Lucas 12

Lucas 12

Vincent adds that in the Greek culture the steward was the one who "assigns to the members of the household their several duties, and pays to each his wages. The paymaster. He kept the household stores under lock and seal, giving out what was required; and for this purpose received a signet-ring from his master." Wealthy homeowners appointed gifted and educated slaves as chief executive officers over their affairs. Oikonomos - 10v - manager(3), managers(1), steward(2), stewards(3), treasurer(1). Lk. 12:42; Lk. 16:1; Lk. 16:3; Lk. 16:8; Rom. 16:23; 1 Co. 4:1; 1 Co. 4:2; Gal. 4:2; Tit. 1:7; 1 Pet. 4:10 Servants (2322)(therapeia from therapeuo = to heal, serve) means voluntary service, attendance, ministry as in the care of the sick to whom they bring relief or healing (Luke 9:11; Rev. 22:2). Speaks of the one giving help. In Lk 12:42 it describes the group of servants working in a particular household. Friberg - (1) as medical care healing, treatment (Lk 9.11); figuratively, as prosperity for the nations healing, cure (Rev 22.2); (2) plural, by metonymy, of those who render service, as synonymous with a household, household attendants, servants (Lk 12.42) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) NET Note on servants - This term therapeia describes the group of servants working in a particular household (Luke 12) Therapeia - 3x in 3v healing(2), servants(1). Lk. 9:11; Lk. 12:42; Rev. 22:2. (Note four uses if one counts Mt. 24:45 which has therapeia in the Greek Textus Receptus - the KJV). Therapeia - 6x in 6v in the Septuagint - Ge 45:16; Est. 2:12; Est. 5:1; Est. 5:2; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15 Proper time (2540) (kairos) means a point of time or period of time, time, period, frequently with the implication of being especially fit for something and without emphasis on precise chronology. Kairos in Luke and Acts - Lk. 1:20; Lk. 4:13; Lk. 8:13; Lk. 12:42; Lk. 12:56; Lk. 13:1; Lk. 18:30; Lk. 19:44; Lk. 20:10; Lk. 21:8; Lk. 21:24; Lk. 21:36; Acts 1:7; Acts 3:19; Acts 7:20; Acts 12:1; Acts 13:11; Acts 14:17; Acts 17:26; Acts 19:23; Acts 24:25; Note the parallel between this parable and Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 4 (from Hendriksen Borrow Exposition of the Gospel of Luke) COMPARISON OF JESUS AND PAUL'S TEACHINGS LUKE 12 1 CORINTHIANS 4 AUTHORITY His master 1 Cor 4:4 he that examines me is the Lord RELIABILITY faithful and wise 1 Cor 4:2 that one be found trustworthy. RESPONSIBILITY give them their rations 1 Cor 4:1 stewards of the mysteries of God ACCOUNTABILITY Luke 12:46 will come on a day when he does not expect be found trustworthy Luke 12:43 "Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. KJV Luke 12:43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:35-48 Are You Ready for Christ’s Return? - Steven Cole Luke 12:41-48 Reward and Punishment at Christ's Return - John MacArthur Related Passage: Matthew 24:46 “Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing (present tense active voice participle = he was "doing" the Master's work as his lifestyle or habitual practice) when he comes. RELIABILITY AT HIS RETURN REWARDED Blessed (makarios) is that slave (doulos) whom his master (kurios) finds so doing (poieo) when he comes - This is the third mention of blessing in this section (Lk 12:37, 38).The nature of the blessing is explained in Luke 12:44. Doing is present tense active voice participle meaning he/she was "doing" the Master's work (and will) as his/her lifestyle or his/her habitual practice. That is, he is doing the job which had been assigned to him to accomplish. Note it says not "if" he comes, but "when" he comes, again alluding to the sure blessed hope of Jesus' Second Coming. The date of the "when" is not known, but it is a certainty, not a possibility. Why is the slave so doing? Because he is faithful (pistos) and sensible (phronimus). THOUGHT - Blessing is the reward for faithfully serving the master, and for believer faithfully accomplishing the good works which God prepared for them. As Paul explains "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10+). The only good works are in Christ Jesus (cf fruit borne by abiding in the Vine - Jn 15:5. 1Cor 6:20 1Cor 15:58 Eph 6:7 Heb 13:17 1 Ti 6:20 2Ti 1:14 1Pe 5:2-3) If you are a church leader and are faithfully carrying out His task in the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of the Lord (not "your" glory), you shall be blessed at the return of the Master. Many a humble steward who has labored without much worldly recognition (cf 1 Cor 4:3) in that great future "accounting day" (bema) will be richly rewarded by the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Cor 5:10+). Steven