Lucas 17

Lucas 17

William MacDonald - The true bondslave of Christ has no reason for pride. Self-importance must be plucked out by the roots and in its place there must be a true sense of unworthiness. (Believer's Bible Commentary - borrow. This resource is always worth checking) Life Application Study note is a good word - Jesus is not suggesting that our service is meaningless or useless, nor is He advocating doing away with rewards. He is attacking unwarranted self-esteem and spiritual pride. (Luke Application Study Notes - Pdf of Luke ) David Thompson has an interesting thought that "Most people see themselves as unworthy when they face their sin, but Christ is challenging a disciple to see himself as unworthy when they are in His service." As Paul says we are to serve "heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Col 3:23-24+) NET Note adds that "Some translations describe the slaves as "worthless" (NRSV) or "unworthy" (NASB, NIV) but that is not Jesus' point. These disciples have not done anything deserving special commendation or praise, but only what would normally be expected of a slave in such a situation (thus the translation "we have only done what was our duty"). Criswell - The point of the parable is that the nature of a master-servant relationship allows the master to make such demands on his servant. Since this is the case, how much more can God expect of His servants in His kingdom. God's servant must recognize that whatever he does in God's service is still inadequate. Albert Barnes on unworthy slaves - We have conferred no favor. We have "merited" nothing. We have not "benefited" God (ED: IN THE SENSE THAT HE NEEDED ANYTHING - see Ro 11:35), or laid him under "obligation." If he rewards us (ED: WHICH HE PROMISES TO DO), it will be matter of unmerited favor. This is true in relation to Christians in the following respects: Our services are not "profitable" to God Job 22:2; he "needs" not our aid, and his essential happiness will not be increased by our efforts. The grace to do his will comes from him only, and all the praise of that will be due to him. All that we do is what is our "duty;" we cannot lay claim to having rendered any service that will "bind" him to show us favor; and, Our best services are mingled with imperfections. We come short of his glory Romans 3:23; we do not serve him as sincerely, and cheerfully, and faithfully as we ought; we are far, very far from the example set us by the Saviour; and if we are saved and rewarded, it will be because God will be merciful to our unrighteousness, and will remember our iniquities no more, Hebrews 8:12. Leon