Luke 17:7-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 17:1-10

We are here taught, I. That the giving of offences is a great sin, and that which we should every one of us avoid and carefully watch against, Luke 17:1, 2. We can expect no other than that offences will come, considering the perverseness and frowardness that are in the nature of man, and the wise purpose and counsel of God, who will carry on his work even by those offences, and bring good out of evil. It is almost impossible but that offences will come, and therefore we are concerned to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 17:1-10

17:1-10 Jesus said to his disciples, "It is impossible that snares to sin should not arise; but woe to him through whom they do arise! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to trip up. "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in the day, and if seven times he turns to you,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 17:7

But which of you having a servant ploughing ,.... In order to keep the disciples humble in the performance of such miraculous works; and that they might not imagine they could have any thing at the hands of God by merit; and to excite them to go on from one duty to another; and never think they have done, or done enough, or more than what is their duty, Christ delivers the following parable. Which of you having a servant ploughing, or feeding cattle ; or "sheep", as the Syriac and Persic... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 17:8

And will not rather say to him ,.... Or, "will he not say to him?" it is very likely, it is more agreeable to the language of a master, and the condition of a servant, that he should say to him, make ready wherewith I may sup : by dressing the food, spreading the table, and putting the food on it; for it was the business of servants to prepare, as at the passover; see Gill on Matthew 26:17 so at ordinary suppers: and gird thyself and serve me ; by giving him drink, or whatsoever he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 17:9

Doth he thank that servant ,.... As if he had done him a favour, and what he was not obliged to; because he did the things that were commanded him ? for, as a servant, he ought to do them, and in so doing does but his duty: he may indeed be commended for it, but not thanked: I trow not ; or "I think not"; it do not seem so to me, as if he would, or, as though it was proper and necessary he should. The Ethiopic version leaves out this last clause. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 17:10

So likewise ye ,.... This is the accommodation and application of the parable to the disciples of Christ, who whether ministers or private believers, are as servants, and should be as laborious as the ploughman, and the shepherd; and as their condition is, so their conduct should be like theirs: the employment of the ministers of the word lies in reading, prayer, meditation, and study; in preaching the word, and administering the ordinances; and in performing other duties of their office:... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 17:7-9

Which of you, having a servant - It is never supposed that the master waits on the servant - the servant is bound to wait on his master, and to do every thing for him to the uttermost of his power: nor does the former expect thanks for it, for he is bound by his agreement to act thus, because of the stipulated reward, which is considered as being equal in value to all the service that he can perform. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 17:10

We are unprofitable servants - This text has often been produced to prove that no man can live without committing sin against God. But let it be observed, the text says unprofitable servants, not sinful servants. If this text could be fairly construed to countenance sinful imperfection, it would be easy to demonstrate that there is not one of the spirits of just men made perfect, in paradise, nor a ministering angel at the throne of God, but is sinfully imperfect: for none of these can work... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 17:7

Verse 7 The object of this parable is to show that God claims all that belongs to us as his property, and possesses an entire control over our persons and services; and, therefore, that all the zeal that may be manifested by us in discharging our duty does not lay him under obligation to us by any sort of merit; for, as we are his property, so he on his part can owe us nothing. (317) He adduces the comparison of a servant, who, after having spent the day in severe toil, returns home in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 17:10

Verse 10 10.We have done what we were bound to do. That is, “we have brought nothing of our own, but have only done what we were bound by the law to do ” Christ speaks here of an entire observance of the law, which is nowhere to be found; for the most perfect of all men is still at a great distance from that righteousness which the law demands. The present question is not, Are we justified by works? but, Is the observance of the law meritorious of any reward from God? This latter question is... read more

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