September 28, 2022 – Wednesday
2 Timothy 2:21 NIV
21 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 2:21 NET
21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 ESV
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.
Comment
Having mentioned 2 Timothy 2:21 as the only verse with the Greek despotes referring to the LORD without a single translation using the word sovereign – see here and here – wanted to look at it today. However, as you can read above, the versions provided have Master with an upper-case M, except the ESV. That is surprising as it is considered to be very literal as is the NET and the NASB where both of them use the upper-case M for Master.
Reading any of the versions provided it is clear the Master is indeed God, the Master of the universe. But to be sure about what Paul is writing about here let’s look at verses 20 and 21 together NIV, 20 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. 21 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. The large house Paul is writing about is God’s house with any number of articles within it. The church here on earth is God’s large house while we wait for Christ’s return.
The articles of gold and silver are those used for special occasions, in honor of those in attendance. The others of wood and clay are for common usage, garbage bins, storage, etc., not used for special occasions. Indeed, they may be thought of having no honorable use. If we cleanse ourselves of such things in our own lives (wasting time watching television, spending too much time on the internet, or any activity taking time away from God and family) can be be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
As is so often true, the choice is ours. The question is why we would not want to be useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. To not choose this path is to choose not to be useful to Him, the One who has supreme power over us and our eternal destination. Why would we do that? Mostly out of arrogance and pride, thinking we know better than Him what we should or should not be doing.
Bottom Line: All too often we neglect to remember our loving God is also the absolute ruler of the universe. We do this at our own eternal peril.
Prayer: Almighty God, You have such complete and total power, yet You give us so many opportunities to repent and believe. Your kindness and mercy are without bounds until the point of our death. Help us to always remember You are the Master of all that exists. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek