Great can refer to size (hence Good News Translation “large”) or more likely to quality (“majestic,” “elegant,” or “magnificent”).

Vessels translates a generic term for any kind of utensil; for example, jar, bowl, dishes, or vase. An equivalent generic term is present in many languages. However, in languages where this is not so, it will be necessary to give two or three specific kinds of utensils and indicate that these are examples of a much larger group (compare Good News Translation “dishes and bowls of all kinds”).

There are four kinds of utensils mentioned but divided into two groups: the special and the ordinary. The special ones are those made of silver or gold, while the ordinary ones are those made of wood or earthenware, because these materials are considered frail, impermanent, and inexpensive, contrasted to silver and gold that are thought to be durable and permanent, and expensive. Earthenware translates a term that refers to anything that is made of clay and therefore by implication weak, fragile, and transitory. There may be a cultural problem here, because nowadays utensils made of wood or clay are not considered ordinary, especially in highly sophisticated societies. It is therefore important to make clear in the translation that the utensils for noble use are those of gold or silver, and those for ignoble use are the utensils made of wood or clay. One may say, for example, “some, like the gold and silver ones, are for use on special occasions, while the others are for ordinary use.” It may also be necessary, however, to include this type of explanation in a footnote.

Noble use is literally “for honor,” for which see 1 Tim 1.17; 5.17; 6.1. Ignoble is the exact opposite of noble, literally “for dishonor.” The word contains the elements of indignity, dishonor, or disgrace. In the present context these two terms describe the occasions in which these utensils are used: those made of gold or silver are for “special” occasions, while those made of wood or clay are for “ordinary” use.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .