2 Timothy 2:21

2 Timothy 2:21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

a. NLT: If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

b. NIV: Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: if, then, any one may cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel to honour, sanctified and profitable to the master -- to every good work having been prepared,

d. Amplified Bible: So whoever cleanses himself for what is ignoble and unclean, who separates from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences will then himself be a vessel set apart and uselful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, and ready for any good work.

e. Worrell Translation: If, therefore, one fully purify himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work.

f. Wuest Translation: If, therefore a person separate himself from these[the untensils held in contempt], he shall be a utensil highly prized, in a state of permanent separation, useful to the master, for every good work.

1. “If a man therefore purge himself from these…”

a. If [Strong: 1437 ean eh-an' from 1487 and 302; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).]

b. a man [Strong: 5100 tis tis an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).]

c. purge [Strong: 1571 ekkathairo ek-kath-ah'-ee-ro from 1537 and 2508; to cleanse thoroughly:--purge (out).]  [Thayers: to cleanse out, clean thoroughly, to cleanse.] [Vines: to cleanse out, clean thoroughly]

d. himself [Strong: 1438 heautou heh-ow-too' from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of 846; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).]

e. from [Strong: 575 apo apo' a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

f. these [Strong: 5130 touton too'-tone genitive case plural masculine or neuter of 3778; of (from or concerning) these (persons or things):--such, their, these (things), they, this sort, those.]

1). The items Paul is referring to as “these”, are the things he has mentioned, in the previous verses.

a). 2 Timothy 2:14-20 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;

2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2:20 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 honour, and some to dishonour.

b). The things we are to purge ourselves from are the behaviors that contaminate the vessel, “us”, from becoming vessels of honor.

2). There is no question that the statement is conditional upon our obedience. Again, Paul is referring to the partial list of things individual believers have a responsibility to cleanse out of their lives, which they accomplish only with the power of God. We in no way can accomplish these ourselves but in the New Covenant there is a co-laboring together with God. It is his power ability and our obedience.  

a). 1 John 3:2, 3 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

b). 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

c). Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

d). 2 Timothy 2:21a [Amplified Bible] “So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean] who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corruptible influences…”

3). We choose by our own free will and our obedience what kind of vessel we will be, either a vessel of honor or a vessel of dishonor.

 2. “…he shall be a vessel unto honour…”

a. he shall be [Strong: 2071 esomai es'-om-ahee future of 1510; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.]

b. a vessel 4632 skeuos skyoo'-os of uncertain affinity; a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus (literally or figuratively (specially, a wife as contributing to the usefulness of the husband)):--goods, sail, stuff, vessel.]

c. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

d. honour [Strong: 5092 time tee-may' from 5099; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:--honour, precious, price, some.] [Zodhiates: respect reverence, esteem.]

1). As the Scriptures have already clearly revealed, in order to be a vessel of honor there is a matter of obedience on our part, we have to purge, cleanse thoroughly the things that he previously mentioned out of our lives and if that is accomplished we will be a vessel of honor. In the context, the honor, respect and esteem is directed toward the vessel. The vessel is described as a vessel of honor and as such can be used by God. This all goes back to 2 Timothy 2:15 where we, by our obedience present ourselves to God as tested and approved in order to be used by God. There is a powerful passage in Isaiah that teaches this very same lesson.

a). Isaiah 48:16-19 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

48:17 Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

48:19 Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.

b). In verse 17 the King James translation has , “I am  the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit.” The Hebrew word for “profit” is “yaal” [3276 Strong’s] and it means “to ascend, be valuable, useful, benefited.”  The Lord is saying that He is the one who teaches us to rise up, to be valuable, to be useful to grow spiritually. As the passage continues we see it all hinges on obedience, because the Scriptures go on to say that if they HAD obeyed His commandments their peace would have been like a river and their righteousness as the waves of the sea and their seed would have been greatly multiplied and not cut off. Likewise in 2 Timothy 2:21 Paul writes, “If a man purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel of honour.”

2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 8/10/2013 There are several metaphors used by the New Testament writers to help us understand aspects of God's Kingdom. "Fowls" make a home in the mustard seed "tree" (Matthew 13:31, 32). "Tares" grow up with the "wheat" (Matthew 13:25). A "house" represents the church of God (1 Timothy 3:15), in which are both honorable and dishonorable "vessels" (2 Timothy 2:20). The first step in becoming an honorable vessel is to "purge" oneself from that which is dishonorable. The Greek term ekkathairo and its derivatives all are connected to active cleansing from falsehoods and defilements, as well as separation from those who tolerate ungodliness. "Purge out therefore the old leaven," Paul insists, "that ye may be a new lump" (1 Corinthians 5:7). Those who are the twice-born are to "possess" their "vessel" in honor (1 Thessalonians 4:4). Some, like Paul, are "chosen vessels" (Acts 9:15). All who would seek "honorable" service must be sanctified (set apart) for the Master's use. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1). An honorable vessel must be prepared (ready) for good works. Honorable and effective service in the house of God requires that such vessels must be willing to "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15). There is no greater honor than being counted "sanctified, and meet for the master's use." HMM III

3. “…sanctified…”

a. sanctified [Strong: 37 hagiazo hag-ee-ad'-zo from 40; to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.] [Thayer’s: to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow, to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.] [Zodhiates: To consecrate, devote, set apart from a common to a sacred use…]

4. “…and meet for the master’s use…”

a. and [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. meet [Strong: 2173 euchrestos yoo'-khrays-tos from 2095 and 5543; easily used, i.e. useful:--profitable, meet for use.] [Thayer’s; easy to make use of] [Zodhiates: Useful or very useful.]

c. [for] the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

d. master’s [use] [Strong: 1203 despotes des-pot'-ace perhaps from 1210 and posis (a husband); an absolute ruler ("despot"):--Lord, master.]

1). The obvious is that if we do not purge our self we will not be very useful.   

3. “…and prepared unto every good work.”

a. [and] prepared [Strong: 2090  hetoimazo het-oy-mad'-zo from 2092; to prepare:--prepare, provide, make ready.]

b. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

c. every [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

d. good [Strong: 18 agathos ag-ath-os' a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):--benefit, good(-s, things), well.]

e. work [Strong: 2041 ergon er'-gon from a primary (but obsolete) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.]

1). Preparation for ministry includes cleansing ourselves from the flesh. The opposite of course is shown in Titus.

a). Titus 1:15, 16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and un believing is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

b). Titus 1:15, 16 [Amplified Bible] To the pure in heart and conscience all things are pure, but to the defiled and corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very mind and conscience are defiled and polluted.

They profess to know God to recognize, perceive and to be acquainted with Him, but deny and disown and renounce Him by what they do; they are detestable and loathsome, unbelieving and disobedient and disloyal and rebellious, and they are unfit and worthless for good work deed or enterprise of any kind.

2). The Scriptures should prepare us unto all good works.

a). 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and  is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.