A vessel for honourable use
What does it mean to be a vessel of honourable use? Paul speaks about such a vessel or instrument in 2 Timothy 2:14-26, which instructs Timothy at that time (and us today) how to be set apart in a large house as an article of gold and silver. Paul describes these articles of gold and silver as instruments for special purposes, made holy and useful for God to do his good work. As believers, this is what we aspire to, and Paul teaches us how.
Dealing with destructive teaching (v14 - 19)
Paul beings 2 Timothy 2:14-16 by encouraging Timothy to remind the church of the true gospel, not the one that was being spread by false teachers at that time. He exhorted Timothy by asking him to warn the church before God against quarreling over the gospel (as there was and is only one gospel message), advising that it is of no value.
Paul was warning the pepole that they needed to correctly handle the gospel and avoid godless chatter that spreads like gangrene. Paul’s choice of the disease, gangrene, was by no mistake or without thought for gangrene is a disease where body tissue begins to decay, which was much like the effects of the destructive teaching false teachers were spreading. Spreading the false gospel and leading other people to believe that there is a way to salvation other than Christ, would lead people to their own eternal decay. Paul even named and shamed false teachers, Hymenaeus and Philetus who were speaking of a gospel unlike the one that Paul and Timothy were teaching.
Even today, we aren’t to take defend the gospel lightly. Twenty four out of the twenty seven books in the New Testament talk about false teachings. And these problems exist till today, with many false teachers claiming that there is another way to salvation besides or even in addition to Christ. As defenders of the word, like Timothy, we must protect the integrity of the gospel, proclaiming only one truth and that is Christ.
Lead with Christian character (v20 - 26)
If we are able to protect the integrity of the gospel and share it with those who need to hear it (i.e. everyone); we too can become what Paul described as silver or gold tools, made for honour. Paul warns us here that not every Christian fulfills their potential to be a silver or gold tool. Instead there are some that are merely made of wood and clay, in other words, instruments for common purpose. As believers, we must strive to be an honourable instrument or vessel, and we do this only by asking God to make us honourable. As Paul says in verse 22:
Run away from youthful lusts - pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:22-23 AMP)
Paul finishes this passage with a final warning against the devil who uses traps to ensnare us. We must be vigilant against traps like false gospels that people spread. We must be kind to everyone, not resentful and willing to teach the gospel, bringing out the best in students. This is how we become vessels for honourable use.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you have given us a gospel that is perfect and true. Thank you that you have revealed to me the power in the gospel and I pray that you would make me an honourable vessel, to share and defend the gospel to those in need. I pray that you would soften my heart and use me as you see fit.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray,
Amen