the Seventh Week after Epiphany
Click here to join the effort!
Read the Bible
King James Version
Luke 17:10
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- InternationalDevotionals:
- ChipParallel Translations
So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
So likewise yee, when yee haue done all those things, which are commanded you, say, We are vnprofitable seruants: wee haue done that which was our duetie to doe.
In the same way, when you have done all that you were commanded, you should say, ‘We are worthless
Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'"
Thus *ye* also, when ye shall have done all things that have been ordered you, say, We are unprofitable bondmen; we have done what it was our duty to do.
It is the same with you. When you finish doing all that you are told to do, you should say, ‘We are not worthy of any special thanks. We have only done the work we should do.'"
"So you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.'"
Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
And that's how it should be with you. When you've done all you should, then say, "We are merely servants, and we have simply done our duty."
It's the same with you — when you have done everything you were told to do, you should be saying, ‘We're just ordinary slaves, we have only done our duty.'"
That's the way it is with you. When you have done everything you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless servants. We have done only what we ought to have done.'"Job 1:22:3; 35:7; Psalm 16:2; Matthew 25:30; Romans 3:12; 11:35; 1 Corinthians 9:16-17;">[xr]
Thus also you, when you have done all those things which are required of you, have said, We are unprofitable servants, because what we were obligated to do, (that) have we done.
So also ye, when ye have done all the things commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants, for we have done only what we were obligated to do.
So likewise ye, when ye shal haue done all those things which are commanded you, say, Wee are vnprofitable seruants: Wee haue done that which was our duety to doe.
So lykewyse ye, when ye haue done all those thynges which are commaunded you, say, We are vnprofitable seruauntes, We haue done that which was our duetie to do.
Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
Thus you also, when you have done all the things you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done what we were obligated to do.'"
So also when you have done all things commanded you, you say, We are unprofitable slaves, for we have done what we ought to do.
It is the same with you. When you have done everything you are told to do, you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done the work we should do.'"
So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, ‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise; we have only done what was our duty.'"
So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."'
In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.'"
It is the same with you also. When you do everything you have been told to do, you must say, ‘We are not any special servants. We have done only what we should have done.'"
So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"
Thus, ye also, when ye have done all the things enjoined upon you, say - Unprofitable servants, are we, - What we were bound to do, we have done!
I think not. So you also, when you shall have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do.
Even you also, when you have done all the things which are commanded you, say, We are idle servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.
It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.'"
So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which it was our duty to do.
I think not. So likewise ye, when ye have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are but unprofitable servants: we have done what was our duty to do.
So you also, when you have obeyed all the orders given you, must say, "`There is no merit in our service: what we have done is only what we were in duty bound to do.'"
Nay, Y gesse. So ye, whanne ye han don alle thingis that ben comaundid to you, seie ye, We ben vnprofitable seruauntis, we han do that that we ouyten to do.
`So also ye, when ye may have done all the things directed you, say -- We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do -- we have done.'
Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.'"
So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Soo lyke wyse ye when ye have done all thoose thinges which are commaunded you: saye we are vnprofitable servautes. We have done: ye which was oure duetye to do.
Even so you also, when you shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable slaves; we have done that which it was our duty to do.
In the same way, when you have done all the things which are given you to do, say, There is no profit in us, for we have only done what we were ordered to do.
"So you too, when you do all the things which were commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
So likewyse ye, wha ye haue done all that is comaunded you, saye: We are vnprofitable seruauntes, we haue done that we were bounde to do.
so when you have done all that you were commanded to do, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have only done what was our duty to do.
In the same way, when you ride for me you should say, 'We're just happy to ride for you and do what you tell us to do.'"
"So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
In this way, you also, when you do all the things which are commanded of you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
1 Chronicles 29:14-16, Job 22:2, Job 22:3, Job 35:6, Job 35:7, Psalms 16:2, Psalms 16:3, Psalms 35:6, Psalms 35:7, Proverbs 16:2, Proverbs 16:3, Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah 64:6, Matthew 25:30, Matthew 25:37-40, Romans 3:12, Romans 11:35, 1 Corinthians 9:16, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 1 Corinthians 15:9, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Philippians 3:8, Philippians 3:9, Philemon 1:11, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6
Reciprocal: Genesis 32:10 - not worthy of the least of all Numbers 6:18 - and put it 1 Samuel 15:13 - I have performed Job 10:15 - righteous Jeremiah 32:23 - they have Ezekiel 1:23 - which Luke 15:29 - Lo Luke 18:12 - fast 2 Corinthians 12:11 - though
Cross-References
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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, waiting, loving, and doing one good work or another; as preaching or praying, reading, hearing, and doing acts of benevolence and charity; and God and Christ are to be served by them in the first place, and then themselves: but some that would be called the servants of Christ, mind their own bellies, and not the service of Christ at all; others in the service of Christ, seek nothing but themselves; others are for the serving themselves first, and then Christ; but the true servants of Christ, serve him in the first place, and seek first his righteousness, and his kingdom, and the honour of it, believing that all other things shall be added to them: and when these have done all that are commanded them, they are not to think their service thank worthy: as for instance, if the service be preaching the word, a man so employed ought to be thankful to God, that has bestowed ministerial gifts upon him, and makes his labours useful, and uses him as an instrument, to do much good to the souls of men, and for his glory, and has put such an honour upon him; but he is not to expect thanks from God, for his most diligent and faithful performance of his work, or imagine that he merits any thing at his hand thereby: or if the business be hearing the word, a man should be thankful to God, for the word, ordinances, and ministers, for liberty of waiting upon God in such a way; for health of body, and inclination of mind, for such service; and for all the good, profit, and advantage, he gains hereby; but he is not to think that he lays God under any obligation to him by so doing, or deserves thanks, or a favour from him on account of it: or if the employment be prayer, a man should be greatly thankful to the God of all grace, that there is a throne of grace for him to come to; and for a mediator, who is the way of access to God; and for the assistance of the Spirit in prayer; and for all the blessings which are given, as an answer of prayer; but he is never to entertain such a thought, that God is obliged to him for his prayers, or should thank him for them: or if the work be doing of good with worldly substance, such should be thankful to God for their substance he has given them, and for hearts to make use of it; but ought not to conclude, that they hereby merit his favour, or that this is any gain to him: but on the other hand, Christ directs his disciples, saying,
when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you; as preaching, or hearing, or reading, or praying, and every other act of divine and religious worship; or all acts of justice and benevolence among men; every duty both for matter and manner, as it should be, according to the will of God, from right principles, and to right ends, and by the assistance of the Spirit and grace of God:
say we are unprofitable servants; not in such sense as unregenerate men are, who are disobedient, and to every good work reprobate and unfit, Romans 3:12 or as the slothful servant, who did not what his Lord commanded, Matthew 25:30. Nor is this the sense, that they are unprofitable to men; for they may be, and are very useful and serviceable to men, and to the saints; but that they are so to God, by whose grace and strength they are what they are, and do what they do; and can give nothing to him but what is his own, and his due; and so can lay him under no obligation to them, nor merit any thing from him; no, not even thanks, and much less heaven and eternal life. The Persic version, quite contrary to the sense of the words reads, "we are pure or clean servants, for we have done", c. and the Ethiopic version leaves out the word "unprofitable", and reads "we are servants" we acknowledge ourselves to be servants:
we have done that which is our duty to do; wherefore, as diligence is highly proper, and reasonable in doing the work of the Lord, humility is necessary, that a man may not arrogate that to himself, which do not belong to him; or boast of his performances; or place any dependence on them: or have his expectations raised on account of them; since when he has done the most and best, he has done but what he should, and what he was obliged to, and in that is greatly deficient: a saying somewhat like this, is used by R. Jochanan ben Zaccai z;
"if thou hast learned the law much, do not ascribe the good to thyself; for, for this wast thou created.''
z Pirke Abot. c. 2. sect. 8.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Are unprofitable servants - We have conferred no favor. We have âmeritedâ nothing. We have not âbenefitedâ God, or laid him under âobligation.â 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 âprofitableâ to God Job 22:2; he âneedsâ 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 âduty;â we cannot lay claim to having rendered any service that will âbindâ 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 cheerfully, and faithfully as we ought; we are far, very far from the example set us by the Saviour; and if we are saved and rewarded, it will be because God will be merciful to our unrighteousness, and will remember our iniquities no more, Hebrews 8:12.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
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, 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.
