Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 2 Timothy 2:21 - 2:21

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Ezekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 2 Timothy 2:21 - 2:21


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Ver. 21. There follows, therefore, a virtual exhortation to separate oneself from this class, and make sure of reaching the state and destination of the other. Without explaining what corresponded to the two kinds of vessels, taking for granted that this was understood, the apostle says, If any one, then, shall have purged himself from these—that is, as Bengel well explains, shall by purifying himself have gone out of their number, those, namely, represented by the vessels associated with dishonour—he shall be a vessel for honour, sanctified, serviceable to the Master, prepared for every good work. Looking at the matter simply from a human point of view, and as connected with each man’s personal responsibilities, the apostle merely points to the result to be aimed at and attained, leaving it to be ascertained from the great principles of the gospel how the end in question was to be accomplished. He contents himself with putting before men a plain practical issue: moving no question about election, or about adoption into the family of God; but simply teaching, as Calvin well puts it, “that all who would consecrate themselves to the Lord must purge themselves from the filthiness of the ungodly—the same, indeed, that God everywhere teaches. For we hear nothing else in this passage than what we find in many other parts of Paul’s epistles, and particularly in his second to the Corinthians: Be ye clean who bear the vessels of the Lord. It is hence clear beyond contradiction that we are called to holiness. But the calling and duty of Christians is one thing, and it is another whence the faculty or power of effecting it. That the faithful are required to purify themselves, we deny not; but that this is a matter which belongs to the Lord, He declares Himself, when through the prophet Ezekiel He promises to send forth the Holy Spirit, that we may be cleansed (Eze_36:25). Wherefore Ave should rather beseech the Lord to purge us, than vainly make trial in such a matter of our own strength without His aid.” In a word, the thing itself must be done by us: every individual should lay it upon his conscience as a condition he is morally bound to have made good; but when he comes in earnest to attempt it, he finds he can only succeed by throwing himself on the redeeming mercy and sanctifying grace of God.