Chapter
1 2 3 4
Verse

2 Timothy 2:20

ESV Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
NIV In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
NASB Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor.
CSB Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also those of wood and clay; some for honorable use and some for dishonorable.
NLT In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
KJV 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.
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.

What does 2 Timothy 2:20 mean?

Verses 20–21 discuss the analogy of a vessel. Paul states that in a wealthy house, there would be containers made of various materials, used for different purposes, and given different roles to fulfill. Gold and silver are clearly the most expensive and desirable vessels. Wood and clay were the everyday materials used for cups, jars, and pitchers in the first century.

The containers meant for "honorable use" are the gold and silver vessels. These items were not for everyday dining, but were reserved for special meals and events. Those which were "dishonorable" referred to the vessels of wood and clay, used for everyday activities. Timothy is to focus on cleansing himself from what was "dishonorable" (2 Timothy 2:21) so he could be a vessel for "honorable" use. In other words, those greatly used by God are those who pursue a holy life, abstaining from sin—referred to as "iniquity" in verse 19—and false teachings (2 Timothy 2:16–18).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: