Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: 2 Timothy 2:20 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 2Ti 2:20 |
Strong Concordance |
But [1161] in [1722] a great [3173] house [3614] there are [2076] not [3756] only [3440] vessels [4632] of gold [5552] and [2532] of silver [693], but [235] also [2532] of wood [3585] and [2532] of earth [3749]; and [2532] some [3739] [3303] to [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] some [3739] to [1519] dishonour [819]. |
| |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
in a great house--that is, the visible professing Christian Church (Ti1 3:15). Paul is speaking, not of those without, but of the [visible] family of God [CALVIN]. So the parable of the sweep-net (Mat 13:47-49) gathering together of every kind, good and bad: as the good and bad cannot be distinguished while under the waves, but only when brought to shore, so believers and unbelievers continue in the same Church, until the judgment makes the everlasting distinction. "The ark of Noah is a type of the Church; as in the former there were together the leopard and the kid, the wolf and the lamb; so in the latter, the righteous and sinners, vessels of gold and silver, with vessels of wood and earth" [JEROME, Dialogue against the Luciferians, 302] (compare Mat 20:16).
vessels of gold . . . silver--precious and able to endure fire.
of wood and earth--worthless, fragile, and soon burnt (Co1 3:12-15; Co1 15:47).
some . . . some--the former . . . the latter.
to dishonour-- (Pro 16:4; Rom 9:17-23). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But in a great house - Still keeping up the comparison of the church with a building. The idea is, that the church is a large edifice, and that in such a building we are not to expect entire uniformity in all the articles which it contains.
There are not only vessels of gold and of silver, ... - You are not to expect to find all the articles of furniture alike, or all made of the same material. Variety in the form, and use, and material, is necessary in furnishing such a house.
And some to honour, and some to dishonour - Some to most honorable uses - as drinking vessels, and vessels to contain costly viands, and some for the less honorable purposes connected with cooking, etc. The same thing is to be expected in the church. See this idea illustrated at greater length under another figure in the notes at Co1 12:14-26; compare the notes, Rom 9:21. The application here seems to be, that in the church it is to be presumed that there will be a great variety of gifts and attainments, and that we are no more to expect that all will be alike, than we are that all the vessels in a large house will be made of gold. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
But the church embraces a variety of characters. Unrighteous men steal into it. So, in a great household establishment there are vessels fit only for base uses.
House (οἰκίᾳ)
As θεμέλιος foundation indicates the inward, essential character of the church, οἰκία exhibits its visible, outward aspect. The mixed character of the church points to its greatness (μεγάλῃ).
Vessels (σκεύη)
See on Mat 12:29; see on Mar 3:27; see on Act 9:15; see on Act 27:17; see on Pe1 3:7.
Of wood and of earth (ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα)
Ξύλινος wooden only here and Rev 9:20. Ὁστράκινος of baked clay, only here and Co2 4:7 (note). Comp. the different metaphor, Co1 3:12.
Some to honor and some to dishonor
After Rom 9:21. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| But in a great house - Such as the church, it is not strange that there are not only vessels of gold and silver, designed for honourable uses, but also of wood and of earth - For less honourable purposes. Yet a vessel even of gold may be put to the vilest use, though it was not the design of him that made it. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| But in a great house - Here the apostle carries on the allusion introduced in the preceding verse. As the foundation of God refers to God's building, i.e. the whole system of Christianity, so here the great house is to be understood of the same; and the different kinds of vessels mean the different teachers, as well as the different kinds of members. In this sacred house at Ephesus there were vessels of gold and silver - eminent, holy, sincere, and useful teachers and members, and also vessels of wood and of earth - false and heretical teachers, such as Hymeneus and Philetus, and their followers. There are also in such houses vessels employed, some in a more honorable, others in a less honorable, office. To these he seems also to compare the same persons. |
17 For [1063] the scripture [1124] saith [3004] unto Pharaoh [5328], Even for [3754] [1519] this [5124] same purpose [846] have I raised [1825] thee [4571] up [1825], that [3704] I might shew [1731] my [3450] power [1411] in [1722] thee [4671], and [2532] that [3704] my [3450] name [3686] might be declared [1229] throughout [1722] all [3956] the earth [1093].
18 Therefore [686] [3767] hath he mercy [1653] on whom [3739] he will [2309] have mercy, and [1161] whom [3739] he will [2309] he hardeneth [4645].
19 Thou wilt say [2046] then [3767] unto me [3427], Why [5101] doth he yet [2089] find fault [3201]? For [1063] who [5101] hath resisted [436] his [846] will [1013]?
20 Nay but [3304], O [5599] man [444], who [5101] art [1488] thou [4771] that repliest against [470] God [2316]? [3361] Shall [2046] the thing formed [4110] say [2046] to him that formed [4111] it, Why [5101] hast thou made [4160] me [3165] thus [3779]?
21 [2228] Hath [2192] not [3756] the potter [2763] power [1849] over the clay [4081], of [1537] the same [846] lump [5445] to [3739] [3303] make [4160] one vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] another [3739] unto [1519] dishonour [819]?
22 What if [1487] [1161] God [2316], willing [2309] to shew [1731] his wrath [3709], and [2532] to make [1107] his [846] power [1415] known [1107], endured [5342] with [1722] much [4183] longsuffering [3115] the vessels [4632] of wrath [3709] fitted [2675] to [1519] destruction [684]:
23 And [2532] that [2443] he might make known [1107] the riches [4149] of his [846] glory [1391] on [1909] the vessels [4632] of mercy [1656], which [3739] he had afore prepared [4282] unto [1519] glory [1391],
4 The LORD [03068] hath made [06466] all things for himself [04617]: yea, even the wicked [07563] for the day [03117] of evil [07451].
47 The first [4413] man [444] is of [1537] the earth [1093], earthy [5517]: the second [1208] man [444] is the Lord [2962] from [1537] heaven [3772].
12 Now [1161] if any man [1536] build [2026] upon [1909] this [5126] foundation [2310] gold [5557], silver [696], precious [5093] stones [3037], wood [3586], hay [5528], stubble [2562];
13 Every man's [1538] work [2041] shall be made [1096] manifest [5318]: for [1063] the day [2250] shall declare [1213] it, because [3754] it shall be revealed [601] by [1722] fire [4442]; and [2532] the fire [4442] shall try [1381] every man's [1538] work [2041] of what sort [3697] it is [2076].
14 If any man's [1536] work [2041] abide [3306] which [3739] he hath built [2026] thereupon, he shall receive [2983] a reward [3408].
15 If any man's [1536] work [2041] shall be burned [2618], he shall suffer loss [2210]: but [1161] he himself [846] shall be saved [4982]; yet [1161] so [3779] as [5613] by [1223] fire [4442].
16 So [3779] the last [2078] shall be [2071] first [4413], and [2532] the first [4413] last [2078]: for [1063] many [4183] be [1526] called [2822], but [1161] few [3641] chosen [1588].
47 Again [3825], the kingdom [932] of heaven [3772] is [2076] like [3664] unto a net [4522], that was cast [906] into [1519] the sea [2281], and [2532] gathered [4863] of [1537] every [3956] kind [1085]:
48 Which [3739], when [3753] it was full [4137], they drew [307] to [1909] shore [123], and [2532] sat down [2523], and gathered [4816] the good [2570] into [1519] vessels [30], but [1161] cast [906] the bad [4550] away [1854].
49 So [3779] shall it be [2071] at [1722] the end [4930] of the world [165]: the angels [32] shall come forth [1831], and [2532] sever [873] the wicked [4190] from [1537] among [3319] the just [1342],
15 But [1161] if [1437] I tarry long [1019], that [2443] thou mayest know [1492] how [4459] thou oughtest [1163] to behave thyself [390] in [1722] the house [3624] of God [2316], which [3748] is [2076] the church [1577] of the living [2198] God [2316], the pillar [4769] and [2532] ground [1477] of the truth [225].
21 [2228] Hath [2192] not [3756] the potter [2763] power [1849] over the clay [4081], of [1537] the same [846] lump [5445] to [3739] [3303] make [4160] one vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] another [3739] unto [1519] dishonour [819]?
14 [2532] For [1063] the body [4983] is [2076] not [3756] one [1520] member [3196], but [235] many [4183].
15 If [1437] the foot [4228] shall say [2036], Because [3754] I am [1510] not [3756] the hand [5495], I am [1510] not [3756] of [1537] the body [4983]; is [2076] it therefore [3756] [3844] [5124] not [3756] of [1537] the body [4983]?
16 And [2532] if [1437] the ear [3775] shall say [2036], Because [3754] I am [1510] not [3756] the eye [3788], I am [1510] not [3756] of [1537] the body [4983]; is [2076] it therefore [3756] [3844] [5124] not [3756] of [1537] the body [4983]?
17 If [1487] the whole [3650] body [4983] were an eye [3788], where [4226] were the hearing [189]? If [1487] the whole [3650] were hearing [189], where [4226] were the smelling [3750]?
18 But [1161] now [3570] hath [5087] God [2316] set [5087] the members [3196] every [1538] one [1520] of them [846] in [1722] the body [4983], as [2531] it hath pleased him [2309].
19 And [1161] if [1487] they were [2258] all [3956] one [1520] member [3196], where [4226] were the body [4983]?
20 But [1161] now [3568] [3303] are they many [4183] members [3196], yet but [1161] one [1520] body [4983].
21 And [1161] the eye [3788] cannot [3756] [1410] say [2036] unto the hand [5495], I have [2192] no [3756] need [5532] of thee [4675]: nor [2228] again [3825] the head [2776] to the feet [4228], I have [2192] no [3756] need [5532] of you [5216].
22 Nay [235], much [4183] more [3123] those members [3196] of the body [4983], which seem [1380] to be [5225] more feeble [772], are [2076] necessary [316]:
23 And [2532] those [3739] members of the body [4983], which we think [1380] to be [1511] less honourable [820], upon these [5125] we bestow [4060] more abundant [4055] honour [5092]; and [2532] our [2257] uncomely [809] parts have [2192] more abundant [4055] comeliness [2157].
24 For [1161] our [2257] comely [2158] parts have [2192] no [3756] need [5532]: but [235] God [2316] hath tempered [4786] the body [4983] together [4786], having given [1325] more abundant [4055] honour [5092] to that part which lacked [5302]:
25 That [3363] there should be [5600] no [3363] schism [4978] in [1722] the body [4983]; but [235] that the members [3196] should have [3309] the same [846] care [3309] one for [5228] another [240].
26 And [2532] whether [1535] one [1520] member [3196] suffer [3958], all [3956] the members [3196] suffer with it [4841]; or [1535] one [1520] member [3196] be honoured [1392], all [3956] the members [3196] rejoice with it [4796].
21 [2228] Hath [2192] not [3756] the potter [2763] power [1849] over the clay [4081], of [1537] the same [846] lump [5445] to [3739] [3303] make [4160] one vessel [4632] unto [1519] honour [5092], and [1161] another [3739] unto [1519] dishonour [819]?
12 Now [1161] if any man [1536] build [2026] upon [1909] this [5126] foundation [2310] gold [5557], silver [696], precious [5093] stones [3037], wood [3586], hay [5528], stubble [2562];
7 But [1161] we have [2192] this [5126] treasure [2344] in [1722] earthen [3749] vessels [4632], that [2443] the excellency [5236] of the power [1411] may be [5600] of God [2316], and [2532] not [3361] of [1537] us [2257].
20 And [2532] the rest [3062] of the men [444] which [3739] were [615] not [3756] killed [615] by [1722] these [5025] plagues [4127] yet [3777] repented [3340] not [3777] of [1537] the works [2041] of their [846] hands [5495], that [3363] they should [4352] not [3363] worship [4352] devils [1140], and [2532] idols [1497] of gold [5552], and [2532] silver [693], and [2532] brass [5470], and [2532] stone [3035], and [2532] of wood [3585]: which [3739] neither [3777] can [1410] see [991], nor [3777] hear [191], nor [3777] walk [4043]:
7 Likewise [3668], ye husbands [435], dwell with [4924] them according to [2596] knowledge [1108], giving [632] honour [5092] unto the wife [1134], as [5613] unto the weaker [772] vessel [4632], and [2532] as [5613] being heirs together [4789] of the grace [5485] of life [2222]; that [1519] your [5216] prayers [4335] be [1581] not [3361] hindered [1581].
17 Which [3739] when they had taken up [142], they used [5530] helps [996], undergirding [5269] the ship [4143]; and [5037], fearing [5399] lest [3361] they should fall [1601] into [1519] the quicksands [4950], strake [5465] sail [4632], and so [3779] were driven [5342].
15 But [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], Go thy way [4198]: for [3754] he [3778] is [2076] a chosen [1589] vessel [4632] unto me [3427], to bear [941] my [3450] name [3686] before [1799] the Gentiles [1484], and [2532] kings [935], and [5037] the children [5207] of Israel [2474]:
27 No man [3762] can [3756] [1410] enter [1525] into [1519] a strong man's [2478] house [3614], and spoil [1283] his [846] goods [4632], except [3362] he will [1210] first [4412] bind [1210] the strong man [2478]; and [2532] then [5119] he will spoil [1283] his [846] house [3614].
29 Or [2228] else how [4459] can [1410] one [5100] enter [1525] into [1519] a strong man's [2478] house [3614], and [2532] spoil [1283] his [846] goods [4632], except [3362] he first [4412] bind [1210] the strong man [2478]? and [2532] then [5119] he will spoil [1283] his [846] house [3614].