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Forerunner Commentary
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Luke 12:47-48

The evil servants fail in their responsibility because they are not looking faithfully to Christ and hopefully toward the Kingdom. The penalty tells us that Jesus is speaking about Christians who are not ready either because they ignore their calling or because they neglect to produce fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). Faithless Christians will be judged more strictly than those who, though wicked, do not understand about the coming of the Son of Man. Professing Christians with knowledge of God's revelation will have to answer for their lack of response to God.

Their punishment seems severe until we realize that the servant who knew his master's will represents those who sin arrogantly or presumptuously (Psalm 19:12-13). Even though the servant who was ignorant of his master's will sins unwittingly, it was his business to know his master's will. In either case, each holds personal responsibility for his actions and therefore comes under judgment. All have some knowledge of God (Romans 1:20-23), and He judges according to the individual's level of responsibility.

The parable finishes with the warning that knowledge and privilege always bring responsibility. Sin is doubly sinful to the person who knows better (Numbers 15:27-31). We who know better would like God to find us with our work completed upon His return, just as Jesus was able to say to His Father, "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4-5). It would be wonderful for God to find us glorifying Him and at peace with our brethren when Christ comes.

Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants

Related Topics: Bearing Fruit | Bearing Fruits Worthy of Repentance | Faithful and True Witness | Faithfulness | Faithfulness in Little Things | Faithfulness to Christ | Faithlessness | Fruit, Bearing | Fruits of Repentance | Knowledge brings Responsibility | Neglect | Negligence | Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants | Privilege brings Responsibility | Responsibility | Responsibility, Sense of | Responsibility, Varying Levels of | Sin, Deliberate | Sin, Presumptuous | Sin, Willful

Other commentary entries containing this verse:

Matthew 27:25

Library resources that contain this verse:

Articles
Are the Jews Cursed for Deicide?
Eternal Torment?
God Our Provider
The Beast and Babylon (Part Six): The Woman's Character
Bible Studies
Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants
Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants
Sermon Transcripts
Alcohol: At The Feast And At Home
Eating Out on the Sabbath
Forms vs. Spirituality (Part 2)
God's Sense of Justice
God's Sense of Justice
God's Sense of Justice
Maintaining Good Health (Part 6)
New Covenant Priesthood (Part 11)  (2)
Preparing Your Heart
Sin (Part 1)
What Does God Really Want? (Part 2)
What Is the Church's Work Today (Part 2)
Where Is the Beast? (Part 6)
Will You Be Accounted Worthy for the Kingdom?

 

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