-vessels, and vessels to contain costly viands, and some for the less honourable purposes connected with cooking, etc. The same thing is to be expected in the church. See this idea illustrated at greater length under another figure: 1Cor 12:14, also 1Cor 12:15-26. Comp. Rom 9:21. The application here seems to be, that in the church it is to be presumed that there will be a great variety of gifts and attainments, and that we are no more to expect that all will be alike than we are that all the vessels in a large house will be made of gold.

(a) "vessels" Rom 9:21 Verse 21. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel of honour. If a man cleanse or purify himself. Comp. Jn 15:2. The word "these" refers, here, to the persons represented by the vessels of wood and of earth--the vessels made to dishonour, as mentioned in the previous verse. The idea is, that if one would preserve himself from the corrupting influence of such men, he would be fitted to be a vessel of honour, or to be employed in the most useful and honourable service in the cause of his Master. On the word vessel, Acts 9:16.

And meet for the Master's use. Fit to be employed by the Lord Jesus in promoting his work on earth.

(b) "If a man" Jer 15:19 (c) "prepared" 2Ti 3:17