What are the vessel of dishonour?

[MennoII]

I didn't want to hijack Michelle thread on vessels, but was curious what do you think Paul was talking about in II Timothy 2:19-21?

For Paul speak of vessels of Gold, Silver, which are vessel of honour; wood and earth, which are vessels of dishonour. So do you think Paul was writing about false beleivers in a local church, as the vessels of dishonour; or do you think it may be Christian with garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 23) or even something else? so what do you think Paul is speaking about? Just wondering if anybody had any ideas!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I found this link that I think explains it pretty well.

Vessels of Honor

Expounding, we need to consider the context, which is a 2nd letter to Timothy. Timothy was ministering in Ephesus and the purpose of the letters to him were to encourage him in his difficult task of dealing with doctrinal errors and practical problems in the church. And in so doing, Paul is telling Timothy that as a leader/teacher he should be righteous in character and conduct because only in their purity will he be fit for the Lord's work.

Also God created everything and everyone for His glory and purpose. In Proverbs 16:4 it says "The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes even the wicked for the day of doom."
So likewise, some of us are teachers (not me) and some are the cleaning crew but all are important in his plan. The text is just saying IMO that we cannot be a good witness or "vessel" for Him if we have sin in our lives but there are people that think differently and IMO they will end up being the vessels of dishonor.

 

[blackribbon]

The NIV words it this way:
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. 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. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

I think that it is saying that God calls us to be special and unique...and maybe even pure instead of "common" or blending in with the baseness or bad behavior of common society. So in other words, we are not suppose to live by "well, everyone else is doing it"...but rather live a life that is worthy of the One who lives inside of us. The end result is that people should be able to recognize that there is something special about us...not so much us as individuals, but that the One who lives inside us shows and is reflected by the purity of the vessel.

 

[MennoII]

Michelle, IMO what little that is worth you are a great teacher, and that is somewhat similiar yet a little different form what I thought about the verses, thanks for the a litttle different view that gives me something to think about.

Blackribbon, that was pretty much my view, but I'm sure open to other opinions especially ones that are supported by scriptures.

Thank you both for your answers.

 

[blackribbon]

I think that what Michelle said better than me is really the same thing...we are the vessels....if we do not clean up our lives from sin then we become common vessels (wood or clay)...and (although we still can be Christians) our lives cannot be used for the higher purposes that God calls us all to. Now Timothy's calling was high...but even if our calling is only to serve a small less noticed population, we still need to clean up our lives of everything "common" like gossip and other sinful behaviors, in order to be "special" containers for the precious contents of the Holy Spirit.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

blackribbon....it's not just about cleaning up our lives....some of us are just going to be common, no matter what because that is what we were created to be. I am not called to be a person that has to live in luxury and sometimes I am ashamed at how my house looks (I have messy teenagers). But it's OK for me because I can deal with it, where other people might look down on me or my house because it's not luxurious enough.
I am not a fashionista either. I get dressed, I put on make up and brush my hair etc, and I match my clothes but I do not care about all the details or being perfectly "styled". Same with my house, it's not model like furniture, but I don't care. So maybe I was created for the common IDK. I also can deal with people that have issues, more than others. I have friends that would look down on me or people I know because of our issues. My feeling is God is not done with us yet and as long as my desire is for Him, he will not let me go and will continue to perfect me until the day of the Lord.
But we are not all meant to be the Crystal china IMO.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Michelle, IMO what little that is worth you are a great teacher, and that is somewhat similiar yet a little different form what I thought about the verses, thanks for the a litttle different view that gives me something to think about.

Blackribbon, that was pretty much my view, but I'm sure open to other opinions especially ones that are supported by scriptures.

Thank you both for your answers.

NO no no lol I am NOT a teacher...I just try to encourage, that's all. I do not want the responsibility that the bible talks about regarding being a teacher. Thanks for the compliement though. Now blackribbon, there's a great teacher right there....yep yep yep....

 

[blackribbon]

blackribbon....it's not just about cleaning up our lives....some of us are just going to be common, no matter what because that is what we were created to be. I am not called to be a person that has to live in luxury and sometimes I am ashamed at how my house looks (I have messy teenagers). But it's OK for me because I can deal with it, where other people might look down on me or my house because it's not luxurious enough.
I am not a fashionista either. I get dressed, I put on make up and brush my hair etc, and I match my clothes but I do not care about all the details or being perfectly "styled". Same with my house, it's not model like furniture, but I don't care. So maybe I was created for the common IDK. I also can deal with people that have issues, more than others. I have friends that would look down on me or people I know because of our issues. My feeling is God is not done with us yet and as long as my desire is for Him, he will not let me go and will continue to perfect me until the day of the Lord.
But we are not all meant to be the Crystal china IMO.

But that isn't what God calls "common". You (as in specifically, Michelle) are a vessel of precious metals and jewels...it is more than obvious from your words. God lives in you and it overflows from you. We all see it hear. You have a heart that is too big to contain in a "common" vessel.

As you look around this forum ... there are plenty of "common" vessels...people who think they are important but have somehow missed God's message...or spread a distorted version of it because it makes them look good. However, they are only gilded vessels and not the precious ones that Paul is talking about here.

We don't have to preach to the world to be vessels of great value. Your only calling may be to guide your children toward God (we can't save them)...or maybe serve in a very small capacity at church...or maybe even pass out love on an internet forum (which you do)...but if that is what you are called to do and you listen, then you are a vessel of great value. Our value is what is inside us...and that changes the outside from something common to something precious.

Michelle, you are NOT a common vessel...I promise this with all great honesty. You are a beautiful vessel of the finest materials. (even on the days when you don't feel that beauty).

 

[MennoII]

But that isn't what God calls "common". You (as in specifically, Michelle) are a vessel of precious metals and jewels...it is more than obvious from your words. God lives in you and it overflows from you. We all see it hear. You have a heart that is too big to contain in a "common" vessel.

As you look around this forum ... there are plenty of "common" vessels...people who think they are important but have somehow missed God's message...or spread a distorted version of it because it makes them look good. However, they are only gilded vessels and not the precious ones that Paul is talking about here.

We don't have to preach to the world to be vessels of great value. Your only calling may be to guide your children toward God (we can't save them)...or maybe serve in a very small capacity at church...or maybe even pass out love on an internet forum (which you do)...but if that is what you are called to do and you listen, then you are a vessel of great value. Our value is what is inside us...and that changes the outside from something common to something precious.

Michelle, you are NOT a common vessel...I promise this with all great honesty. You are a beautiful vessel of the finest materials. (even on the days when you don't feel that beauty).

YOU ARE BOTH VESSELS OF GOLD!

Sorry about the shouting ladies; but the above is true. And yes Blackribbon you are a great teacher. But althought I know what you are talking about Michelle (James 3:1-2); and maybe I'm wrong but in MHO you have taught me a great many things in my short time on Christian Forums such as how to be a great teacher (I Peter 5:1-3) and you shown the Love of God to the brethren (I Peter 1:22).

By the way Michelle what God hath cleanse call not thou common (Acts 10:15); for the Christian faith is much more precious to God than Gold (I Peter 1:6-8).

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Can I just say WOW to both of your comments? I do not want any credit, only God in me, I pray! Thank you both though, you are very kind.

I guess what I was trying to say, but I'm not so good at articulating sometimes is that we need common vessels too. Just like we need people in jobs that are willing to take out the trash (literally) we need people that are willing to serve in a common capacity as well. And I am willing to serve in whatever capacity brings God glory. So it's not that I look down on myself even or think I am not a fine jewel or the special china, it's just that I am willing to be a vessel that can be used for a king or a commoner. Whatever God desires, that is my goal. I don't always make the best choices, but that is my ultimate goal.