This section of Chapter 2 has two verses:
 
2 Timothy 2:20-21
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.
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.
 
 We will begin with the Barclay's commentary as always.
 
VESSELS OF HONOUR AND OF DISHONOUR
2 Timothy 2:20–21 …paraphrased
In any great house, there are not only gold and silver vessels; there are also vessels of wood and earthenware.  And some are put to a noble use and some to an ignoble use. If anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a vessel fit to be put to a noble use, ready for any good work.
 
THE connection between this passage and the one which immediately precedes it is very practical. Paul had just given a great and high definition of the Church as consisting of those who belong to God and are on the way to righteousness.  The obvious response is: how do you explain the existence of the chattering heretics in the Church? How do you explain the existence of Hymenaeus and Philetus? Paul’s reply is that in any great house there are all kinds of utensils; there are things of precious metal and things of base metal; there are things which have a dishonourable use and things which have an honorable use. It must be so in the Church. As long as it is an earthly institution, it must be a mixture. As long as it consists of men and women, it must remain a cross-section of humanity. Just as it takes all kinds of people to make a world, so it takes all kinds of people to make the Church.
 
That is a practical truth which Jesus had stated long before, in the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24–30, 13:36–43). The point of that parable is that the wheat and the tares grow together, and, in the early stages, are so like each other that it is impossible to separate them. He stated it again in the parable of the dragnet (Matthew 13:47–8). The dragnet gathered of every kind. In both parables, Jesus teaches that the Church is necessarily a mixture and that human judgment must be suspended, but that God’s judgment will in the end make the necessary separations.
 
Those who criticize the Church because there are imperfect people in it are criticizing it because it is composed of men and women. It is not given to us to judge; judgment belongs to God.
 
But it is the duty of Christians to keep themselves free from polluting influences. And if they do that, their reward is not special honour and special privilege but special service.  Here is the very essence of the Christian faith. A really good person does not regard goodness as offering an entitlement to special honour; that person’s one desire will be to have more and more work to do, for that work will be the greatest privilege. The last thing a good person will do will be to seek to stand aloof from others. On the contrary, that person will seek to be among them, at their worst, serving God by serving them. The good person’s glory will not be in exemption from service; it will be in still more demanding service. No Christian should ever think of being fit for honour but always as becoming fit for service. ~Barclay's commentary
 
Now to the other commentaries. We will begin with the general and go to the specific.
 
From the Matthew Henry Main for verse 20:
 
Another thing that may comfort us is that though there are some whose faith is overthrown, yet there are others who keep their integrity, and hold it fast (2 Timothy 2:20): In a great house there are not only vessels of gold, etc. The church of Christ is a great house, a well-furnished house: now some of the furniture of this house is of great value, as the plate in a house; some of small value, and put to mean uses, as the vessels of wood and earth; so it is in the church of God. There are some professors of religion that are like the vessels of wood and earth, they are vessels of dishonour. But at the same time all are not vessels of dishonour; there are vessels of gold and silver, vessels of honour, that are sanctified and meet for the Master's use. When we are discouraged by the badness of some, we must encourage ourselves by the consideration of the goodness of others. Now we should see to it that we be vessels of honour: we must purge ourselves from these corrupt opinions, that we may be sanctified for our Master's use. Observe,
 
1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath, Romans 9:22-23. Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary conversation.
 
Quoted verse:
Romans 9:22-23
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
 
 Let us look at part of the commentary on Romans 9:22 so we can understand the reference to it.

Now back to the points for our verse tonight from the Matthew Henry Main:
 
2. A man must purge himself from these [corrupt opinions, false doctrines and wicked lives] before he can be a vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use.
 
3. Every vessel must be fit for its Master's use; every one in the church whom God approves must be devoted to his Master's service and meet for his use.
 
4. Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good. ~Matthew Henry Main
 
Now to the Matthew Henry Concise which covers verses 14-24
 
Those disposed to strive, commonly strive about matters of small moment. But strifes of words destroy the things of God. The apostle mentions some who erred. They did not deny the resurrection, but they corrupted that true doctrine. Yet nothing can be so foolish or erroneous, but it will overturn the temporary faith of some professors. This foundation has two writings on it. One speaks our comfort. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God hath chosen. The other speaks our duty. Those who would have the comfort of the privilege, must make conscience of the duty Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Titus 2:14. The church of Christ is like a dwelling: some furniture is of great value; some of smaller value, and put to meaner uses. Some professors of religion are like vessels of wood and earth. When the vessels of dishonour are cast out to be destroyed, the others will be filled with all the fullness of God. We must see to it that we are holy vessels. Everyone in the church whom God approves, will be devoted to his Master's service, and thus fitted for his use. ~Matthew Henry Concise
 
Quoted verse:
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
 
Now from the Biblical Illustrator:
 
The Church a kingly house
I. The true visible Church is like a great and kingly house. For, did net the King of kings contrive its platform? lay its foundation? rear its walls? and perfect its building? Doth He not protect it, dwell in it, and prescribe laws to govern it? For its circle, is not that also great, spacious? Doth it not extend itself to the four corners of the world? Who can number the inhabitants of it? or tell the tenth part of this household? Is not its provision wonderful? Do not its servants eat angels’ food, bread from heaven, and drink the choicest wines, the water of life?
 
II. In the visible Church are good and bad persons.
 
III. All God’s servants are not equally sanctified.
 
IV. Strong Christians are like vessels of gold. First, they are resembled to vessels, both good and bad persons; this is common to all. Secondly, unto vessels of gold and silver; this is proper to the good, not the bad. Why to vessels? Because they are capable to receive the water of grace and corruption, as vessels any liquid or solid matter. Again, they are of use in God’s house, like vessels in man’s. And grown Christians are like golden vessels; for they are rare, precious, pure, glorious; of honour, profit, and will endure the fire, hammer, and come out of the furnace the more purged from tin, dross, corruption. And, as noblemen engrave their arms on the one, so doth God imprint His image on the other. But you will say, How may I know myself to be such? Well enough; for golden vessels have the most fiery trials, endure much hammering, are strongest set on by the devil, have the hottest skirmishes in their captain’s army, scatter the words of grace the farthest, and rejoice in the greatest tribulation.
 
V. Weaker Christians are like vessels of silver [as compared to the gold--speaking of levels of spiritual maturity].
 
VI. The wicked are not equally corrupted.
 
VII. Persons less profane are like wooden vessels.
 
VIII. The basest sort of men be like earthen ones.
 
IX. The final estate of men is but twofold [meaning eternal life and the second death]. ~Biblical Illustrator
 
 Here is another illustration from the same commentary:
 
 Holy vessels
I. The vessels of honour are originally unholy. Were it not thus, why are we commanded to purge, to cleanse ourselves?
 
II. The vessels of honour are to be purged.
 
III. The holy are honorable.
 1. For, are not such the nearest unto the nature of God?
 2. Set apart for the noblest ends?
 3. Can any else truly hate evil? detest base courses?
 4. And who but they shall be crowned with immortal glory?
 
IV. Sanctified men are meet instruments for the use of their master.
 
V. The Lord hath use for his holy vessels.
 
VI. Sanctified persons for every good work are prepared. Not for one, but all. They can fast, pray, hear, read, meditate; deny themselves, afflict their souls, give alms, do and suffer anything. What God affirms they believe, what He commands they obey, what He doth they approve. ~Biblical Illustrator
 
 Here is another illustration:
 
Sanctified and meet for tile Master’s use
For a moment the apostle drops the figure of the house and the foundation, to take it up again in the remaining portion of the sentence. Purification from vessels would be a very incongruous figure. What Paul says is—If therefore any man shall have purged himself from these evil associations or corrupting ideas, from persons whose words are like the deadly poison of contagious gangrene, then he will be a vessel unto honour, whether his faculties cause him to resemble the golden goblet or the silver lamp; the wooden bowl or the porcelain vase; if pure and conscientious, faithful and good, he will be consecrated to noblest uses, serviceable to the Master of the house, and prepared for every good work. ~Biblical Illustrator
 
Now to the specific commentaries. Let us read verse 20 again:
 
 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.
 
The verse is in three to five parts depending on the commentary. I will give you four parts:
 
 1] But in a great house.
 2] There are not only vessels of gold and of silver.
 3] But also of wood, and of earth.
 4] And some to honour; and some to dishonour.
 
1] But in a great house.
But in a great house - Still keeping up the comparison of the church with a building. The idea is, that the church is a large edifice, and that in such a building we are not to expect entire uniformity in all the articles which it contains. ~Barnes Notes
 
But in a great house - As foundation indicates the inward, essential character of the church, οἰκία exhibits its visible, outward aspect. The mixed character of the church points to its greatness. ~Vincent's Word Studies
 
But in a great house - Here the apostle carries on the allusion introduced in the preceding verse. As the foundation of God refers to God’s building, i.e. the whole system of Christianity, so here the great house is to be understood of the same; and the different kinds of vessels mean the different teachers, as well as the different kinds of members. In this sacred house at Ephesus there were vessels of gold and silver - eminent, holy, sincere, and useful teachers and members, and also vessels of wood and of earth - false and heretical [huh-ret-i-kuh] teachers, such as Hymenaeus [Hi may nay us] and Philetus [Phi-le-tus], and their followers. There are also in such houses vessels employed, some in a more honorable, others in a less honorable, office. To these he seems also to compare the same persons. ~Adam Clarke
 
But in a great house - This simile the apostle makes use of, to show that it need not seem strange, nor should it be distressing to anyone's mind, to hear that men of such wicked principles and practices should be in the church of God, who are before mentioned; since in every great house or palace, the house of a nobleman, or palace of a king, there is a variety of vessels of different matter, and for different uses, and some are mean, despicable, and dishonourable; and so it is in the church of God: for by this great house, in the application of the simile, is not meant the world, as some think; for though that is a house built by God, who built all things; and is a very large one, and full of inhabitants, comparable to vessels; and there are in it both good and bad, as always have been; yet it is no startling thing to any man, that there should be bad men in it; rather the wonder is, that there should be any good; but by this house is meant the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth. ~John Gill
 
2] There are not only vessels of gold and of silver.
There are not only vessels of gold and of silver - You are not to expect to find all the articles of furniture alike, or all made of the same material. Variety in the form, and use, and material, is necessary in furnishing such a house. ~Barnes Notes
 
There are not only vessels of gold and of silver - persons who are members of the visible church, who are comparable to gold and silver, for their worth and value, and preciousness in the sight of Christ, who accounts them his jewels, and peculiar treasure; and for their excellency and usefulness in the church, by reason of those differing gifts bestowed upon them; and for their lustre and purity, both of doctrine and of life; and for their solidity and duration: ~John Gill
 
3] But also of wood, and of earth.
But also of wood, and of earth - there are others in a visible church state, who are like to dry wood, destitute of the grace of God, and are fit matter for Satan to work upon, and by them raise and increase the flames of contention and division, and will be fit fuel for everlasting burnings; and there are others who are sensual, and carnal, and worldly, who mind earth, and earthly things, and have no spirituality, nor spiritual mindedness in them: ~John Gill
 
4] And some to honour; and some to dishonour.
And some to honour, and some to dishonour - Some to most honorable uses - as drinking vessels, and vessels to contain costly viands [foods], and some for the less honorable purposes connected with cooking, etc. The same thing is to be expected in the church. See Romans 9:21. The application here seems to be, that in the church it is to be presumed that there will be a great variety of gifts and attainments, and that we are no more to expect that all will be alike, than we are that all the vessels in a large house will be made of gold. ~Barnes Notes
 
Quoted verse:
Romans 9:21
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
 
And some to honour - who are designed for honorable service, and behave honorably, and are worthy of honour in the church; are honorable officers, or members in it; and are to the honour of Christ, and the Gospel; and shall at last enjoy honour, glory, immortality, and eternal life. ~John Gill
 
And some to dishonour - who are to the disreputation of the church, the dishonour of religion, and scandal of the Gospel; by them God is dishonored, his ways evil spoken of, his doctrines blasphemed, and his name reproached; and who are themselves dishonourable among men now, and will be covered with shame and everlasting contempt hereafter. ~John Gill

Recap of this lesson:
1] The true church has many members represented by different kinds of vessels - gold, silver, wood and earthen.
2] The gold and silver vessels represent firstfruits moving forward in the Salvation Process.
3] The wood and earthen vessels represent false teachers, false members, the unconverted and the fallen away but still attending.
4] Strive to be the golden vessel.  Christ is a golden vessel.  Become like Christ.
5] Avoid relationships with the wood and earthen vessels.

6] Avoid false doctrines, false communications and false attitudes.
7] Understand why the churches of God are not always in perfect harmony.
8] See Minister's Notebook piece, "Give Me a Church in Peace and Harmony."
9] Read and understand the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24–30, 13:36–43).
10] Keep yourself from polluting influences, both religious and secular.

11] No Christian should ever think of being fit for honour but always as becoming fit for service.
12] Honor and credit the church by your exemplary conversation and conduct.
13] The more you mature in the Salvation Process, the more God can use you to specific purposes and missions.
14] Strifes of words destroy the things of God.
15] None can overthrow your faith unless you allow them to.  Christ gave Himself to redeem us from all iniquity, Titus 2:14.

16] In the visible Church are good and bad persons. 
17] All God's servants are not equally sanctified.  The differences in sanctification are based on spiritual maturity.
18] Golden vessels have the most fiery trials, endure much hammering, are strongest set on by the devil, have the hottest skirmishes in their captain’s army, scatter the words of grace the farthest, and rejoice in the greatest tribulation.
19] God commands us to continually purge and cleanse ourselves.
20] Once again, strive to be the golden vessel.