Luke 17:10

when ye shall have done alt and this can never be, Psalms 143:2. Even if it could "non est beneficiumsed officiumfacere quod debetis," Sen. Controv.

We are unprofitable servants The same word for unprofitable occurs in Matthew 25:30; Romans 3:12. This verse, like many others (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:27), cuts at the root of the whole Romish notion as to the possibility of -works of supererogation," see Article XIV. "Servi inutiles sunt, insufficientes quia nemo tantum timet, tantum diligit Deum, tantum credit Deo quantum oportuit," Augsb. Conf. "We sleep half our lives; we give God a tenth of our time; and yet we think that with our good works we can merit Heaven. What have I been doing to day? I have talked for two hours. I have been at meals three hours. I have been idle four hours. Ah! enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord!" Luther. Yet in a lower sense though -insufficient," though -unmeritorious" it is possible for us to be -good and faithful servants," Matthew 25:21; Matthew 25:23.