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 2:20KJV
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2 Timothy 2:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Timothy 2:20 mean?

2 Timothy 2:20 uses the picture of a large house filled with different kinds of containers—some made of precious materials like gold and silver, others of ordinary materials like wood and clay—to show that not everyone in a community serves the same honorable purpose. Some people or things are set apart for special, honorable use, while others are for more common or less respected tasks.

Paul is writing to Timothy, a young church leader, to help him understand the variety of people and roles within the Christian community. The verse uses everyday household objects to make a point about honor and dishonor, suggesting that just as a house has both valuable and ordinary vessels, so too does the community have people with different roles and levels of honor.

The Greek behind 2 Timothy 2:20

  • οἶκος (oikos, G3614): This word means "house" and here refers to a large household, which in the ancient world would have included many people and objects, not just family members.
  • σκεύη (skeuē, G4632): Translated as "vessels," this word means containers or utensils. The emphasis is on usefulness and purpose, not just value.
  • τιμὴν (timēn, G5092) and ἀτιμίαν (atimian, G819): These words mean "honor" and "dishonor." The Greek terms highlight the difference between things set apart for special, respected use and those for ordinary or even shameful purposes.

Why 2 Timothy 2:20 matters

  • This verse helps clear up the idea that everyone in a community or church will have the same role or level of recognition; it shows that diversity of purpose is normal and expected.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage, where Paul encourages Timothy to pursue purity and to be the kind of "vessel" that is useful and honorable.
  • Understanding the imagery of household vessels helps modern readers see that being set apart for honorable use is about character and purpose, not just status or outward appearance.

Where else these words appear

“wood” Greek G3585 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

“earth” Greek G3749 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

“silver” Greek G693 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
  • Revelation 9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

“dishonour” Greek G819 · used in 7 verses

  • Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
  • 1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
  • 2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;