2 Timothy 2:20-26

"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. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:20-26, NKJV)

Paul’s instruction to Timothy establishes a pastoral framework that directly applies to navigating disagreements over Bible translations. Rather than engaging in contentious disputes, pastors should avoid foolish and stupid arguments, because they produce quarrels (2 Tim 2:20–26). This principle cuts to the heart of translation controversies—they often devolve into unproductive conflict that damages the congregation.

The character requirements for pastoral leadership are equally clear. The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful (2 Tim 2:20–26). A pastor navigating a community with diverse Bible versions should embody these qualities rather than weaponize translation differences. To be effective, a Christian should possess sterling character, the discernment to avoid quarreling, and the ability to speak kindly and gently—then God may use a teacher to lead people to repent[1].

Crucially, Paul instructs Timothy on how to address those holding differing positions. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Tim 2:20–26). This approach assumes that those disagreeing about translations may be genuinely mistaken rather than malicious—they require patient instruction, not condemnation.

The vessel metaphor reinforces this: In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (2 Tim 2:20–26). A pastor becomes a vessel of honor by maintaining personal integrity and refusing to participate in divisive quarrels—regardless of others’ translation preferences.

[1] Daniel M. Doriani and Richard D. Phillips, 2 Timothy & Titus, ed. Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani, Reformed Expository Commentary (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2020), 55.