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. (2 Timothy 2:20)
Some household utensils do only temporary service; that is, when broken or no longer needed, they are discarded as worthless. Paul warns Timothy that not all members of the church professing service to Christ will “depart from iniquity” (v. 19). Hence, their destiny is as sadly certain as the earthen pot that performed the most menial of household functions and then was discarded. Such members will be destroyed in the judgment (see on Rev. 21:8).
Some to honour.
As with household utensils, there are members in the Christian church whose service is honorable. These church members of “honour” are made of durable material and will not be cast away, even as vessels made of gold and silver are never thrown away. Paul here stresses the value of the material rather than the particular function served by each vessel. Compare 1 Cor. 3:12 for another instance where Paul contrasts the two types of church members, the durable and the unenduring.
Earth.
Gr. ostrakinos, that which is made of baked clay.
Gold … silver … wood.
These “vessels” differ in value according to their intrinsic worth. Thus it is with human character in the Master’s service.