The lord of that servant will come in the day that he hopeth not, and at the hour that he knoweth not: and shall separate him and shall appoint him his portion with unbelievers.
ηξει ο κυριος του δουλου εκεινου εν ημερα η ου προσδοκα και εν ωρα η ου γινωσκει και διχοτομησει αυτον και το μερος αυτου μετα των απιστων θησει
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But our Lord here asks the question not as ignorant, who was a faithful and wise steward, but wishing to imply the rareness of such, and the greatness of this kind of chief government.
But our Lord not only by the honours kept in store for the good, but by threats of punishment upon the bad, leads the hearer to correction, as it follows, But if that servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming.
Rightly also shall the unbelieving steward receive his portion with the unbelievers, because he was without true faith.
Peter, to whom the Church had already been committed, as having the care of all things, inquires whether our Lord put forth this parable to all. As it follows, Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even unto all?
The above-mentioned parable relates to all the faithful in common, but now hear what suits the Apostles and teachers. For I ask, where will be found the steward, that possesses in himself faithfulness and wisdom? for as in the management of goods, whether a man be careless yet faithful to his master, or else wise yet unfaithful, the things of the master perish; so also in the things of God there is need of faithfulness and wisdom. For I have known many servants of God, and faithful men, who because they were unable to manage ecclesiastical affairs, have destroyed not only possessions, but souls, exercising towards sinners indiscreet virtue by extravagant rules of penance or unseasonable indulgence.
Whosoever then has been found a faithful and wise steward, let him bear rule over the Lord’s household, that he may give them their portion of meat in due season, either the word of doctrine by which their souls are fed, or the example of works by which their life is fashioned.
Or, he will make him ruler over all that he hath, not only over His own household, but that earthly things as well as heavenly shall obey him. As it was with Joshua the son of Nun, and Elias, the one commanding the sun, the other the clouds; and all the Saints as God’s friends use the things of God. Whosoever also passes his life virtuously, and has kept in due submission his servants, that is, anger and desire, supplies to them their portion of food in due season; to anger indeed that he may feel it against those who hate God, but to desire that he may exercise the necessary provision for the flesh, ordering it unto God. Such an one, I say, will be set over all things which the Lord hath, being thought worthy to look into all things by the light of contemplation.
Now from not considering the time of our departure, there proceed many evils. For surely if we thought that our Lord was coming, and that the end of our life was at hand, we should sin the less. Hence it follows, And shall begin to strike the man servants and maidens, and to eat and drink and be drunken.
Thus the faithful and wise servant prudently giving out in due season the servants’ food, that is, their spiritual meat, will be blessed according to the Saviour’s word, in that he will obtain still greater things, and will be thought worthy of the rewards which are duo to friends. Hence it follows, Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
Now to the courageous rightly belong the great and difficult of God’s holy commandments, but to those who have not yet attained to such virtue, belong those things from which all difficulty is excluded. Our Lord therefore uses a very obvious example, to shew that the above-mentioned command is suited to those who have been admitted into the rank of disciples, for it follows, And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful steward?
Now he says portion, because of suiting His measure to the capacity of his several hearers.
He says not, ‘doing,’ as if by chance, but so doing. For not only conquest is honourable, but to contend lawfully, which is to perform each thing as we have been commanded.
The body indeed is not divided, so that one part indeed should be exposed to torments, the other escape. For this is a fable, nor is it a part of just judgment when the whole has offended that half only should suffer punishment; nor is the soul cut in sunder, seeing that the whole possesses a guilty consciousness, and cooperates with the body to work evil; but its division is the eternal severing of the soul from the Spirit. For now although the grace of the Spirit is not in the unworthy, yet it seems ever to be at hand expecting their turning to salvation, but at that time it will be altogether cut off from the soul. The Holy Spirit then is the prize of the just, and the chief condemnation of sinners, since they who are unworthy will lose Him.
Or else, the form of the first command is a general one adapted to all, but the following example seems to be proposed to the stewards, that is, the priests; and therefore it follows, And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give, them their portion of meat in due season?
This concept is likewise expressed and understood within the same chapter.
It was added also in their due season, because a benefit not conferred at its proper time is rendered vain, and loses the name of a benefit. The same bread is not equally coveted by the hungry man, and him that is satisfied. But with respect to this servant’s reward for his stewardship, He adds, Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Our Lord had taught two things in the preceding parable unto all, even that He would come suddenly, and that they ought to be ready and waiting for Him. But it is not very plain concerning which of these, or whether both, Peter asked the question, or whom he compared to himself and his companions, when he said, Speakest thou to us, or to all? Yet in truth by these words, us and all, he must be supposed to mean none other than the Apostles, and those like to the Apostles, and all other faithful men; or Christians, and unbelievers; or those who dying separately, that is, singly, both unwillingly indeed and willingly, receive the coming of their Judge, and those who when the universal judgment comes are to be found alive in the flesh.
Now it is marvellous if Peter doubted that all must live soberly, piously, and justly, who wait for a blessed hope, or that the judgment will to each and all be unexpected. It therefore remains to be supposed, that knowing these two things, he asked about that which he might not know, namely, whether those sublime commands of a heavenly life in which He bade us sell what we have and provide bags which wax not old, and watch with our loins girded, and lamps burning, belonged to the Apostles only, and those like unto them, or to all who were to be saved.
For whatever difference there is in the merits of good hearers and good teachers, such also there is in their rewards; for the one whom when He cometh He finds watching, He will make to sit down; but the others whom He finds faithful and wise stewards, He will place over all that He hath, that is, over all the joys of the kingdom of heaven, not certainly that they alone shall have power over them, but that they shall more abundantly than the other saints enjoy eternal possession of them.
Observe that it is counted among the vices of a bad servant that he thought the coming of his Lord slow, yet it is not numbered among the virtues of the good that he hoped it would come quickly, but only that he ministered faithfully. There is nothing then better than to submit patiently to be ignorant of that which can not be known, but to strive only that we be found worthy.
In this servant is declared the condemnation of all evil rulers, who, forsaking the fear of the Lord, not only give themselves up to pleasures, but also provoke with injuries those who are put under them. Although these words may be also understood figuratively, meaning to corrupt the hearts of the weak by an evil example; and to eat, drink, and be drunken, to be absorbed in the vices and allurements of the world, which overthrow the mind of man. But concerning his punishment it is added, The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, that is, the day of his judgment or death, and will cut him in sunder.
Or He will cut him in sunder, by separating him from the communion of the faithful, and dismissing him to those who have never attained unto the faith. Hence it follows, And will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers; (1 Tim. 5:8.) for he who has no care for his own, and those of his own house, has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Unexpected demise occurs for those indifferent to their salvation, as declared by the Lord Himself. The Monk Barsonophius the Great reassured a brother who was anxious about an abrupt and untimely death, stating, "God will not take the soul of an ascetic battling with his passions until he reaches a great measure, until he becomes a mature individual."
The discourse subtly suggested that the Lord would be out of view for an extended period. The disciples understood that the designation of master in the initial parable referred to the Lord Himself, yet they pondered who the servants represented. Were they the disciples or the surrounding crowd? To whom does the exhortation for vigilance apply? Peter inquired of the Lord regarding this matter. He anticipated a temporary absence of the Savior, anticipating that then the kingdom of Christ would be established. The Lord, without addressing His absence, responded to their concerns relevant to everyone left behind: the expectation of awaiting their master is a responsibility for every faithful servant, which involves not only being distant from others but also from the disciples. Ultimately, those entrusted with much will be held to a higher accountability.
In relation to the call for a complete, unrestricted pursuit of heavenly riches, Jesus Christ instills in His disciples a continual awareness of their spiritual state and an eagerness to welcome the returning Lord. To illustrate this, He shares several parables: a) the story of the servants waiting for their master's arrival, which assures joy for the diligent servants who the master finds alert upon his return; b) the tale of the homeowner faced with a thief, which conveys the uncertainty of the timing of Christ's coming; c) the parable of the faithful and unfaithful steward, given in respons
e to Peter's inquiry, "Do you speak this parable to us, or to everyone?" By presenting the parable of the faithful and unfaithful steward, Jesus sets apart the apostles as stewards in His church from other servants who are under their authority. The parable teaches that a servant is greatly trusted by his master, having been placed in charge of all the household's servants; however, he is also held to a high standard: if he is found faithful upon his master's return, he will be entrusted with even greater responsibilities and put in charge of all his master's belongings; conversely, if he is deemed unfaithful, negligent, and wicked, he will be treated as if he had never been a trustworthy servant at all.
The story of the wise steward tasked with providing bread for the servants illustrates the responsibility bestowed by the master. This steward is expected to distribute bread promptly. If he acts faithfully and wisely, adhering to his master’s commands regardless of the hour of the master’s return, he will be rewarded abundantly. Conversely, if the steward, anticipating a delay from his master, mistreats the servants, withholds their rightful portion, and indulges in frivolous pleasures, his master will arrive unexpectedly and deliver him to the fate that befits a unfaithful and imprudent servant. Not only will such a negligent steward face consequences, but the servants under the master’s guidance will also be judged for failing to carry out his wishes, albeit not with equal severity.
Those who were aware of their master’s expectations yet remained unprepared for his arrival will incur the harshest penalties; those unaware of their master’s desires will face lesser chastisements. The principle holds that to whom much is given, much will be required, and from those entrusted with great responsibilities, even more will be demanded.
Upon hearing this parable, the apostles were to recognize that the Master represents Christ, who appointed them as stewards responsible for sharing the blessings of His teachings with all humanity. They received profound insights, and thus, they carry a significant obligation; deviation from His explicit will or succumbing to worldly temptations would incur a heavy burden. With Christ’s arrival, the chance to know God’s will has been granted to everyone; hence, those who fail to act upon this knowledge will face significant consequences, while those unable to grasp it will experience leniency.
Let it not escape your attention, enlightened individuals, that your education has equipped you with the key to comprehending Christ’s teachings, and you will be required to account for how you have utilized it. Have you illuminated yourself and others with the light of divine truth? Have you acted according to the will of God that you have been taught? Always keep in mind that you have received much, and therefore much will be expected of you. In light of this, be strict and discerning with yourselves while showing mercy to those who have received less, for Christ will require little from them.
They must diligently cultivate spiritual vigilance and seek repentance (Luke 12:36-40). "Be like men who wait for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that when he arrives and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes." He will bestow upon them rewards and honor them with a magnificent feast, serving them with great joy. However, if the servants do not anticipate his arrival and he returns unexpectedly to find disorder, injustice, and conflict among them, those in wrongdoing will face the consequences they deserve.
That moment will arrive unannounced, and while it signifies a time of reward for all faithful servants, it also represents a day of reckoning for those who fall short of their responsibilities and are unprepared for such a momentous occasion. To impress upon their hearts the significance of vigilance and fidelity, and to caution them against the perils of complacency and neglecting their watchful spirits, He shared two parables—the 'ten virgins' and the 'talents' (Matthew 25:1-30).
The Lord does not provide a clear response to Peter's inquiry about whether the earlier tidal communication pertains solely to the Apostles or to all believers. However, from the subsequent, similarly tidal expression, it is evident that Apostle Peter must have realized that the message regarding spiritual alertness applies to all disciples of Christ, based on their respective understanding of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and the divine will. Those with lesser knowledge will be held to a lesser standard, whereas the Apostles, if they were not fully prepared and vigilant, will face stricter scrutiny.
The reference to “Who is faithful and wise” can be explored further in Matthew 24:45-51. The term "housekeeper" denotes a steward of the estate, acting as a mediator between the master and the servants and tasked with ensuring the well-being of the latter. This role was highly significant within the household and typically assigned to the most trusted individuals, much like Eliezer in Abraham's household, where unwavering loyalty to the master was essential.
The one who comprehended his master's will yet failed to act, whether due to negligence or other reasons, will suffer harsher consequences than one who is unaware. While ignorance may provide some excuse, it does not entirely absolve responsibility, as the uninformed could have sought knowledge if they had exercised due diligence, as illustrated in the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 28 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS