2 Timothy 2:14-23 Pottys, China & the Master's House

Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.  15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.  Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened.  They are upsetting the faith of some.  19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are is" and "let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity". 20 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.  21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.  22  So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

After his gospel reminder to Timothy, Paul uses the picture of a master's house, an image of the church, to help Timothy discern things within the church.  In this master's house there are different kinds of vessels.

The Yucky Pots & Vessels ... the dirty basin you washed in, the garbage pail, the other waste buckets (yep 💩)  He says specifically that Hymenaeus and Philetus are this kind, babbling and undermining the faith of some... and that stuff spreads like a cancer (v17-20).  These guys were telling people 'the resurrection already happened and you missed the boat 🤷oh well... you'll just resurrect spiritually' (🙄).  They're turning people's faith upside down. They like to argue about anything.  You know these guys.. you've seen and heard them ... they have all the secrets of end times eschatology, they know exactly what 'such and such' reeeeaaaallllly means, they know every conspiracy theory and social issue... they major on the minors.  Wasted words.  Paul says, don't get sucked in. 

"The Lord knows those who are His"... these words are like a warm blanket.   Nothing gets by the gaze of our Sovereign God.  Our "El Roi"... the God who sees us.  This is so comforting, especially coming from the guy in prison.  I'm sure that Paul is again reassuring himself as he reassures Timothy.  God knows those who are His 💓  He sees you.

Vessels of Honor.  'That's our goal Tim' (my words).  The gold, silver, the china... the prized

items that the master wants to use. So stay away from sinfulness, teen age lusts, and stupid debates and dishonorable 💩 vessels.   Know the word, and how to handle it rightly so you won't be ashamed to speak the truth before men or God.  Pursue faith, love, and peace with the real brethren. 'That's the gold stuff Tim'.  

We all have garbage cans and pottys, but Christ has redeemed us to be 'honorable, set apart, holy and useful for the Master' v21  and ready for every good work. 

I can't help but wonder why Paul painted that 'picture' of the master's house . To make his point clear?, sure.   But as he faces his imminent death,  maybe he is thinking of his "Master's house"... maybe the aged servant, a golden vessel to carry the gospel, is reminding himself as he sits on the hard, stone floor of his underground cell, about his next room... John 14: 2, 3 "In my Father's house there are many rooms.  If it were not so I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again to take you to myself, so that where I am, you may also be".  

He knows those who are His.  He sees you Paul.  He sees you Timothy.   And He sees you my faithful friend.