Bible Study
What Is A Vessel?
A vessel can have nautical, biological or biblical meaning. Nautically, a vessel can be a ship or large boat. In biology, a vessel refers to a duct or canal that conveys blood or other body fluid. Biblical definition of a vessel includes a container for holding something (1 Kings 10:21, 2 Chronicles 9:20, Genesis 43:11) or a person having special grace(s).
Generally then, one can say that a vessel is a medium or channel through which something is conveyed or a carrier of something precious.
In this study series, a vessel represents a person embodying a particular quality, attribute, trait, gift or talent for the service of God.
The different descriptions of this type of vessel in the Bible include;
- vessel of honor
- vessel of grace
- vessel of dishonor
- unlikely vessels
- chosen vessel (Acts 9:15)
- The Bible also talks about weaker vessels, vessels of divine wrath, vessels of divine mercy (Romans 9:22-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:4).
Unlikely Vessels
This is often used to describe persons that are not reasonably expected to function in certain roles or to successfully render certain services, usually because of some flaws or inadequacies. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, succinctly describes unlikely vessels, further suggesting that God takes pleasure in using these kind of vessels.
“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,”
I Corinthians 1:26-28 NKJV
Weaker Vessel
From 1 Peter 3:7, this refers to the wife relative to the husband in a marriage relationship.
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.“
1 Peter 3:7 KJV
I like to point out that from my understanding, this verse does not imply that the wife is lesser than the husband. However, following God’s pattern for marriage; the husband is head of the marriage union and the wife is to submit to him. The husband should not look down on the wife but treat her honorably.
Note, that same scripture also quickly points out that the wife is heirs together of the grace of life. …same grace as the husband, not a lesser grace. So before God, the wife and husband are worth the same. But in order to maintain orderliness in a home, someone has to lead, God gave that leadership role to the husband. Inspite of that, the husband should still honor the wife. Let me also point out that people give different explanations for the word ‘honor’ in 1 Peter 3:7; that is not my focus at this time, maybe in another study?
Vessel of Honor
‘But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. ‘ II Timothy 2:20-21 NKJV
‘Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. ‘ 2 Timothy 2:15-17 NLT
From 2 Timothy 2:15-26, we can learn a few truths;
There are different kinds of vessels in every great house. I believe that ‘Great house’ in this passage refers to the Body of Christ. Paul is saying there are vessels of gold and silver as well as vessels of wood and clay even in the Body of Christ. Of these 2 groups, some are for honor while others are for dishonor.
A vessel of honor (being a channel or container) is fed, filled and supplied by the Word of God. Hymenaeus and Philetus were not vessels of honor; reason being that they indulged in worthless, and foolish talk which led others to godless behavior. When we remember that a vessel is essentially a channel, medium, instrument through which God reaches His people (members of the Body of Christ), then we can begin to appreciate how important it is that the source of information a vessel transmits or communicates is right (the Word of Truth-the Word of God).
A vessel of honor is that vessel which is set apart as holy, sanctified, fully connected to, and supplied by the Master (Jesus) and therefore ready, available and useful for every good work….. the good work of reaching God’s people with God’s goodness. A vessel of honor is a workman approved by the Master (Jesus).
“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”
I Corinthians 3:9-10 NKJV
Vessel of Grace
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.
II Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
Every approved workman is an earthen vessel (in human form) carrying a treasure. This is the treasure mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:7. To gain clearer understanding of this treasure, refer to the preceding chapter; 2 Corinthians 3. Paul compares the experience of Moses functioning as a vessel (channel, medium) through which God communicated with the Israelites and the current experience of vessels of Jesus Christ. With Moses, God’s laws were engraved in stone, the people could not behold the glory of God directly, they could only behold (for awhile) the glory on Moses’ face. Even so, they considered that glory, glorious despite its transient and short-lived nature. The vessels of Christ, His approved workmen, carry a treasure that is not transient, but permanent, whose glory is overwhelming and remains forever. Halleluyah! This treasure, I believe, is the Holy Spirit; the revealer of every knowledge, wisdom and power of God in this dispensation of grace.
A vessel of honor and grace therefore is that disciple of Christ who studies to show himself approved, who reads, studies and meditates on the Word, and whose life/work is powered by the Holy Spirit.
A vessel not powered by the Holy Spirit is an empty vessel. It doesn’t even matter if such a person sleeps with the Bible under his/her pillow.
The Holy Spirit is the One who teaches us the great things of God primarily from the Word. So a life moving without the Holy Spirit is empty and powerless, headed for destruction.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 NKJV
There is no power without the Holy Spirit.
Somebody might think; how is that possible? It is. The Eunuch on the desert path in Acts Chapter 8, though not yet a disciple of Christ, was however fully immersed in his reading from the book of Esaias, but with no understanding. He was reading a life-changing prophecy (about Jesus Christ) but with no understanding. His discussion with Philip shows his desire to understand what seemed like a mystery to him as he read. The Holy Spirit Spirit immediately came to the rescue through Philip (a vessel of honour and grace).
“And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”
Acts 8:27-31, 34-35 KJV
I am a vessel of honor powered by grace. I am God’s field, His building. I am a channel; God is the One at work in me, I am not of my own. I am working for/with God. Halleluyah!
