Commissioned Posted December 14, 2009 Report Share Posted December 14, 2009 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Good plates and silverware are set on the table when guest is entertained and everyday tableware is used among immediate family. The point Paul is making with this example is that our good plates and silverware is analogous to a person's cleansing from the former life of sin. Now fit to be used with pride for good work. In practical terms we "cleanse ourselves" by repentance and daily walking in communion with God and being lead by His Holy Spirit, so that we walk in holiness and righteousness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rambler Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Specail things have a specail purpose. If we are to fulfill his specail purpose for us,we will be ready to do it when we flee youthful **** and follow righteousness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaus Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 We use our good plates and silverware for special occasions and the everyday dinnerware for everyday. God wants us to be like the good dinnerware, so that we will be honorable and He can use us. We do that by shunning evil and pursuing righteousness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynette66 Posted May 16, 2010 Report Share Posted May 16, 2010 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? If we do everything for the glory of God, we will be "cleansed" and ready for the Lord's use when needed. Even when using our "everyday" dishes, we can praise God and give thanks. This will allow us to make of habit of serving God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suedeboy Posted June 7, 2010 Report Share Posted June 7, 2010 Paul here is making a statement that in the house which represents a Church, there are 2 groups of worshipers, the gold or silver which represents the faithful, and the wood or earth which represents the hypocrites or unfaithful.Many of us when we go to Church, we put on our best behavior just like our best silverware.Once we leave the Church, we go back to our old ways like our everyday silverware. So Paul is telling us to cleanse ourselves by shunning away from sin and have a Christian spirit by living a pure life,loving one another and teaching or guiding the younger Christians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrD Posted July 5, 2010 Report Share Posted July 5, 2010 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Basically during special occasions or when entertaining special guest - common or familiar dinnerware is used everyday. . . The point Paul is making is as born again believers our character ought to be such that our best is displayed everyday and for every occasion. . . In practical terms we cleanse ourselves by repenting of and forsaking any act and all activities that are opposed or contrary to the Word of God - the will, purpose, and plan of God - and then pursuing and practicing those that please Him. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 I put out the good plates and silverware when guests are over or for a special holiday meal. I use everyday tableware every other time. I think that Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagleswings01 Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? We usually put our good plates and silverware on the table when there is some special occasion or special guest. Basically Paul is saying that we ought to be ready to be used by the Master and be prepared to do any good work. We cleanse ourselves by fleeing the evil desires of youth, and pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerbrand van Schalkwyk Posted August 5, 2012 Report Share Posted August 5, 2012 When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? We put the good plates on the table when we want to impress somebody, when there is a special occation or when we want to feel special or make a family member feel special. Most of the time we use the cheaper, day to day tableware, the stuff we dont worry about if a plate chip or a spoon goes missing. What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? God wants us to special because we are special to Him. We must glorify Him in everything we do, but we must also impress others with our way of life so that we may intrigue them, and so draw them to God as well. We must live in such a way that we can save others for God. We do it by ignoring the cravings of the flesh, by working gently with those who oppose us and by allowing God to clean us from the inside, so that we can bear fruit of the Spirit. We do it through obedience and through faith that God will lead us propperly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISTinUS Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Paul is encouraging each one of us, that no matter what we are made of, we can be of service to God by cleansing ourselves willingly through the Holy Spirit. Our transformation is a blessing to God and we become more like Him and less like ourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted May 24, 2013 Report Share Posted May 24, 2013 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Usually one sets the table with the good stuff when guests or family comes for a meal. It makes for a special meal and honors the company. Everyday tableware is for everyday routine meals. The point Paul is making is that we as believers must turn and flee from the everyday tableware spiritual condition one finds themselves in before claiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After becoming followers of Christ our spiritual condition and life must be as the best plates one has to honor God. Practifcally, we cleanse ourselves from the old ways by vigorously pursuing the things of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to manage our lives. As Paul teaches in the above passage: "... pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Rejoice, pray, study the Scripture, and thank God everyday and it will change your life from the everyday ware to the silverware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted October 24, 2013 Report Share Posted October 24, 2013 1a)Use special plates,napkins,silver cutlery when special guests are due to demonstrate how specially loved,&/or respected they are to us.b)Everyday crockery&cutlery nothing fancy used on family days. c)Paul refers to different types of vessels, silver contrasted with a plain, wood or unglazed pottery bowl, both useful, have great pride in silver more "noble" (NIV), "special use" (NRSV), "honor" (KJV) is timē, "honor," "the respect that one enjoys, honor as a possession.". Plain bowl cannot transform self into beautiful vessel but we can.Paul is speaking about the cleansing we do for ourselves.fleeing from evil temptations that drag us down, so they no longer control our lives.God is at work, Jesus died to set us free from sin’s hold, but we are to discipline ourselves to make us really useful for Christ,chosing to do our part&seperate ourselves from contaminating things of this world. "If a person cleanses himself" (2:21a).Then we are ready more fit, for Christ’s purposes, like the silver articles. d)The only cleansing agent is the blood of Jesus who "when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". God is looking for godly living as the special vessels every day of our lives,and not just on sundays or when people visit, .We are to ask the Lord and rely on His strength to avoid and flee from "contamination" from tv,peers influences etc and to pursue righteousness to avoid being less ready commonplace pottery, and be instead vessels that shine for Him,living holy lives while we are here and can be used to bring glory to His holy name. John 8:32 You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Queeno Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 On 11/15/2009 at 3:58 PM, Marloes said: People use their extraordinary plates for extraordinary events - to celebrate or to impress. People use their ordinary plates for ordinary events - for everyday. Paul claims we need to be the 'extraordinary plates' to be used by God in an extraordinary way. We don't need to be the 'ordinary plates' like the common people. We can cleanse ourselves by following Jesus. The gold and silver plates represent those that are choosing to live right with God through Jesus this category of believers are the 5 wise virgin because they are always in preparation the second category are the 5 foolish Christians that are classified as regular plates; they are not different from the world system. So for us to be fit for every good work we must be delibrate with our walk with Jesus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Edwards Posted December 16, 2023 Report Share Posted December 16, 2023 The word is SANCTIFICATION. Much self examination on a daily level is needed. True Bible Christians have nothing to do with departure from the truth and fellowship with ungodliness. Paul believed firmly that Christ founded the Christian Church as God's house the chosen Elect. Christ the Son over God's house in which we are, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorifying of our hope into the end. We must purge that which repugnant to our high calling. We are to be as gold in God's eyes, not be just wood, hay or stubble. We have a serious call to live lives of sacrifice and mortification to fit for the Master's use. Because of God's immense love for us, we abide by Romans 12:1. We have responsibilities to be fitting Temples of the Holy Spirit. Paul preached that we cannot quench the Holy Spirit; we cannot afford to just be wood, stubble or hay. The Epistle to the Hebrews is a clarion call to Christains to be "inner court" believers; we can abide in the Holiest of Holies. A place of rest near to the Heart of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted February 26 Report Share Posted February 26 Many years ago, in English grammar, I learned about good, better and best – adjective, comparative and superlative. The teaching in Paul’s description of everyday and better dishes tells Timothy to identify that which is good and better, and then only pursue the better (if not best), which is “mature righteousness.” A few verses earlier, Paul had told Timothy to “concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple …” (message version). We/Timothy are to be like the better tableware which can be used by God for BOTH everyday and special occasions. The assumption is that we’re wrongly satisfied with being everyday containers because then we'll have more limited usefulness to Him. Paul call the attitude of satisfaction with everydayness a “childish indulgence.” Instead of indulging ourselves, we’re supposed to pursue “mature righteousness.” So, how do we pursue mature righteousness? We do this by joining those who are … 1) In honest and serious prayer before God 2) Not caught up in silly conversations or debates … argumentation. 3) Able to teach in a way both gentle and cool-headed even with those who refuse to listen. I am not certain, but it seems that Paul is saying that cleansing ourselves (he switched metaphors!) is accomplished when we pursue that which is better or best, that is "mature righteousness." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane D. Posted March 16 Report Share Posted March 16 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? Good plates and silverware go on the table whenever there is a gathering of family or friends. We use these beautiful place settings to honour those who come to dinner but more often, we use our day to day dinnerware. (I also thought that the good silverware and china are more fragile than the day to day stuff that is more durable and withstands more use). We cleanse ourselves through repentence but also, keep clean through the study of the Word and trying, daily, to walk as He would have us do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted March 17 Report Share Posted March 17 Q1. We use our good crockery and cutlery at Christmas and Easter and when we have guests. The everyday crockery is used everyday. Paul’s analogy shows us that we are like everyday vessels but God wants us to become precious crockery so that we can be of use to the Master. We do this by turning to Jesus and asking His forgiveness and following Him. We must then work on ourselves and make ourselves into precious vessels by turning away and fleeing from everything that is worldly and displeasing to Jesus. We must be set apart for the Masters use. This is something that we do every day by the choices we make, the things we get involved in, our time spent in prayer and study. The time we spend helping others, the way we treat others. Our aim each day must be to obey and serve Our Master and to live a godly life in His strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldress Rowe Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 I use my everyday tableware every day. I do not owned any special tableware. Before Christ cleaned us up we were not fit for His use. And even with His cleansing of forgiveness and holiness there is cleansing which we must do ourselves such as resisting the evil and temptations that drag us down. Our sanctification is not a one time event but a continual process. It we are to be useful to the Lord we must die daily to sin that we might be meet for the master's use. Repentance means to change one's mind, to turn away from something but it also requires us to turn to fe in Christ and the virtues of a Spirit-led life. A life of righteousness, faith, love, peace, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niyonka16 Posted March 18 Report Share Posted March 18 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? (In this scripture, Paul uses everyday household receptacles to describes two uses, special / menial and some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.) ANSWER: We tend to use our good plates (fine china) and silverware on the table for truly special occasions. When do you use your everyday tableware? ANSWER: We are inclined to use the lesser expensive dishes (the cheap ones) for our everyday use (tableware). What point is Paul making with this example? ANSWER: We all want to be useful. We want our lives to have meaning and purpose beyond ourselves. When we discover the gospel of Jesus, our possibilities for real use and purpose expand exponentially. Yet we come to Jesus in our raw state; we need to be purified and refined before we can reach our potential for His use. A tremendous promise rests before us in this passage: "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). Jesus will use us-if we make ourselves useful! The individual who cleanses himself from false teachings will be "an instrument for noble purposes." He will be "made holy", will be "useful to the Master," and will be "prepared to do any good work." A crude pottery bowl can't transform itself into a beautiful gold vessel … that's where the analogy breaks down. But men and women can! In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? ANSWER: There are two kinds of people in the church: useful and dishonorable. Cleanse yourself so you can be useful to God, and ready for every good work. Paul isn't talking about only the cleansing of forgiveness and holiness, but the cleansing we must do for ourselves, to flee from evil and shun the temptations that drag us down, so they no longer control our lives. Yes, God is at work. But here, Paul emphasizes our part: "If a person cleanses himself" (2 Timothy 2:21a). The most important thing any of us can do before worship is to truly cleanse ourselves spiritually as we prepare to come to praise the Lord. Wash first, then worship. In order to prepare ourselves for worship we should examine ourselves and confess our sins to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clelie Posted March 19 Report Share Posted March 19 My best plates or silverware are used for invitees or for celebrating a special occasion. The everyday tableware is as said for every use where there is no such importance attached to it. when we become especial for God’s use , we are called for more important mission for His glory, like apostle Paul. For God to use us we need to die to self but live for His purpose in obedience to His call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicolaas A.P. Mostert Posted March 21 Report Share Posted March 21 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When there is a special occasion. You have invited guest of honor, then you want to show case your best. When do you use your everyday tableware? During the normal house keeping times. On a daily basis the house family gathers for eating. What point is Paul making with this example? They are both useful, but the homeowner takes great pride in one, but only tolerates the other. In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? To flee from evil and shun the temptations that drag us down, so they no longer control our lives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted March 23 Report Share Posted March 23 Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? A1. A good plate and silverware are often put on the table to serve important visitors especially at important occasions. We can clean ourselves for the Lord’s use by confessing our sins and ensuring we stay away from anything that leads us to sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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