With (2 Timothy 2:22)

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”

English teachers like my mother insist that punctuation is vital and can severely impact the meaning of a text. They are right, of course. However, Biblical texts are a special problem when it comes to punctuation. They didn’t have commas back then, and translators often have to make a judgment call as to the exact meaning of a sentence.

In the case above, the last comma makes a huge difference. I, for one, agree with the English translators. German texts offer a different reading. They render the text, “peace with those who call…”

What’s the big difference? I think this text is calling for accountability in community. The German reading makes it simply a list of things we strive to achieve. The English reading encourages us to flee the dishonorable and pursue virtue in community. And this is a big part of what life in the Kingdom of God is supposed to be like. We live in relationship. We strengthen each other. We help one another to stand strong and resist our worst impulses. Not following prescriptive, limited rules, but helping each other in love.