Paul refers to the Church as "a great house" (II Timothy 2:20) whereas in his earlier letter to Timothy
he calls the Church, "the house of God" (I Timothy 3:15)
This evidences a spiritual decline in the Church due to
the apostate ascension within the Church (II Timothy 4:3-4 cf.II Timothy 4:1-2)
The Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10;II Corinthians 5:10)
will sort out the different vessels based upon the doctrinal materials they used either to build up or to destroy
the Church (I Corinthians 3:9-17)
Paul exhorted Timothy to purge himself from ANYassociation withANYdishonorable vessels, so that
he may be fit for the Master's use as a sanctified vessel(II Timothy 2:21 cf.Romans 16:17-18)
Only the continuous faithful preaching of the Word (II Timothy 4:2)
"rightly divided" (II Timothy 2:15) will make one's ministry approved unto the Master and save both the
minister and the hearers from doctrinal error (I Timothy 4:16)
Paul exhorted Timothy to flee "youthful lusts" and pursue "purity of heart" (II Timothy 2:22)
The "fear of God" is what enables the believer
to be "cleansed from ALL filthiness" (II Corinthians 7:1)
The "fear of God" is the "beginning of
wisdom" and the "knowledge of the holy" is "understanding" (Proverbs 9:10)
Paul ALWAYS taught doctrinal truth as the means by which
to exhort practical behavior: