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Luke 17:10
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, and all the attributes of that nature are infinitely glorious: they cannot be lessened by the transgressions of his creatures, nor can they be increased by the uninterrupted, eternal obedience, and unceasing hallelujahs, of all the intelligent creatures that people the whole vortex of nature. When ages, beyond the power of arithmetic to sum up, have elapsed, it may be said of the most pure and perfect creatures, "Ye are unprofitable servants." Ye have derived your being from the infinite fountain of life: ye are upheld by the continued energy of the Almighty: his glories are infinite and eternal, and your obedience and services, however excellent in themselves, and profitable to you, have added nothing, and can add nothing, to the absolute excellencies and glories of your God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
unprofitable--a word which, though usually denoting the opposite of profit, is here used simply in its negative sense. "We have not, as his servants, profited or benefited God at all." (Compare Job 22:2-3; Rom 11:35.)
John Gill Bible Commentary
And it came to pass as he went to Jerusalem,.... That is, Jesus, as the Persic version expresses it; though the Ethiopic version reads in the plural, "they going to Jerusalem passed", &c. that is, the disciples, or Christ with his disciples; who was now going thither to eat his last passover, and suffer and die for his people: that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee; or "between Samaria and Galilee"; as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; he steered his course through the borders of both these countries; and as he passed, Samaria was on his right hand, and Galilee on the left.
Luke 17:10
The Power of Faith
9Does he thank the servant because he did what he was told?10So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Humility
By C.H. Spurgeon2.6K48:56PSA 115:1LUK 17:101CO 4:72CO 12:7PHP 2:3In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humility in our daily lives. He uses a picture as an analogy to illustrate how our perception of ourselves can change when viewed from a different perspective. The speaker urges listeners not to be proud, as our lives are uncertain and we are ultimately nothing but mortal beings. He also warns against the temptation to take credit for God's work and encourages humility in all circumstances. The sermon concludes with the reminder that only through God's extraordinary grace can we maintain humility while serving Him.
Luke - Part 3
By Zac Poonen2.1K58:03LukeLUK 16:1LUK 17:3LUK 17:10LUK 20:25LUK 21:9LUK 21:16LUK 24:49In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a passion for lost souls and a desire to see them transformed. He shares the commission given to him by the Lord to make slaves into kings through the preaching of the Word. The preacher also highlights the significance of money in Jesus' teachings, stating that one in every six verses of Jesus' teaching in the gospels is about money. He encourages believers to be faithful stewards and to have a heart like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, rather than being like the elder brother who lacked compassion.
The Poor in Spirit Possess God's Kingdom
By Zac Poonen1.4K57:40JOB 42:6PRO 8:34MAT 5:3LUK 17:10LUK 18:1JHN 3:171CO 10:10This sermon emphasizes the importance of being poor in spirit, highlighting how true holiness comes with brokenness and humility. It contrasts legalism with genuine compassion and the need to focus on personal transformation rather than condemning others. The speaker draws insights from the story of Job, showcasing the significance of repentance, humility, and a deep encounter with God in spiritual growth.
Hearing God's Word at the Potter's House - Part 2
By Phil Beach Jr.1656:05Word Of GodHearing God's VoiceHumility and BrokennessJER 18:1LUK 2:25LUK 9:57LUK 17:10JAS 1:2Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the necessity of humility and brokenness in order to hear God's word, drawing from personal experiences of unfaithfulness and the need for divine grace. He highlights that true faith requires surrendering our desires for comfort and security, as exemplified by Jesus' call to follow Him without looking back. The sermon encourages believers to approach God with a heart willing to listen and obey, using the examples of Simeon and Anna to illustrate the qualities needed to remain at the potter's house. Ultimately, Beach Jr. reminds the congregation that our unfaithfulness stems from pride and self-sufficiency, and that we must seek to be like the humble donkey, allowing God to mold us according to His will.
Few Love the Cross of Jesus
By Thomas a Kempis1MAT 16:24LUK 9:23LUK 14:33LUK 17:10PHP 3:8Thomas a Kempis preaches about the importance of true, selfless love for Jesus, emphasizing the willingness to bear the cross, endure trials, and forsake all self-interest for the sake of Christ. He contrasts those who seek only consolation and profit with those who love Jesus for His own sake, even in the midst of suffering and without receiving comfort. True spiritual wealth lies in completely renouncing oneself and all private affections, considering oneself an unprofitable servant, and being stripped in spirit to the point of feeling alone and poor.
Hebrews 1:3-5
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 90:2LUK 17:10JHN 1:1JHN 8:121CO 2:91CO 7:29PHP 4:7HEB 1:3John Chrysostom emphasizes the reverence and awe we should have when speaking or hearing about God, as our understanding falls short of comprehending His greatness. He highlights the Son's role as the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power, showing His absolute authority and equal honor with the Father. Chrysostom warns against falling into erroneous beliefs like Sabellianism, Arianism, or denying Christ's origin, affirming Christ's unique role as the Creator and sustainer of all things. He underscores the Son's care for humanity by purging our sins through His sacrifice, sitting at the right hand of God, and being made better than the angels, obtaining a more excellent name through His inheritance.
Homily 7 on Romans
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 6:33MAT 19:29LUK 17:10ROM 3:28ROM 3:31John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of faith in justification, emphasizing that both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith without the deeds of the Law. He highlights the need to trust in God's righteousness, witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, and to understand that faith does not nullify the Law but rather establishes it. Chrysostom urges believers to show charity through good deeds, such as helping the needy, caring for the sick, and rejoicing with others. He warns against the dangers of envy and grudging, emphasizing the need to love one another as Christ loved us, shedding His blood even for His enemies.
Three Dangerous Sins
By Zac Poonen0SinHumilityMAT 5:27MAT 6:30MAT 8:10MAT 18:4MRK 6:6MRK 16:14LUK 17:10LUK 18:9HEB 3:12REV 4:10Zac Poonen addresses 'Three Dangerous Sins' that can hinder a believer's walk with God: Impurity, Unbelief, and Spiritual Pride. He emphasizes that impurity enters through our senses and manifests in our actions, urging believers to guard their eyes and tongues as seriously as one would guard their physical body. Unbelief is portrayed as an evil heart that insults God, while spiritual pride is critiqued as a common sin among those pursuing holiness, leading to judgment of others. Poonen highlights the importance of humility and faith in God’s promises for true spiritual growth.
Luke 17:5-10. the Disciples Pray for More Faith.
By Favell Lee Mortimer0MAT 11:30MAT 17:20LUK 17:4LUK 17:102CO 4:17JAS 1:5REV 4:11Favell Lee Mortimer delves into the disciples' prayer to increase their faith, which was prompted not by a mysterious revelation but by the challenging command to forgive repeated trespasses. The internal struggle between the sense of injury and the duty to forgive can only be overcome by faith, as Jesus is the ultimate source of faith. While humans cannot bestow spiritual blessings like repentance or faith, Christ has the power to enable us to conquer deep-rooted sins and forgive even the hardest trespasses, leading us to acknowledge our unworthiness and rely on God's infinite grace and promised reward.
William Edwy Vine
By John Bjorlie0PSA 25:9ISA 49:21LUK 17:101CO 3:131CO 4:2EPH 6:7John Bjorlie preaches about the life and legacy of William Edwy Vine, the author of the Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Vine, unlike many detached scholars, was a practical Christian who valued family, physical health, and spiritual habits. Through his personal experiences and spiritual discernment, Vine exemplified a life guided by faith and obedience to God's leading, especially in his missionary work and literary contributions.
Build Thou the Walls of Jerusalem
By Richard E. Bieber0PSA 51:17MAT 5:3LUK 17:10ROM 3:23ROM 12:41CO 12:12EPH 4:15EPH 4:29COL 2:19Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of believers functioning in harmony and unity as a body ministry under the direction of God, emphasizing the need for a broken spirit as the sacrifice that God requires to build a unified and loving community. He contrasts the false way of the cult, which promotes uniformity and self-made structures, with the true way of the Spirit, where God forms believers into a living, working body. A broken spirit involves humility, mercy, acknowledging God's righteousness, and being slow to speak while listening much, ultimately leading to a deep reliance on God's mercy and a transformation of the heart.
Prayer Sighs
By A.W. Pink02KI 3:19PSA 14:3PSA 53:1ECC 7:20ISA 64:6JER 11:16MAT 25:30LUK 17:10ROM 3:12EPH 2:8Greek Word Studies for an aid_number 36031 preaches on the concept of becoming useless, as described by the Greek word 'achreioo', meaning to make unprofitable or morally corrupt. This word paints a picture of rotten fruit, symbolizing something irreversibly bad and worthless. The preacher emphasizes that without Christ, human nature is soured and useless, akin to milk gone sour. The sermon delves into various Bible verses that highlight the depravity and corruption of man apart from God, emphasizing the inability of humanity to do good on their own.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
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, and all the attributes of that nature are infinitely glorious: they cannot be lessened by the transgressions of his creatures, nor can they be increased by the uninterrupted, eternal obedience, and unceasing hallelujahs, of all the intelligent creatures that people the whole vortex of nature. When ages, beyond the power of arithmetic to sum up, have elapsed, it may be said of the most pure and perfect creatures, "Ye are unprofitable servants." Ye have derived your being from the infinite fountain of life: ye are upheld by the continued energy of the Almighty: his glories are infinite and eternal, and your obedience and services, however excellent in themselves, and profitable to you, have added nothing, and can add nothing, to the absolute excellencies and glories of your God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
unprofitable--a word which, though usually denoting the opposite of profit, is here used simply in its negative sense. "We have not, as his servants, profited or benefited God at all." (Compare Job 22:2-3; Rom 11:35.)
John Gill Bible Commentary
And it came to pass as he went to Jerusalem,.... That is, Jesus, as the Persic version expresses it; though the Ethiopic version reads in the plural, "they going to Jerusalem passed", &c. that is, the disciples, or Christ with his disciples; who was now going thither to eat his last passover, and suffer and die for his people: that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee; or "between Samaria and Galilee"; as the Syriac and Arabic versions render it; he steered his course through the borders of both these countries; and as he passed, Samaria was on his right hand, and Galilee on the left.