2 Timothy 2:20
20 But [de] in [en] a great [megas] house [oikia] there are [esti] not [ou] only [monon] vessels [skeuos] of gold [chruseos] and [kai] of silver, [argureos] but [alla] also [kai] of wood [xulinos] and [kai] of earth; [ostrakinos] and [kai] some [hos] [men] to [eis] honour, [time] and [de] some [hos] to [eis] dishonour. [atimia] KJV-Interlinear
20 Now in a
large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of
wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. NASB
The great house is a
single house, referring to the entire body of Christians (believers) from
throughout history.
From the beginning of
this chapter, reference is made to be strong in grace, 2 Tim. 2:1, to be
prepared and thus not embarrassed, 2 Tim. 2:15, to be complete, 2 Tim. 2:21.
But as we all know, all
believers in Christ are not the same, and are not going to be the same. Some pursue their spiritual life in the
appropriate manner, but unfortunately most do not.
In heaven, there will
be believers who will advance to spiritual maturity, and they are symbolized
here as gold and silver vessels. Then
there will be some who will not advance in their spiritual lives, and are
herein symbolized as vessels of wood and clay.
Which of these articles
are the more prized and the more valuable?
I’ll give you a second
to figure it out.
And you are right. The gold and silver are more valuable than
the wood and clay.
In the home of the
wealthy, where there exists articles of gold and silver, and wood and clay, which
are proudly displayed? Which are prized
more, and which are prized less? Which
possess more value, and which have less value.
Which of these things have intrinsic value and which do not.
And the obvious answer
is that the gold and silver articles far exceed all else.
And that is the
difference between the spiritually mature believer, the one who has prepared,
the one who has pursued, the one who is obedient to the mandates of God, versus
the spiritually immature believer, who has not pursued their spiritual life.
The mature believer is
mature due to the acquisition of knowledge, the understanding of that
knowledge, the application of that knowledge, and thus possess wisdom from that
overall experience.
The immature believer
remains immature due to the lack of knowledge, due to the lack of
understanding, and therefore due to the lack of wisdom. They are immature due to the lack of
learning.
The immature believer
remains that way when they do not grow up, and thus they have little knowledge,
little understanding, little production, and little value as a believer.
They are saved just the
same, but their eternal reward will be small if at all.
And that is the whole
point of this verse.
There is a huge
difference between gold and wood. There
is a huge difference between the mature believer and the immature believer.
The mature believer
wants to study.
The immature believer
generally does not want to study. They do not see the point, and believe that
there are better ways of existing in their spiritual life. They have excuses. They have clichés and
convenient phrases to cover up or veil their indifference toward study. They remain the value of wood.
The mature believer
studies, learns, recognizes that God has given us an opportunity for a great future,
and they learn how to obtain it. They
see the value in studying and learning and applying and growing up and in the
natural production that accompanies that growth.
The immature believer,
believes that their efforts, their sincerity, their attitude, is sufficient and
enough to satisfy God. They believe that
they have no responsibility in the functions of their spiritual life, that somehow
God will do everything for them. And that
is a half truth used conveniently to excuse themselves out of obeying Gods
mandates.
The mature believer
sees the value and their future in eternity and pursues spiritual values.
The immature believer
sees their future in this life and pursues worldly values, including their own
opinions.
The mature believer
does not make up excuses, does not debate, does not quibble over issues.
The immature believer makes
a big deal over the slightest of subjects.
The mature believer
lives on faith, based on knowledge, and learns to recognize truth.
The immature believer
demands proof, and is unable to see proofs that are right in front of them.
The immature believer
values their own opinions above those of God, but presumes that their opinions
are those of God.
The mature believer
sees themselves as humble specks of dust, and look to God, with patience, to
provide understanding at Gods pace during the course of their daily study
process.
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