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- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Therefore--"with reference to this matter." is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants--or, would scrutinize the accounts of his revenue collectors.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The servant therefore fell down,.... At his feet, upon his knees, or on his face, to the ground; not being able to stand before him, or look him in the face, and much less to answer the demands of his law and justice; but owned the debt, and his present inability to pay, and worshipped him: the Vulgate Latin reads it, "prayed", or entreated him, saying, Lord have patience with me; give me but time, spare me a little longer, send me not to prison, and I will pay thee all: a very weak and foolish promise, but what is usual for men in such circumstances to make. Thus men, under guilt, and dreadful apprehensions of wrath and ruin, frequently promise, that if their lives are but spared, what they will do for God, and in a religious way; and very foolishly and ignorantly imagine, that by their humiliation and tears, their prayers and other services by their good lives and conversations, for the future, they shall be able to make compensation to God for all the iniquities they have been guilty of: which shows them to be exceeding ignorant of the nature of sin, which is committed against an infinite being, and therefore reconciliation for it cannot be made by finite creature; as also of the nature of their duties and services, which, when performed, in ever so good a manner, can never make satisfaction for past offences, these being duties they are obliged to perform; and would have been equally obliged thereunto if they had never offended; and likewise betrays great vanity, pride, boasting, and conceit of themselves, and abilities, as that they shall be able, in a little time to pay all, when they have nothing at all to pay with: and was patience to be exercised towards them ever so long, they would still be in the same condition, and in no better capacity to make payment; but, on the contrary, would still run a larger score, and be more and more in debt. Indeed, the patience and longsuffering of God to his people is salvation; not that by giving them time, and bearing with them, they discharge their debts, and work out their salvation; but waiting upon them to be gracious to them, he brings them to repentance, to a sense of themselves and sins, and to an acknowledgment of them, and leads them, by faith, to his Son for righteousness, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life; but as for others, his patience towards them, and forbearance of them, issue in their everlasting destruction, which, by their iniquities, they are fitted for.
The Unforgiving Servant
22Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!23Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlements, a debtor was brought to him owing ten thousand talents.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The New Convenant Life and Church
By Zac Poonen1MAT 18:23LUK 10:38ROM 5:91CO 12:24EPH 1:6PHP 2:8HEB 8:101PE 3:7Zac Poonen delivers powerful messages at the Tuticorin Conference, emphasizing the importance of being justified by Christ's blood and accepted in Him, leading to a sinless past in God's eyes through repentance, maintaining a good conscience, and forgiving others. He highlights the need to listen to the Lord Jesus constantly to destroy idols in our lives, showcasing humility through total obedience and dying to our own will. Poonen also stresses the significance of living with understanding and care towards our spouses, teaching our children to prioritize Christ above worldly desires, and building a united 'family' in the Body of Christ.
Show Mercy Out of Gratitude
By Zac Poonen1ForgivenessGratitudeMAT 18:23Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of living a life of gratitude for the forgiveness we have received from God, as demonstrated in the parable of the unmerciful servant. He illustrates that while the servant was forgiven an enormous debt, he failed to extend the same mercy to others, leading to dire consequences. Poonen argues that true gratitude should compel us to show mercy, reflecting the spirit of Christ, who forgave even those who wronged Him. He warns that failing to forgive others can lead to spiritual torment and unrest, urging believers to embody the new covenant of love and forgiveness. Ultimately, we are called to bless others and follow Jesus' example of unconditional love.
On the Other Side
By K.P. Yohannan1GraceCompassionMAT 18:23K.P. Yohannan shares a transformative story of a lawyer whose life changed after a tragic accident that forced him to confront his own imperfections. Through his journey of relearning basic skills, he developed compassion and grace towards others, especially his daughter, who he once would have criticized. Yohannan emphasizes that we often impose unrealistic standards on others, forgetting our own struggles, and calls for a shift towards understanding and supporting one another. He illustrates this with biblical examples, including Jesus' interactions with sinners, urging us to embody Christ's compassion and be a source of support for those in need. Ultimately, the sermon encourages us to recognize our shared humanity and extend grace as we walk together in faith.
Never Forget What He Did for You
By David Wilkerson0MercyForgivenessMAT 18:23David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of remembering the mercy we have received from God, illustrated through the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35. He highlights how the servant, after being forgiven a great debt, failed to extend mercy to another who owed him a small amount, revealing a lack of self-awareness regarding his own unworthiness. Wilkerson shares a personal revelation from God about his own judgmental spirit and the need to reflect on the mercy shown to him, urging listeners to recognize their own past sins before judging others. He concludes that true mercy can only be offered when we remember the depths from which we have been saved. This understanding fosters compassion and prevents us from being harsh towards those who are struggling.
Deal Gently
By Samuel Logan Brengle0RestorationGentleness2SA 18:5MAT 18:23Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the importance of dealing gently with others, drawing parallels between King David's plea for Absalom and Jesus' compassion for sinners. Despite Absalom's rebellion, David's love for his son led him to request mercy from his generals, reflecting the heart of Jesus who desires to restore the wayward. Brengle warns against the harshness of those who, like Joab, may act in zeal but ultimately harm rather than heal, urging believers to embody gentleness and love in their interactions. He highlights that true gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit, attainable through a close relationship with Jesus, and essential for restoring the backslider. The sermon calls for a balance of firmness and gentleness, encouraging believers to reflect Christ's character in their dealings with others.
No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Harm Himself - Part 2
By St. John Chrysostom0PSA 139:23ISA 41:10DAN 1:10DAN 3:16JON 3:4MAT 18:23JHN 14:1ROM 8:311CO 10:131PE 5:8John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of not harming oneself, emphasizing that no external force or circumstance can harm a person who remains vigilant and sober in the Lord. He uses examples from the Bible, such as the three children in the fiery furnace, to illustrate how even in the face of captivity, exile, and severe trials, those who remain faithful to God emerge victorious and unharmed. Chrysostom highlights the power of true doctrine and unwavering faith in overcoming challenges, showcasing how those who do not betray themselves can turn Heaven-sent wrath and adversity into opportunities for greater glory and spiritual growth.
(The Full Gospel) 15. What a Happy Year It Will Be
By Zac Poonen0LEV 25:10JER 15:19MAT 7:2MAT 18:23MRK 2:27LUK 15:11JHN 7:38GAL 3:13COL 2:14HEB 4:91PE 4:8Zac Poonen preaches on the significance of the Sabbath and God's laws, emphasizing that they are meant to benefit humanity and bring happiness. He highlights the importance of starting each day in rest and fellowship with God, following the pattern set by Adam, and the need to forgive and release others as God has forgiven us. Poonen delves into the concept of the Sabbath rest under the new covenant, symbolizing a continuous state of jubilee where debts are forgiven and relationships are restored. He stresses the power of gratitude in serving the Lord under grace and the necessity of forgiving others daily to maintain God's forgiveness towards us.
A Closer Look at Forgiving
By David Servant0MAT 6:15MAT 18:23LUK 17:3ACT 7:60REV 6:9David Servant preaches on the importance of forgiveness, emphasizing the need to show mercy to others as we have received mercy from God. He delves into Jesus' Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, highlighting the consequences of unforgiveness and the requirement for us to forgive others in order to receive forgiveness from God. Servant explains that forgiveness leads to reconciliation, illustrating this through biblical examples and teachings. He addresses common misconceptions about forgiveness and provides insights on when and whom God expects us to forgive, emphasizing the significance of repentance in the process of forgiveness.
The Parables of Jesus
By Zac Poonen0MAT 7:24MAT 9:16MAT 13:24MAT 13:31MAT 13:33MAT 13:44MAT 13:47MAT 18:23MAT 20:1MAT 21:28MAT 21:33MAT 22:2MAT 24:45MAT 25:1MAT 25:14MAT 25:31MRK 4:3MRK 4:26LUK 6:39LUK 7:31LUK 7:41LUK 10:30LUK 11:5LUK 11:11LUK 12:16LUK 13:6LUK 14:7LUK 14:28LUK 14:31LUK 15:3LUK 15:8LUK 15:11LUK 16:1LUK 17:7LUK 18:1LUK 18:9LUK 19:12LUK 21:29Zac Poonen preaches on various aspects of entering God's Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of good soil for spiritual growth, the need to be properly clothed with Christ's righteousness, and the significance of building our lives on a solid foundation of obedience. He also delves into the concept of paying the price in following Christ, highlighting the effortless growth that comes from following the Spirit's laws and the necessity of valuing Jesus above all else. Poonen addresses the themes of loving God and man, the danger of legalism, the different types of backsliders, spiritual pride, watching and praying, and being faithful with God's gifts.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Therefore--"with reference to this matter." is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants--or, would scrutinize the accounts of his revenue collectors.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The servant therefore fell down,.... At his feet, upon his knees, or on his face, to the ground; not being able to stand before him, or look him in the face, and much less to answer the demands of his law and justice; but owned the debt, and his present inability to pay, and worshipped him: the Vulgate Latin reads it, "prayed", or entreated him, saying, Lord have patience with me; give me but time, spare me a little longer, send me not to prison, and I will pay thee all: a very weak and foolish promise, but what is usual for men in such circumstances to make. Thus men, under guilt, and dreadful apprehensions of wrath and ruin, frequently promise, that if their lives are but spared, what they will do for God, and in a religious way; and very foolishly and ignorantly imagine, that by their humiliation and tears, their prayers and other services by their good lives and conversations, for the future, they shall be able to make compensation to God for all the iniquities they have been guilty of: which shows them to be exceeding ignorant of the nature of sin, which is committed against an infinite being, and therefore reconciliation for it cannot be made by finite creature; as also of the nature of their duties and services, which, when performed, in ever so good a manner, can never make satisfaction for past offences, these being duties they are obliged to perform; and would have been equally obliged thereunto if they had never offended; and likewise betrays great vanity, pride, boasting, and conceit of themselves, and abilities, as that they shall be able, in a little time to pay all, when they have nothing at all to pay with: and was patience to be exercised towards them ever so long, they would still be in the same condition, and in no better capacity to make payment; but, on the contrary, would still run a larger score, and be more and more in debt. Indeed, the patience and longsuffering of God to his people is salvation; not that by giving them time, and bearing with them, they discharge their debts, and work out their salvation; but waiting upon them to be gracious to them, he brings them to repentance, to a sense of themselves and sins, and to an acknowledgment of them, and leads them, by faith, to his Son for righteousness, forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life; but as for others, his patience towards them, and forbearance of them, issue in their everlasting destruction, which, by their iniquities, they are fitted for.