Luke 17:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us not act for His acknowledgment of our service, but rather fulfill our responsibilities. Truly, every good deed is a matter of duty, and all that we accomplish is a fulfillment of obligation. If we, having acquired servants through purchase, expect them to live entirely for us, is it not even more due to Him who called us from nothingness into being and then redeemed us with His precious blood? He paid a price for us that no person would consider paying even for his own child—He shed His blood. Therefore, even if we each possessed a thousand souls and offered them all, would we provide a fitting return for Him? No, and the reason is that He acted for us out of His free grace, not out of obligation, while we are bound to respond. He, though Divine, took the form of a servant; unbound by death, He took on our mortal suffering. If we do not willingly lay down our lives for Him, then by the natural law we will inevitably part with our lives before long. In a similar vein, if we do not willingly give our resources for Him, we will be compelled to give them upon our death. Likewise, if we do not embrace humility for His sake, trials, tribulations, and sufferings will enforce humility upon us. Do you not see how immense His gratitude is? He did not ask, ‘What remarkable thing did the martyrs do? Had they not died for Me, they would have died regardless; yet He rewards them greatly for voluntarily offering what they would have eventually been obliged to give, according to the natural order. He did not question the worth of those who relinquish their possessions, knowing they would willingly do so; still, He generously thanks them and openly acknowledges that He was nourished by their service. Indeed, the glory of the Lord is found in having grateful servants, and He honors His servants with profound love, willingly claiming what belongs to them while not hesitating to proclaim it before all. Let us reflect on such remarkable love from Christ and respond with our own fervent love. When someone, no matter how humble or poor, professes love for us, it ignites a special affection within us, prompting us to extend them tremendous respect and love in return. Yet, our Lord loves us exceedingly, and we remain indifferent? I urge you, let us not neglect our own salvation, but strive to love Him as best as we can, offering everything to Him joyfully, willingly, and diligently—not merely for His benefit, but for our own. This is the essence of love: those who love find joy in suffering for the ones they cherish. Let us commit ourselves with the same fervor to our Lord, that we may also gain future rewards in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory now and always, and unto the ages. Amen.

To steer us away from these harmful thoughts, the Lord presents the core teachings we have just heard, illustrating that authority requires its servants to fulfill their duties with obedience. The master, He indicates, does not feel indebted to a servant even if that servant has faithfully fulfilled all expectations befitting their role.

Consider yourself as a servant bound to various duties! Do not elevate yourself simply because you are known as a child of God: while you should recognize the grace bestowed upon you, do not lose sight of your true nature. Do not take pride in performing well, as it is your duty (Cf. Luke 17:10). The sun obeys, the moon serves, and the angels fulfill their roles. The apostle chosen by the Lord for the Gentiles (Acts 9:15) proclaimed, "I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God" (1 Cor. 15:9). In another context, he mentioned that despite having no faults attributed to him, he added, "But I am not thereby justified" (1 Cor. 4:4). Therefore, we ought not to boast about ourselves, nor should we presume upon God's judgment or preempt the decisions of the Judge; rather, we should await the appropriate time for the ultimate tribunal.

The Gospel addresses the issue of ingratitude (Luke 17:11-19, the healing of the ten lepers) and ultimately transitions into the discussion regarding future judgment.

Nevertheless, in His goodness, God treats His servants as though they were hired laborers, rewarding them for their efforts, recognizing their faithful service as a success, and granting them rewards that far exceed their toil. His abundant mercy surpasses the demands of strict justice.

Instead, they should humbly acknowledge their position by stating: "We are unworthy servants; we have merely fulfilled our obligations." This is akin to a servant who, despite a full day's labor in the fields, does not expect special commendation or rewards from their master, having only done what was required of them.

How frequently do we, after performing a good deed for others, feel the urge to boast or seek recognition for our acts of kindness and anticipate a special expression of thanks from those we have aided? Yet, in doing acts of kindness, assisting those in need, or alleviating their burdens, we are merely adhering to God's command to love our neighbors and do good to them. If in those instances we are simply servants fulfilling our Lord's will, we should not expect gratitude from those we have served or accolades from others.

Moreover, how often does gratitude remain unacknowledged as a consequence for those who acted not out of genuine love for others, but from a desire for self-aggrandizement, forgetting Christ's instruction to perform good works in secrecy? Therefore, if your good deeds are met with ingratitude, do not let that disturb your spirit. Recall the words of Jesus Christ and humbly declare, “I am an unworthy servant, for I did what I was required to do.” Only those lacking in Christian love, who have forgotten or ignore that even our adversaries are deserving of love, can take without acknowledging the favor, or fail to express gratitude.

There are also instances where those who have benefited, having been freed from adversity through their benefactors' grace, may feel embarrassed to acknowledge it, showing no appreciation, and even responding with hostility, repaying good with evil. Such individuals have fallen into the shadows of evil, rebelling against goodness.

In concluding this dialogue of Jesus with His disciples, we should reflect on His words: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The Greek term “lutron,” which translates as ransom, refers to the payment made in ancient times for those taken captive during war; paying this ransom allowed them to be freed, while those who remained unpaid stayed enslaved and were considered lost to their homeland. Jesus identifies His mission of saving humanity as a ransom, recognizing that every person, as a sinner, is held captive by sin, facing judgment and endless suffering. Through His teachings, His example of life, suffering, and death, He revealed the path to liberation, redeeming those who seek freedom from bondage.

But why is this salvation offered only to many and not to all? Because the ransom extends only to those who desire it, that is, to those who act in accordance with Christ's commands. Many indeed wish for this release and pursue God’s will, but it is not true of all; hence, it is stated for the redemption of many rather than all. Additionally, some interpreters place the parable of the unworthy servants following the Apostles' request for an increase in their faith, presumably guided by Luke’s presentation of these events. However, since Luke did not arrange all events in a strict chronological pattern, and since the parable closely relates to Jesus' response regarding the request from the sons of Zebedee, I find it appropriate to include it here.

In response, the Lord directed their attention to the transformative power of faith, illustrating that even the smallest seed of faith within the human spirit could yield remarkable outcomes: “if you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would have said to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would have moved, and nothing would be impossible for you.” The Savior had previously reminded His disciples of this (Matt. 17:20) and did so again later (21:21). By likening the Kingdom of Heaven and faith to a mustard seed (13:31-32), He aimed to cultivate an understanding of faith's potential for continual growth and deepening within the human soul.

The essential task for the disciples was to nurture this faith within themselves, allowing it to gradually envelop their entire being. However, the Lord cautioned them against pride in their accomplishments through faith and self-aggrandizement derived from their good deeds. He taught them humility using a familiar scenario: “Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and 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, fulfilling one’s obligations brings rejoicing, it does not grant license for self-exaltation. A completed debt is not a gift freely given, and it is inappropriate for those who have repaid what is owed to the Lord to boast of their generosity, especially when their gratitude requires no payment.

What lesson can we glean from the example of the servant who, after working in the fields, continues to serve his master rather than taking a break to feed himself? It teaches us that despite our labors and responsibilities, we must remain devoted to serving God. Why does the parable indicate that a master is unlikely to thank his servant for his work? This is because the servant is merely fulfilling his obligations, which do not require any special acknowledgment or gratitude. Why, despite doing everything that has been commanded, should we still consider ourselves unworthy servants? This is because we have only done what was expected and our good works are, in fact, quite imperfect.

Why are our good deeds imperfect? This is due to our tendency to perform actions not out of genuine desire but often to evade punishment, acting as lethargic and unworthy servants, rather than from pure love for God. Furthermore, we do not accomplish these deeds alone; we rely on God's grace. Consequently, the Lord expects our efforts to reflect His greatness. What accounts for the high expectations placed upon Christians? It is because they have received many gifts at both their creation and redemption, and there are further blessings prepared for them in the life to come.

Therefore, none of us should ever refuse to serve God under any circumstances. Nor should we assume we have satisfied God's requirements after completing one or more good works. Even if I have work I need to accomplish, I must prioritize my responsibilities towards God before attending to it. If I feel weary from worldly tasks, I should not use that as an excuse to neglect my church duties. Having prayed in the temple, I should not abandon my regular personal prayers upon returning home.

Concerning the parable of the servant returning from the field:

1. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation! Let no one cause another to stumble, that their service may be blameless; but in all things let them present themselves as God’s servants, in enduring patience, in tribulations, in hardships, in distress. 2 Cor. 6:2-10.

2. Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many; enter into the joy of your Lord. Matthew 25:21.

3. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant be; if anyone serves Me, My Father will honor him. Jn. 12:26.

4. But if I preach the gospel, there is no reward for me; for it is my duty; woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel. Yet if I do it willingly, I will receive a reward; if unwillingly, my service is of no value. 1 Cor. 9:16-17.

5. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace in me was not in vain; rather, I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Cor. 15:9-10.

6. 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.