Luke 17:10

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. SO LIKEWISE YE, WHEN YE SHALL HAVE DONE ALL THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE COMMANDED YOU, SAY, WE ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS. The word 'unprofitable' [ achreioi (G888)], though in modern English denoting the opposite of profit, is here used in its proper negative sense, 'We have not profited' or 'benefited God at all by our services.' The connection of this with the subject discoursed of may be thus expressed-`But when your faith has been so increased as both to avoid and forgive offences, and do things impossible to all but faith-even then, be not puffed up as though you had laid the Lord under any obligations to you.' (Compare...

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 answered in the negative; for God holds us for his slaves, and therefore reckons all that can proceed from us to be his just right. Nay, though it were true, that a reward is due to the observance of the law in respect of merit, it will not therefore follow that any man is justified by the merits of works; for we all fail: and not only is our obedience imperfect, but there is not a single part of it that co...

1-10 It is no abatement of their guilt by whom an offence comes, nor will it lessen their punishment that offences will come. Faith in God's pardoning mercy, will enable us to get over the greatest difficulties in the way of forgiving our brethren. As with God nothing is impossible, so all things are possible to him that can believe. Our Lord showed his disciples their need of deep humility. The Lord has such a property in every creature, as no man can have in another; he cannot be in debt to them for their services, nor do they deserve any return from him....

Verse 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 righteousness, in the smallest degree, beyond those powers which God has given them; and justice and equity require that they should exert those powers to the uttermost in the service of their _Maker_; and, after having acted thus, it may be justly said, _They_ _have done only what it was their duty to do_. The nature of God is illimitable, a...

ARE UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS - We have conferred no favor. We have “merited” nothing. We have not “benefited” God, or laid him under “obligation.” If he rewards us, 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

EXPOSITION LUKE 17:1 _The_ _Master_'_s teaching on the subject of the injury worked on the souls of others by our sins. The disciples pray for an increase of faith that they may be kept from such sins. The Lord_'_s reply. His little parable on humility. The healing of the ten lepers. The ingratitude of all save one. The question of the Pharisees as to the coming of the kingdom. The Lord_'_s answer, and his teaching respecting the awful suddenness of the advent of the Son of man._ LUKE 17:1, LUKE 17:2 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, t

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: and every private believer has business to do, which lies in the exercise of grace, as the work of faith, the labour of love and patience, of hope: and in the discharge of duty with regard to themselves, in their families, the church, and the world; and these servants should be continually employed; and when one work is done, another is to be taken in hand: saints should be always believing, hoping, wait...

Luke 17:1. _Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!_ Since the fall, we are so constituted that there are sure to be differences and disputes. It is a great mercy when men dwell together in unity. «Behold, how good and how pleasant it is.» It is a work of grace; but nature has its lustings, and lustings lead to strivings; And so, as long as the world is as it now is, «it is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come.» Let us not, therefore, be either offence givers or offence takers. When anyone offends us, let us say, «It is impossible but that offences will come,» and let us make light of it; and let us be very careful that we do not cause others to offend. As for him through whom the offence comes,...

CHAPTER 17 _ 1. Concerning Offenses and Forgiveness. (Luke 17:1)_ 2. Increase of Faith and Lowly Service. (Luke 17:5) 3. The Ten Lepers. (Luke 17:11) 4. Concerning the Kingdom and His Second Coming. (Luke 17:20) Luke 17:1 The story of the ten lepers is only found in Luke. All were cleansed by the power of God and the nine obeyed the Word of the Lord and went to the priests (Leviticus 13:1;...

LUKE 17. The chapter illustrates the difficulty experienced by Lk. in using the material at his disposal. He here brings together without any clear connexion of thought a selection of sayings of Christ, mostly paralleled in Mt., together with a miracle. LUKE 17:1 F. STUMBLING-BLOCKS. Mark 9:42 *, Matthew 18:6 f.* (note the reversed order). Luke 17:3. Take heed to yourselves probably belongs to Luke 17:2. LUKE 17:3 F. THE DUTY OF FORGIVENESS ...