![]() Surely, this would not be the intent of Paul, and we know only too well that sometimes (and unfortunately so for the sake of Christian testimony) the conduct and conversation of the unsaved person is superior to that of the saved person. First of all, such a view would tend to induce a sense of superiority on the part of the gold and silver vessels, that is, the saved. The Apostle Paul classifies the various vessels in this “great house” as vessels of “gold … silver … wood … earth and some to honour, and some to dishonour.” Since no reflection is cast upon the vessels of wood and earth, it is unwarranted to say that these are vessels of dishonour and refer to the unsaved. Presently, however, let us plunge into this interesting and intriguing subject of the Christian as a vessel and note first of all Many Bible students sincerely disagree with this line of interpretation, but it is hoped that such will agree to disagree without being disagreeable.Īs our study progresses we shall seek to answer key questions which arise regarding the details of the passage and its interpretation. 3:15), though the writer is by no means dogmatic about this. The metaphor would seem to suggest “the House of God” (see 1 Tim. Some vessels are prominent and some are not, yet all in their proper place are useful whether or not they are displayed. Personally, the writer prefers not to press the metaphor, but to look at it as any “great house,” in distinction from any little house, in which a variety of vessels and utensils would normally be found. There are recognized conservative scholars supporting both sides of the issue, though the majority seem to lean toward the Christendom school of thought. Some Bible students take the “great house” to refer to the invisible Church, that is, to the one true Body of Christ whereas others in a much wider sweep of thought look at it as representative of Christendom, that is, to the visible, external Church in which there is a mixture - the tares among the wheat unreality midst reality unbelief midst belief unfaithfulness midst faithfulness false profession midst true possession wolves and pigs among sheep. This brief passage poses a problem of interpretation, out of which two schools of thought have arisen. Passing from the classroom and the serious-minded student the Apostle Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to the metaphor of “a great house” and the variety of vessels within.
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