2 Timothy 2:20-21

Paul starts talking about vessels. Paul also talks about vessels in Romans 9, where he talks about election and the sovereignty of God. The point here in 2 Timothy is first about the fact that there are not only vessels for honorable use but also for dishonorable use. Some households may have had gold or silver items that were certainly better and honorable to be used. However, the things made of wood or clay weren't honorable and perhaps considered cheap and easily thrown away. Paul seems to relate people to these vessels, and that cleansing from what is dishonorable can make them into a vessel made for honorable use.