2 Timothy 2:20-22: Life in the "Big House"

Greek (NA28): Ἐν μεγάλῃ δὲ οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔστιν μόνον σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα, καὶ ἃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν ἃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν· ἐὰν οὖν τις ἐκκαθάρῃ ἑαυτὸν ἀπὸ τούτων, ἔσται σκεῦος εἰς τιμήν, ἡγιασμένον, εὔχρηστον τῷ δεσπότῃ, εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἡτοιμασμένον. Τὰς δὲ νεωτερικὰς ἐπιθυμίας φεῦγε, δίωκε δὲ δικαιοσύνην πίστιν ἀγάπην εἰρήνην μετὰ τῶν ἐπικαλουμένων τὸν κύριον ἐκ καθαρᾶς καρδίας.

What is the background for the language used in these verses? Why was this counsel given to Timothy?

When I speak about the background of these verses, I am not merely referring to the sociocultural background for the verses, which we can find by studying Roman history and the domus, but rather I have in mind the scriptural context. For example, what verses from the Hebrew Bible might have influenced the discussion about vessels made of gold, silver, wood and earthenware? Additionally, why dive into this topic with Timothy? The context helps when we consider 2 Timothy 1:15; 2:14-19; 3:1-9 and possibly 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 10. Notice Paul's employment of εὔχρηστος in 2 Timothy 4:11.

Gordon D. Fee (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, page 260) notes that the metaphor which Paul wields in 2 Timothy 2:20ff concerns houses owned by the affluent: they would be the ones possessing large domiciles and numerous vessels (Ἐν μεγάλῃ δὲ οἰκίᾳ οὐκ ἔστιν μόνον σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἀργυρᾶ ἀλλὰ καὶ ξύλινα καὶ ὀστράκινα, καὶ ἃ μὲν εἰς τιμὴν ἃ δὲ εἰς ἀτιμίαν); the honorable vessels in the house would be used for big meals whereas the dishonorable vessels were utilized for dumping excrement and refuse (Fee, 260). Raymond F. Collins writes that the "large house" is a "kind of mansion" (1-2 Timothy and Titus, page 236). He also offers some remarks on how ancient vessels were used in Collins, 237.

Fee cites Jeremiah 18:1-11 and Wisdom of Solomon 15:7. The point seems to involve Timothy's association within the Christian congregation and how he could keep himself sanctified and useful to his owner ( ἔσται σκεῦος εἰς τιμήν, ἡγιασμένον, εὔχρηστον τῷ δεσπότῃ, εἰς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἡτοιμασμένον) like a temple vessel. Compare 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος).

Was Timothy being warned to avoid false teachers or false teachings? Fee places stress on the latter, but 2 Timothy 2:22 urges Timothy to guard against vessels fit for a dishonorable purpose, and he's warned about certain types of association in 2 Timothy 3:5. However, being wary of his association does not mean that Timothy could not try to adjust certain wayward ones in the "big house." Timothy is urged to associate with those who call upon the Lord out of a clean heart.