2 Timothy 2:21 - Exposition

Meet for and meet, A.V. and T.R.; prepared for and prepared, A.V. Purge himself from these ( ἐκκαθάρῃ ); stronger than the simple καθάρῃ , "thoroughly purge himself," as in 1 Corinthians 5:7 (the only other place in the New Testament where it occurs) and as in classical Greek. It is used also by the LXX . in 7:4 , as the rendering of פרַץָ , to try metals. The idea, therefore, seems to be that of separation, and, if so, "from these" may certainly mean from the false teachers described under the image of the vessels unto dishonour, as usually explained. At the same time, the image is better sustained if we understand "from these" to mean the babblings, and ungodliness, and eating words of the heretics denounced. It is hardly natural to imply that one vessel in the house will become a golden vessel by purging itself from the wooden and earthen vessels. Neither is separation from the false teachers the point which St. Paul is here pressing, but avoidance of false doctrines. Meet for…use ( εὔχρηστος ); only here and 4:11 and Philemon 1:11 . Also Proverbs 29:1-27 :(31) 13, LXX . Common in classical Greek. The master ( τῷ δεσπότῃ ); the master of the house, the οἰκοδεσπότης .