2 Timothy 2:20 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:20 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 2:21 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 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "great", "house", "only", "vessels", "gold", "silver", "wood", and "earth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "great" and "house", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 19's "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure..." into verse 21's "If a man therefore purge himself from...", so "great" and "house" belong inside that flow. In 2 Timothy context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "great" and "house" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.