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.
But - answering the possible objection that thus "iniquity" is said to have place in the Church.
In a great house - i:e., the professing Church (1 Timothy 3:15). Paul is speaking not of those without but of the family of God (Calvin). So the parable of the sweep net (Matthew 13:47-49) gathering together of every kind, good and bad: as the good and bad cannot be distinguished while under the waves, but only when brought to shore, an believers and unbelievers continue in the same church, until the judgment makes the everlasting distinction. 'As in Noah's ark there were together the leopard and the kid, the wolf and the lamb, so in the Church the righteous and sinners, vessels of gold and silver, with vessels of wood and earth' (Jerome, 'Contra Luciferianos,' 302) (cf. Matthew 20:16).
Vessels of gold and of silver - precious and able to endure fire.
Of wood and of earth - fragile, and soon burnt (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 1 Corinthians 15:47).
Some ... some - the former ... the latter.
To dishonour (Proverbs 16:4; Romans 9:17-23).