Paragraph 2:20–21

In this paragraph, Paul compared the church to a house. He also compared Christians to various types of utensils in a house.

Normally, Paul used the term “church” to refer only to the group of true believers. This paragraph may be the only place in the New Testament where Paul spoke of the church (“house”) in a broad sense that included not only true believers, but also those who claim to be believers.

The figurative language extends over two verses, so you need to try to retain the image.

2:20a

In Greek the verse begins with the conjunction de that the Berean Standard Bible has left untranslated. The de indicates that Paul was changing from one figure of speech (a foundation in 2:19) to another figure (a house). Some English versions have tried to indicate the change of figure with the conjunction “Now,” like the New American Standard Bible has done. But here, the English word “Now” does not have its normal meaning of “at this time.” Rather, it indicates a connection between topics, not simply between sentences. Many English versions omit translating the conjunction but indicate the change of subject by beginning a new paragraph.

A large house: The term large house refers to the house of a rich person. The New Living Translation (2004 Revision) translates this term as “wealthy home.”

vessels: The term vessels here refers to things like dishes, bowls, and jars. Some languages have a generic term like “containers” or “articles” for all of these items. Other languages do not have one generic word but can list some specific items, as in Good News Translation, which says, “dishes and bowls of all kinds.”

There are many different kinds of dishes, bowls, and other containers in the house of a wealthy person. In the same way, there are many different types of people in the church.

2:20b–c

of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay: The dishes and pots are not all of equal value. Some of these containers are made of expensive materials, such as gold and silver. Other containers are made of cheap materials, such as wood and clay.

The two types of containers represent various types of people in the church. (Another interpretation is that the two types of containers represent different roles that people have in the church. See also the footnotes at 2:20d and 2:20e.)

2:20d

Some indeed are for honorable use: For the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as honorable use means that people used the containers made of gold and silver for special foods when they were celebrating or when they were entertaining guests.

The containers made of gold and silver represent the true believers in the church. (This interpretation is followed by the New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, and the New Jerusalem Bible.A second interpretation of the term “noble” is that it means “special.” According to this interpretation, the gold and silver containers are those used for special occasions. For example, Good News Translation says, “some are for special occasions.” (See also New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version, Contemporary English Version.) According to this view, the containers used for special events represent those believers who have the more spectacular spiritual gifts such as prophesy.)

2:20e

but others are for common use: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as common means “dishonorable,” “disgraceful,” or “shameful.” It is the opposite of the term “honorable” that Paul used in 2:20d. People used these containers for dirty things like garbage or excrement.

The common containers (those made of wood and clay) represent false teachers, such as those to whom Paul has referred in 2:17–18. (This interpretation is followed by the New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, and God’s Word.A second interpretation of the term “ignoble” is that it means “ordinary.” According to this interpretation, the wood and clay containers are those used for common or everyday events. For example, Good News Translation says, “others for ordinary use.” (See also New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), New Century Version.) According to this view, the containers used for everyday events represent those believers who have ordinary or less spectacular gifts.)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.