Luke 17:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The kingdom is not obtained through our good deeds; rather, like the nature of inheritance, it hinges upon grace. Hence, nobody can truly claim to deserve such a life worthy of the kingdom—all is a gift from God. As the Evangelist reminds us: “When you have fulfilled all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are servants worthless, because we have done what we had to do.’”

The hope of salvation resides in the practice of virtue and not in boasting about our titles or our connections with the holy; it is through the righteousness of our deeds that we achieve worthiness. More accurately, we should refrain from exalting ourselves, particularly when we have amassed considerable virtues. By doing so, we ensure the preservation of the richness we have gathered and cultivate the favor of God. Thus, Christ taught His disciples, “When ye have done all that ye are commanded, say, We are servants worthless.” In this way, He fosters humility within them, guiding them to avoid self-exaltation from good works and to recognize that the highest virtue is for the virtuous to maintain humility.

Be then the servant in the field ploughing, or feeding, that is, in this life either following his worldly business, or serving foolish men, as it were cattle, he must after his labours return home, that is, be united to the Church.

Consequently, we ought not to hold ourselves in high esteem, as the Apostle Paul wisely understood when he stated, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for it is my necessary (duty), and woe to me if I do not preach it!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Nevertheless, in His goodness, God regards His servants as if they were hired laborers, rewarding them for their endeavors, recognizing faithful service as successful, and granting rewards that far exceed their toil. His benevolence transcends mere justice.

Instead, they should humbly acknowledge their position, stating: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what we ought to have done,” akin to a servant who, despite their diligent efforts throughout the day, does not anticipate exceptional praise or rewards from their master upon returning from work, as they have merely fulfilled their duty.

Yet, in reality, our acts of kindness, assisting our neighbors in their struggles, and alleviating their hardships merely fulfill God's command to love and do good to one another. If we are indeed servants acting on the wishes of our Lord, fulfilling our responsibilities, we should not expect gratitude from those we help, nor accolades from others. Frequently, it is the ingratitude of those we assist that serves as a reminder to us, especially when we act not from genuine love for others but from a desire for glory, forgetting Christ's directive to do good discreetly. Therefore, if your kindness is met with ingratitude, do not be disheartened. Reflect on the words of Christ and humbly acknowledge, “I am an unworthy servant; I have only done my duty.” Those who live apart from Christian love, who fail to recognize the command to love even their enemies, may neglect to express appreciation or reciprocate kindness. There are instances where individuals who have benefited from the generosity of others feel ashamed to acknowledge it, not only failing to show gratitude but even responding with hostility, repaying good with evil. Such individuals are under the influence of darkness, rebelling against goodness.

In concluding this dialogue of Jesus with His disciples, we must focus on His statement: “The Son of Man... came... to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The Greek term "lutron," translated in Russian as atonement, signifies ransom—referring to the payment made in ancient times to liberate captives taken in battle; without payment, captives remained slaves, severed from their homeland. Jesus describes His mission to save humanity as a ransom because all people are ensnared by sin, held captive, threatened by judgment and eternal suffering. Through His teachings, the example of His life, His suffering, and His death, Christ provides a path to liberation, offering ransom to those who wish to be freed. But why is it said that the ransom is for many and not all? It is because liberation is granted only to those who seek it—those who strive to fulfill Christ's commands. Many desire salvation and seek to align with God's will, but not everyone; hence, it is stated—for the redemption of many, not all.

Additionally, some scholars assert that the parable of the unworthy servants follows the Apostles’ request for increased faith based on the sequence presented by Luke. However, since the Evangelist Luke does not relate all events and teachings of Jesus in a strict chronological order, and since the parable of the unworthy servants is more closely tied to Jesus’ response to the request of the sons of Zebedee, I have placed it here after Mark 10:45.

In response, the Lord directed them to the immense power of faith, which, even in its nascent form, could accomplish extraordinary things: if you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you could command this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would obey you. The Saviour previously shared this with His disciples (Matt. 17:20), and later reiterated it (21:21). By likening the Kingdom of Heaven and faith to a mustard seed (13:31-32), He encouraged them to nurture the persistent growth and strengthening of the faith sown in their souls. The crucial lesson for the disciples was to cultivate faith within themselves, allowing it to gradually envelop their entire being. However, the Lord also cautioned them against pride in the fruits of their faith or self-aggrandizement through good works. He taught them humility using a relatable example: ‘Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he comes in from the field, “Come at once and sit down to eat?” Will he not rather say to him, “Prepare something for my supper, gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink?” Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 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.”’ Although, as noted by Monk Neil of Sinai, this awareness of fulfilling obligation does not prevent joy in having met the debt, it does not allow for self-exaltation. The Lord emphasizes that duty is owed, not a mere gift, and it is unbecoming for one who has completed what is owed to Christ to boast as if they were a benefactor, elevating their contributions with expectations of gratitude that would otherwise require resentment.

What does the scenario of the slave returning from the fields teach us? It illustrates that, despite our labors and commitments, we must always remain engaged in the service of God. Why does the parable imply that a master seldom expresses gratitude to his servant? This is because the servant is merely fulfilling his duty, which does not warrant special recognition or thanks. Even after fulfilling all our obligations, why might we still consider ourselves unworthy servants? Because we have only completed what was required of us, and our good works are inherently flawed.

Why are our righteous actions imperfect? Often, we perform good deeds not out of genuine willingness, but rather to evade punishment, akin to slothful and unworthy servants; these actions do not stem from pure love for God. Additionally, we do not undertake them solely on our own, but rely on God's grace. The Lord desires that our actions reflect the majesty of God. Why is there a higher expectation of the Christian? Because he has received numerous gifts at creation and redemption, as well as many blessings prepared for him in the life to come. Thus, none of us should ever excuse ourselves from serving God, nor should we think that we have done enough after completing any good deed.

Regardless of other responsibilities, I must prioritize my duties to God. If I feel fatigued from worldly tasks, I should not neglect my church duties on that basis. After praying within the community of believers, I should not abandon my personal prayers once I return home.

Texts that relate to the parable of the servant returning from the fields include: “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! Let no one stumble in anything, that his service may be blameless; but in all things, let him present himself as God's servant, in patience, in tribulation, in distress, in hardship” (2 Cor. 6:2-10). “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him” (John 12:26). “For if I preach the gospel, there is no glory for me; for necessity is laid upon me; woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship” (1 Cor. 9:16-17). “But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain; I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:9-10). “But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).