Having an example is nice. Having a pattern to go by really helps a slow guy like me. It may not be the very thing you’re working on or using, but it is at least a pattern to see the direction you’re suppose to go. It’s also helpful to see if you’re way off. Continuing in Second Timothy chapter two, the Apostle transitions immediately into an illustration to make his point: “The Vessel.” He is again employing a pattern to show us what it means to be a spirit-filled Christ follower. In tow, it also demonstrates when we are not being the same. In chapter two and verses twenty through twenty-three we read, “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. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.”
Paul mentions the vessels in a large home, clarifying that it takes all kinds. The word “vessel” means an item that contains a something, perhaps like a jar. The nicer the place the more vessels you have. Unless you are my family and no amount of cabinets in the world could contain all the containers you have. Some vessels are for “honor” or nice uses. Some are for “dishonor” or less-nice uses. In the homes of the day that Paul is writhing Timothy, one would have a silver or gold in-laid pot for drink and food serving. In the same house you would have clay and wood pots for disposal, such as garbage and human waste. You wouldn’t want to mistake them one for the other would you? This is why he says, “purge himself.” Or better yet, scrub with bleach, if I’m going to drink out of it. Isn’t it reassuring that you could know which is which. But, when you can’t, it could not only be gross, but also deadly. This proves what Second Corinthians four and verse seven says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
If you want to be used for eternal purposes, purging is necessary. This is the illustration Paul chooses for the worker (vessel) that should not be ashamed. You have to be in study of the Word of God to purge out the junk of our own selfish, pride-filled, humanity. He said, “anyone”, indicating God can and will use anyone who decides to “purge” themself. It’s on us to let go of the world and cling to God. Peter also struggled with this in Matthew sixteen and verse twenty three, “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Specifically he mentions to Timothy, “youthful lusts” need to be purged from. This phrase isn’t what you think. It’s anything immature and off-limits to the Vessel wanting to be used by Jesus. These are: pride, jealousy, desire for wealth, power, argumentative attitude, and selfish desire. Like verses fourteen and sixteen, avoid needless and petty arguments like the plague! It only creates even more problems.
All of this is a clear call. A call to change our behavior and walk in this world. Not only for us, but our association with others. It is a clear call to separate from all who claim to serve God, but do so with a filth-filled vessel. Those folks are only there for dishonorable uses. Do you want that for yourself? For your family? For your friends? Looking again at our greater context of being a spirit-filled follower—a filth-filled vessel is opposite of a spirit-filled vessel.
In order for Paul to be abundantly clear, he continues by giving Timothy (and us) yet another pattern to look at: The Slave. The Slave is found in verses twenty-four through twenty-six. Here we read, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
To “strive” is forbidden. The word is: machomai, and it means to fight in a dispute or engage in personal battle. You cannot be the opposite of Jesus. You cannot ‘go to war’ with someone. Instead we are to be: “gentle” (ḗpios) affable and mild, referring to calming words that bring God’s order, avoiding unnecessary harshness or excess by speaking. Candid without harshness. It does not mean that you must get along with everyone or make every one happy. If that is the case, not only Paul, but Jesus failed this test. To be a spirit-filled follower of Jesus also means we “teach.” This means skilled in teaching. Not just do it, but hone this as a needed skill in your life. It is only used here and in First Timothy three and verse two. Added to that is the word “apt”, which means able in the sense one is developing the skills. You don’t have to be great at it, but you’re working to be better. Are you teaching God’s word to anyone? A spirit-filled disciple of Jesus is. Then Paul clarified we do it as one who is “patient.” It literally means to forbear or put up with someone. This is one who is enduring when harmed or treated unjustly. In other words we teach not only when people want it but when people do not want the truth of God. There is a reason we can do this, it’s because we do it “in meekness.” If we think we are better than… watch out! That is not spirit-filled at all. In fact we are to be “instructing” or training up, which is discipline. Be very careful in disciplining something you yourself have not dealt with or wont soon after. Thus meekness.
This is not easy to say the least. How come? The instruction in these verses say that we teaching those “who oppose themselves.” Inevitably our humanity is stoked like a fire more than our spirit should be. When this happens, we are convinced of our own truth and our own confidence. This is our down-fall. This is our “opposing ourselves” to those opposing themselves. What a messed up drama church can be. If only we were all more spirit-filled.
Let’s be clear—the slave of Christ is to obey. They are to teach anyways. They are to train again and again, helping those who are contrary to themselves, until they become disciplined. Of course we aren’t qualified or even that good at it, but we are working at it as the text says. And don’t forget that we also are sinners that daily confess and seek the humility and meekness of Christ. But when we do obey, I mean just do it, the people who are opposing themselves can recover themselves “out of the snare” Satan has set for them. Praise the Lord for this! We are Jesus’ servants. The word means “slave”. So when we obey Jesus’ command and His Spirit’s promptings we are doing exactly what we were created for. The image is a slave-guide trekking with someone who will not listen. As soon as they fall into a trap, the slave-guide is there to rescue them, by instructing how to get out of the trap. The more the trapped person fights, the more the snare attaches itself. The point of repentance is the point in which they can be freed.
This is how we slave! The saddest part is: “who are taken captive by him at his will.” We not only fall into the snares Satan has placed; we do the bidding of his will, by doing so. People need help. Hey… we need help. We need to be teaching and being taught at the same time. We need someone holding on to us as we are holding on to someone else. But be warned—being arrogant, and stubborn is instant snaring into doing the will of the Devil. Why would anyone who claims to be the servant of the Most High God want to do the bidding of Satan? They never intend to. So with meekness make sure you’re instructing, any other way is disastrous.
This is not our life. This is not our will. This is a life exampled in hardship and endurance. It is a life of surrender and no excuses. It is a life of simplicity and spirit-filling. It is the life of person who is strong in the grace of Jesus. There is a reason Paul is warning Timothy of this and us today… the worst is yet to come. What does that look like? Check our Second Timothy chapter three.