2 Timothy 2:21 kjv
If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 nkjv
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 niv
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 esv
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.
2 Timothy 2:21 nlt
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
2 Timothy 2 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Titus 3:5 | Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, | Forgiveness and spiritual cleansing |
| 1 Peter 1:16 | Because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." | Command for holiness |
| Hebrews 10:22 | Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. | Symbolic cleansing of the believer |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 | Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. | Body as a temple, sanctity of life |
| John 15:3 | You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. | Cleansing through God's Word |
| Ephesians 5:26 | that He might sanctify and cleanse her by the washing of water with the word, | Christ sanctifying the Church |
| 2 Corinthians 7:1 | Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. | Exhortation to cleanse oneself |
| Romans 12:1 | I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. | Presenting oneself for service |
| John 13:10 | Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all." | Distinction in spiritual cleansing |
| Revelation 22:14 | Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. | Blessing for obedience |
| Jeremiah 1:17 | “Now therefore, gird up your loins! Get thee up into thy pulpit, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.” | Divine calling and preparation |
| Isaiah 6:7 | And he laid it on my mouth, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away and your sin purged." | Purification of prophet for service |
| Psalm 119:9 | How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. | Cleansing through God's Word |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession and cleansing |
| Acts 15:9 | and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. | Purification of the heart by faith |
| Colossians 3:5 | Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. | Mortification of the flesh |
| Philippians 4:8 | Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise—think on these things. | Focusing on purity |
| Hebrews 12:14 | Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: | Pursuit of holiness |
| Romans 6:22 | But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life. | Fruit of holiness |
| Galatians 5:13 | For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. | Liberty and service |
2 Timothy 2 verses
2 Timothy 2 21 Meaning
This verse teaches that anyone who cleanses themselves from impurity will be set apart for noble use, becoming a vessel ready for honorable service to the Master. It signifies purification leading to consecration and suitability for God's purpose.
2 Timothy 2 21 Context
Second Timothy 2:15-26 discusses the faithfulness of God and the proper conduct of a Christian minister. Paul is encouraging Timothy to be strong, endure suffering, and teach the Word accurately, distinguishing himself as a workman approved by God. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of sound doctrine, the suffering required for ministry, and the need to avoid contentious and futile arguments, instead training oneself in godliness. Verse 21 flows directly from the call to separation from sinful actions and people described in verse 20.
2 Timothy 2 21 Word analysis
- "If therefore a man cleanses himself": This phrase "cleanses himself" (Greek: katharizei heauton) signifies an active, personal responsibility in a process of purification. It implies a conscious decision and effort on the part of the believer. This isn't merely an external washing but a thorough inner cleansing from moral and spiritual defilement. The use of the reflexive pronoun "himself" highlights personal agency within the process of sanctification, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- "from these": Refers back to the preceding negative examples given in verses 16-18 and 20 – futile arguments, foolish questions, contentious people, and the ungodly influences and erroneous teachings that disqualify individuals from honorable service.
- "he will be": This indicates a guaranteed outcome, a result that will follow the act of purification. It's a statement of certainty.
- "a vessel for honor": "Vessel" (Greek: skeuos) can refer to an instrument or container. "For honor" or "honorable" (Greek: timion) means valued, precious, and distinguished. This refers to being set apart for a noble purpose and esteemed use. In the context of a household, vessels of honor are distinct from those of dishonor.
- "sanctified": (Greek: hagiazetai) means to be set apart, made holy, or consecrated. It speaks of a transition from common or defiled use to a special, sacred purpose for God. This involves both a positional sanctification and a progressive one.
- "useful": (Greek: euchrestos) means helpful, serviceable, and profitable. It highlights the practical aspect of being a vessel, contributing effectively to the Master’s purpose.
- "prepared": (Greek: hetoimos) means ready, made ready, or furnished. It signifies being equipped and available for immediate use by the Master.
- "for the Master's use": This emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of such purification and consecration is to be fit and available for the service of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Master (Greek: despotēs).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "cleanses himself... from these": This phrase underlines the believer's active role in separation from sin and error, directly linking personal discipline with a greater spiritual purpose. It’s about making a choice to eschew that which contaminates and disqualifies.
- "a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful, prepared for the Master's use": This is a connected series of descriptors that show the result of effective cleansing. It paints a picture of a thoroughly equipped and devoted servant, characterized by purity, sanctity, serviceability, and readiness for the Lord’s command. The sequence implies that sanctification leads to usefulness and preparedness.
2 Timothy 2 21 Bonus section
The concept of vessels in Scripture often illustrates the distinction between those devoted to God and those not. Isaiah 65:11 refers to "profane vessels," contrasting with the sanctified. Similarly, in Romans 9, Paul uses the analogy of vessels made for honor and dishonor from the same lump of clay. This verse clarifies that the determination of honor and use is linked to the human response of self-purification and availability. The purification mentioned is not solely the initial work of regeneration, but the ongoing process of sanctification by which the believer continues to cleanse themselves in reliance on God’s Word and Spirit.
2 Timothy 2 21 Commentary
The verse describes a vital principle for every believer, especially those in ministry. It asserts that deliberate self-purification from the detestable things of this world and false teachings leads to consecration. When we choose to remove ourselves from contaminating influences and actively pursue holiness, we become suitable instruments for God's divine purposes. This purification makes us honorable vessels, not those of dishonor mentioned earlier. This means we are useful and ready at any moment to be used by the Master for His work. This isn't about earning salvation but about consecrating the life that has already been saved, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1). It requires intentionality and dependence on the Holy Spirit’s power to live a life pleasing to God.
Practical examples:
- A minister consistently studying God's Word and abstaining from gossip or slander becomes a clear voice for truth.
- A believer consciously limiting their exposure to immoral content online is better equipped to share encouragement and hope with others.
- Someone who separates from critical or contentious friendships finds greater capacity to serve and love within their church community.