Luke 17:9

οὐ δοκῶ. Omitted in אBLX. Copt. Arm. &c.

9. μὴ ἔχει χάριν …; ‘He does not thank that slave, does he?’ i.e. does he feel or express any special gratitude to him (ἔχει χάριν, 1 Timothy 1:12). As a matter of fact, men are not in the habit of acknowledging the daily service of their dependents. Our Lord draws from this common circumstance of life a rebuke of the spirit which would spin out to eternity a selfish desire for personal rewards (Matthew 19:27; Matthew 20:21).

[οὐ δοκῶ.] The words are probably genuine, though omitted in אBL, &c. There is a touch of irony in them, and doubtless they express a passing shade of disapproval at the thanklessness and discourtesy with which dependents are too often treated. The other side of the picture—God’s approval of our efforts—is given in Luke 12:37; Revelation 3:20.