Luke 16:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Last night, which was a celebration of sin, you transformed it into a feast of the spirit by embracing my words with eagerness and spending a significant portion of the day here, partaking in a drink enriched with divine understanding and sharing joy with Paul. In doing so, you have received blessings in two ways: you have been diverted from the chaotic revelry of inebriated men and immersed in spiritual ecstasy carried out with great reverence. You sipped from a cup that did not contain wine but overflowed with spiritual teaching, becoming a vessel filled with the Holy Spirit. While others celebrated in the name of the adversary, you, by becoming spiritual instruments during your time here, allowed the Spirit to reach your souls and infuse His grace into your hearts. Consequently, you raised a song of harmony that pleases not only humanity but also the heavenly powers.

Therefore, today let us prepare our tongues against drunkenness and rebel against debauchery. Let us call out to those who indulge, not to bring them shame but to liberate them from it; not to condemn but to correct; not to humiliate, but to rescue them from disgrace and snatch them from the clutches of the devil. For anyone who engages in drunkenness and debauchery has succumbed to the merciless grip of evil itself. If only some good had come from my words! However, if they remain stuck in their ways after my exhortation, I will not cease to offer them guidance. Just as springs flow, even if they are not drawn from, and rivers run, regardless of whether anyone drinks, so too must the preacher, even if ignored, continue to strive after righteousness. For you who have embraced the ministry of the Word have been given a mandate by a God who loves humanity: never abandon your work or remain silent, whether they heed us or turn away.

When Jeremiah, who pronounced dire warnings to the Israelites and foretold calamity—consequently facing ridicule and scorn—felt the urge to cease his prophecies due to human frailty, he expressed it thus: “I thought, I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name; but His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I was weary with holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20:9). His meaning was this: he wished to stop prophesying due to their refusal to listen, yet, as soon as he contemplated silence, the Spirit's power ignited his soul like fire, consuming his very being. If he, who suffered derision daily, experienced such anguish at the thought of silence, how could we expect forgiveness if we, having not faced such torment, allow negligence to lead us into cowardice and cease to impart teaching, especially when so many are willing to listen?

But I do not point this out for my own comfort or encouragement. I have convinced my soul that as long as I draw breath and it pleases God for me to continue in this life, I must fulfill this ministry and obey His commands, regardless of whether anyone listens or not. Yet there are those who sap the strength of many, offering nothing of value to our lives while discouraging the zeal of others, deriding and saying: “Do not counsel, do not exhort; they have no interest in hearing you; avoid them.” Since some share such sentiments, I feel compelled to speak more on this matter, aiming to expel from the hearts of the people this cruel and dehumanizing thought that echoes the enemy's whispers.

Yesterday, I heard many mockingly observe those who gathered at the tavern, saying: “Look, they are so convinced; they did not go to the tavern at all; everyone has sobered up!” What do you say, my friend? Do I promise to gather them all in a single day? If just ten were convinced, or even five, or even one—would this not suffice for my consolation? I will go further. Suppose none were swayed by my words, though it seems impossible for a word shared amid so many to bear no fruit. Even in such a case, my utterance is not wasted. Should they enter the tavern, they won’t do so brazenly; at the table, they will recall my words—the rebuke, the reproof—and in that remembrance, they will feel shame, hesitate, and will refrain from their usual conduct. To feel this shame deeply, to truly judge one’s actions, is the beginning of salvation and transformation.

Additionally, there is another benefit to my labor. What is it? It is that I may have encouraged the sober-minded to remain steadfast, reassuring them that those who do not succumb to the crowd are the ones who act rightly. Have I not healed the sick? I have made the healthy more vigilant. Has my word not deterred some from vice? It has made those who live righteously more diligent. I can add a third point: while I may not have convinced today, perhaps tomorrow I will succeed. And if I do not tomorrow, perhaps the day after. The one who today hears but rejects may listen and accept on the morrow; and he who neglects today and tomorrow may pay attention days hence. Much like a fisherman, who after casting his net in vain all day, decides to leave, only to catch fish that had eluded him all day. If we were to decide to remain idle due to continuous failures, we would despair throughout life, causing both spiritual and earthly endeavors to wither.

Therefore, if a farmer, discouraged by one, two, or several unfavorable seasons, were to abandon his field, we would soon face starvation. And if a sailor, disheartened by stormy seas happened once, twice, or thrice, chose to forsake the ocean, none would sail, and we would lose much of our livelihood. In every craft, if one judged and acted in the same manner, all would perish and the earth would lie barren. Understanding this, every hardworking person, even if they experience setbacks, perseveres with renewed zeal.

Beloved, recognizing this, I urge you; do not harbor such thoughts; do not claim, “What need is there for so many words? These words are fruitless.” The farmer, having sown the same field multiple times without yield, continues to cultivate it, often recovering in a single year the losses of many seasons. A merchant, facing numerous shipwrecks, does not abandon the harbor, but rather puts his trust in building ships, borrows funds, and engages in the same ventures, despite an uncertain future. In everything, people usually emulate the farmer and the merchant. If they show such tenacity for worldly matters, even when the outcomes remain unknown, shall we cease speaking simply because our words seem unheeded?

What excuse can we offer for such cowardice? Moreover, in cases of failure, no one compensates those who suffer losses; if the ocean swallows a vessel, the shipwrecked receive no aid; if a flood destroys a field, the farmer returns empty-handed. But it is different for those who preach and counsel. Should you scatter seed and the listener fails to receive it and bear the fruits of obedience, you still receive a reward from God for your counsel. Your efforts and genuine advice carry the same merit as if they had obeyed; for you have fulfilled your duty. Our role is to advise, not to compel belief; it is upon them to be convinced. Just as they receive rewards for good deeds done without our urging, should they disobey, all retribution falls upon them—while we stand blameless, gaining great reward from God for fulfilling our responsibilities.

We are instructed to “give silver to those who trade” (Matt. 25:27), to speak and advise. Therefore, speak and exhort your brother. But what if he does not comply? You will still be rewarded, if only you remain steadfast and diligent until you persuade and encourage him. The end goal of counseling is that the recipient obeys the exhortation. The enemy continuously opposes our salvation, incurring no benefit while incurring his own greatest harm; yet, he is consumed by such frenzy that he often dares to engage in impossible acts, targeting not only those he hopes to deceive but also those who he fears might overcome his schemes. When he learned that Job praised God, who reveals all hidden truths, he hoped to topple him, resorting to every trick to conquer this righteous man, never losing hope, despite God’s acknowledgment of Job’s virtue.

Consider this: how can we not feel ashamed or deterred when the enemy, never losing hope for our destruction, eagerly awaits the demise of our brethren's salvation? He had ample reason, without prior knowledge of the outcome, to abandon the fight—given God’s testimony of the righteous character of Job—but he pressed on with his fierce animosity against us. His relentless pursuit does not drive us to despair; shall we allow ourselves to falter in our efforts to uplift the fallen? Having heard God declare, “A blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8), the devil did not back down, but instead, fueled by rage and resistance, aimed to corrupt that valiant soul.

What an indictment it is when, despite the enemy’s fervor, we fail to demonstrate just a sliver of that same intensity in seeking the salvation of our neighbors, knowing that God stands by us! So, when you observe a brother acting violently, disobediently, or inattentively, remind yourself, "Are we not capable of persuading him in time?" This is precisely what Paul commanded: “And the servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

Witness how fathers, even when despairing of their children, choose to sit with them, weep, grieve, embrace them, and do everything in their power until their final breath. Do the same for your brother. While they, through tears and heartache, cannot ward off disease or divert death’s approach, you often can, through patience and perseverance, reach out and revive a despairing soul. Have you provided counsel but not swayed him? Then weep, approach him frequently, mourn passionately, so that he may feel the weight of your concern and turn toward salvation.

What can I accomplish alone in this endeavor? I cannot be with all of you every day; I lack the strength to engage with each of you individually. However, if you each take part in the salvation of one another, the work of edification will advance quickly. I need not speak of those who have been corrected after thorough exhortation. Even those suffering from conditions deemed hopeless should not be abandoned, even should we foresee fruitlessness in our labor of love and admonition.

If this idea seems strange, let us contemplate the actions of Christ. We humans are blind to the future and cannot say with certainty whether our hearers will be convinced; yet, Christ, aware of all things, persisted in correcting those who might disobey Him until the end. Knowing that Judas would not forsake his betrayal, Jesus still sought to dissuade him with counsel, encouragement, warnings, and various admonitions, consistently restraining him with words as one holds a bridle. By doing so, He teaches us that even knowing our brethren may not comply, we must do everything within our power, for we will be rewarded for our efforts.

Observe how He continually warned Judas with expressions of foreboding: “One of you will betray Me” (Matt. 26:21); “I speak not concerning all of you; I know whom I have chosen” (John 13:18); “One of you is a devil” (John 6:70). His intent was to instill a sense of trepidation in everyone, sparing Judas from shame, lest explicit condemnation embolden his treachery. It caused distress among the other disciples, despite their innocence, prompting each to ask, "Is it I, Lord?" (Matt. 26:22).

In addition to verbal warnings, Christ corrected Judas through His actions. He frequently demonstrated His humanity by healing lepers, casting out demons, mending the sick, raising the dead, and bringing comfort without exacting punishment. He proclaimed, “I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12:47). Yet, to prevent Judas from thinking Him incapable of discipline or avenging sin, the Lord made His authoritative power clear, exemplifying His capacity to both bless and chastise.

This narrative complements the previous discussion. After the Lord imparted wisdom on the appropriate handling of wealth, He fittingly presents this parable, illustrating the same principle through the example of the affluent man. It is essential to recognize that this account is a parable rather than a historical occurrence, as some unjustly believe. The appointed time for the righteous to receive their rewards, and for the wicked to face their consequences, has not yet arrived. The Lord framed this story with a symbolic nature so that those devoid of mercy might be alerted to the future awaiting them, while the disheartened could find encouragement in their trials.

While Solomon was in prayer for his realm, he addressed God with the request, "Give me wisdom, at least that which abideth at Thy throne." God was pleased with his genuine longing for such gifts, as nothing holds greater value for humanity than divine blessings; among these, the most commendable, which perfects those deemed worthy, is the wisdom granted by God. This wisdom serves as the illumination of the soul and the awareness of all good and beneficial things. It is incumbent upon us to honor these gifts so that, having proved ourselves worthy, we may align ourselves with the Savior's teachings rightly and without error. Such wisdom aids us in spiritual maturity and guides us toward a life of virtue and integrity.

The Lord likened the priests of the people to a wealthy individual adorned in purple, one whose nobility was without equal.

A certain wealthy individual adorned himself in fine purple garments. This marks the initiation of the interpretation of the parable concerning the rich man and Lazarus (cf. Lk. 16.19-31). This parable is more akin to a story, particularly given that one of the characters is named. I. N. Marshall draws a parallel to an ancient Egyptian folk tale about a journey to the realm of the dead.

A certain wealthy man existed, and after having taught extensively about the compassion towards the needy, He now conveys a grave lesson through a parable, cautioning the indifferent and the miserly about future consequences as if they have already transpired. For those who have departed from this world have not yet received their due recompense, nor has there been a definitive judgment. He vividly illustrates both the suffering that awaits those devoid of mercy upon their passing and the comfort that the impoverished who endure trials will attain. Furthermore, this parable imparts additional insights. This man was clothed in luxurious purple and fine linen, adorning himself with the most opulent and vibrant attire. Each day, he indulged in extravagant feasts without holding back on expenses.

One man lived in great wealth, adorning himself in luxurious purple and fine linen. In just a couple of phrases, Scripture critiques and mocks the careless extravagance of the wicked rich. The hue of purple is exceedingly precious and entirely unnecessary, as is the wearing of fine linen. Yet, it is commendable and noble for those who desire a life of comfort and significance to judiciously evaluate the need for such items and steer clear of the dust of vanity and wastefulness that leads to moral decay. To grasp the depth of this teaching, we must first scrutinize the intended purpose of clothing—how much and what kind should be permissible, constrained by wise reasoning and guiding principles. What does divine righteousness dictate?

According to the teachings of Sacred Scripture, dear brethren, it is essential to initially safeguard the historical accuracy before delving into the spiritual significance of the allegorical narrative. The richness of meaning is best harvested when the allegory is firmly rooted in the historical truth. Yet, it is important to recognize that at times faith can be nurtured by allegory, while history serves to guide moral behavior.

In ancient times, garments were adorned with dye extracted from shells, referred to as porphyry due to their vivid scarlet hue; Indian linen was known as visson. Back then, such attire was held in high esteem. This affluent individual, representing every wealthy person who is indulgent and unyielding, donned garments of scarlet and linen. Each day, he celebrated joyfully, enveloped in lavishness, reveling in an abundance of diverse foods and drinks. His life was filled with music, singing, dancing, games, and similar entertainments. To this day, we witness this in the homes of the indulgent and superficial wealthy, who prioritize worldly pleasures and cater to the desires of the flesh.

The story of the affluent man and the beggar Lazarus tells of a wealthy individual who enjoyed a life of extravagance, adorned in luxury garments of purple and fine linen. He indulged in lavish feasts every day, remaining oblivious to the presence of Lazarus at his doorstep—a poor man covered in sores and suffering. Continuously in need, Lazarus longed for even the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table, which were tossed aside for the dogs, yet he was denied this small comfort. No one showed compassion for his condition; his wounds went untreated, while the dogs came to lick them, hindering their healing.

The Pharisees had devoted themselves to two opposing authorities, believing their own righteousness had earned them the highest and most esteemed positions in the kingdom of heaven. To expose their unfortunate misconception, the Savior shared the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). Through this account, He unveiled a sobering reality to the astonished Pharisees: God's judgment differs significantly from that of worldly scholars and legal experts. The one who thrived on the worldly riches faced excruciating but just tribulations in the afterlife due to his lack of compassion, while the wretched Lazarus, whom he neglected and allowed his dogs to lick his sores, was welcomed into the comforting embrace of Abraham.

The narrative of the wealthy man and the beggar closely relates to the earlier story of the dishonest manager. The primary message of the preceding parable is that prudent stewardship of riches can lead to everlasting dwellings in paradise, a notion clearly articulated in verse 9. Conversely, the misuse of wealth results in the loss of these eternal rewards and a fate in torment—this serves as the central theme in the account of the rich man and Lazarus. The text notes that the rich man was “clothed in porphyra and fine linen,” where porphyra represents a luxurious purple garment from Syria, while fine linen denotes the delicate, white fabric from Egypt, which was used for his undergarments. These details illustrate the rich man's extravagant attire. Furthermore, the phrase “feasted every day” indicates that his indulgences were not occasional but a daily occurrence. He lived extravagantly, surrounded by comfort and wealth.