Luke 6:46Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He inquires, ‘But why do you call Me Lord, but do not do what I say?’ If He lacks genuine authority or the glory of sovereignty, and if His power is conferred externally as a privilege, then we need not follow His commands, deny His service, or submit to His authority. However, if He is indeed the true Lord, under whose rule creation bends and lays at the feet of its Sovereign, we must fulfill our obligations: accept His yoke and unreservedly offer Him our obedience. Otherwise, we risk facing the rebuke echoed by one of the holy prophets: ‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master; but if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear?’ says the Lord Almighty. Let us observe how we experience the repercussions of disobedience in our own lives. We often demand compliance from our household servants, often mingled with sorrow, and when they seek rebellion and reject the yoke of servitude, we compel them to return to humility through bonds, torments, and punishments. If we, who are merely human and share a common lineage with those under the yoke, cannot tolerate their rebellion, how shall almighty God—who is worshipped by principalities, thrones, and celestial beings, attended by the exalted seraphim who fulfill His will—respond? The divine David speaks of them in the Psalms: ‘Bless the Lord, all ye his angels, who hearken to the voice of his words. Bless the Lord, all his hosts: his ministers, who do all things according to his good pleasure.’ Therefore, it is perilous and deserving of ultimate condemnation not to obey Christ the Almighty; yet those who cherish His service will receive the highest blessings. The Lord prophesied through one of His holy messengers to those who flee from His yoke and refuse to yield to His authority: ‘Behold, those who serve Me shall eat, and you shall suffer hunger; behold, those who serve Me shall drink, and you shall thirst; behold, those who serve Me shall rejoice, and you shall mourn; behold, those who obey Me shall rejoice with joy, and you shall weep with grief of heart, and weep with lamentation of spirit.’ Clearly, the reward for those who embrace the burden of service is beautiful, valuable, and worthy of pursuit, while grave condemnation awaits those who do not. Furthermore, we see that the true servant is celebrated with the highest honor, while the disobedient and neglectful are cast out with shame, or rather banished to outer darkness. Those who were given talents and increased them were greeted with praise from their master, who said to each, ‘Good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful in little things; I will set thee over much; enter into the joy of thy master.’ But to him who buried the talent and did not labor out of love for service, he suffered dire and unavoidable punishment. Another parable presents, ‘Who is that faithful and wise servant whom his master shall set over his household to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find doing so. Verily I say unto you, that he shall set him over all that he hath.’ Thus, those who fulfill our Saviour's will are exalted, worthy of emulation, and commended for their faithfulness; indeed, a new name shall be given to them as the Lord declared, ‘Upon them that serve me a new name shall be called, even that which is blessed in the earth.’ Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that if we are inclined to heed our Saviour's words and serve Him, we will be granted the honor of freedom in accordance with His decree. For He promised to those who believe in Him, ‘If ye abide in My Word, ye are truly My disciples, and shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ Thus, through obedience, which can be seen as a form of servitude to Him, we attain the glory of freedom. This grants us the status of sons and heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, as He confirms by stating, ‘whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin, and the servant abideth not in the house for ever.’ Thus, if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed. A willingness to serve opens the door to freedom and honor, distinguishing sons, while disobedience relegates us to a lowly and disgraceful servitude, affirming that ‘whosoever committeth sin is the slave of sin.’ Someone might contend that while servitude to Christ is commendable, it is by no means simple, as various obstacles often deplete our enthusiasm. Indeed, such is the case; for Satan stands opposed to all that is good, and the flesh, in pursuit of pleasures, battles against the Spirit, ‘for they oppose one another,’ as Paul wisely indicated. Likewise, the law of sin entrenched within our members presents vehement and bitter resistance. Paul, learned in the law, speaks of these struggles significantly, noting, ‘For I rejoice in the law of God in the inner man; but I see another law opposing the law of the mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.’ Furthermore, ‘Therefore with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin.’ Additionally, there exists a potent inclination within mankind’s heart that diverts the will towards worldly desires, generates worldly longings, and detracts from the aspiration to strive for virtue. Should we then abandon service because of this? Can He command us to achieve what is impossible and impracticable? Does He demand anything beyond what is natural for us? Surely, no one would assert such a claim. He unquestionably tailors His commands to our capabilities. Therefore, when you voice concerns regarding the difficulties of obedience, I respond: Do remarkable things occur without effort? Do those who seek such accomplishments achieve them without hard work? Or rather, do they attain them through diligence and effort? Which athletes in the games earn the victor's crown? Are they those who commit fully to the discipline of competition, enduring hardships, as St. Paul articulated, ‘they endure all things,’ or rather, are they the idle and luxurious who have no understanding of what athletes must embrace? Which farmers reap abundant harvests in the fields? Are they those who neglect sowing and forgo the necessary labor of cultivation, or rather those who are industrious and committed to securing a fruitful yield? The answer is evident, even if unspoken: it is those who are willing to toil—not those who prefer leisure—who attain a joyful and peaceful life. The Psalmist further illustrates this in his proclamation, ‘They went away, and that with tears, bearing their seeds; but they shall surely come with joy, bearing their sheaves.’ Hence, joy is indeed the fruit of labor. Furthermore, the Lord Himself encourages us in our noble endeavors, declaring, ‘Enter in by the narrow gate, for narrow is the gate, and straight is the way, that leadeth unto life: but wide and spacious is the gate, that leadeth them that run therein unto destruction.’ Observe that the end of this narrow path leads to life, while the easy and broad way leads the unwary towards destruction and eternal torment.

Take a moment to reflect on the Lord and yourself: examine who the Lord is and who you are; contemplate what He has accomplished and continues to do for you, understand your purpose for living, and what you aspire to achieve. You will soon arrive at the realization that there is no other path than to diligently pursue the Lord's will; there simply is no alternate course. This realization will spark a willingness to translate the spoken acknowledgment of “Lord” into genuine actions. With this willingness arises a heartfelt need for divine assistance, leading to the prayer: “Lord, Lord, assist me and grant me the strength to walk in accordance with Your will.” Such a plea will indeed be a cry to the Lord that is pleasing to Him.

These guidelines were not limited to a specific time or particular individuals but were intended to serve as a standard and direction for all believers, anchored in the timeless truths of Divine holiness and the innate moral principles imbued by the Creator within human nature.

The chosen ones had not previously undertaken any formal education, with some, like Andrew and John, being associated with John the Baptist for a while. The Lord selected those who demonstrated genuine love and devotion to Him, trusting like children and free from the allure of false wisdom. He personally guided their education, teaching them both through His words and His actions, whether alone or in public, in homes or on the road, on land or at sea. What others found obscure, He clarified for them. They served as continuous witnesses to His life and miracles, and He progressively dismantled their prejudices rooted in Jewish teachings. While He did not eliminate all their misconceptions, He turned their mistakes into lessons for growth. He allowed them to engage in discussions on matters within their understanding, all the while aware of not only their exchanges but also the hidden thoughts of humanity. He attuned their hearts and aligned them with their responsibilities. In essence, He purified and illuminated their minds and souls, preparing them for the complete outpouring of the Spirit of truth and sanctification. Initially, they were His disciples, but as His mission drew to a close, He referred to them as His friends (Jn. 15:14-15), having revealed all to them, and ultimately, as brothers.

In Luke, the final segment commences with statements in verse 39, which differ in context from Matthew's account. Matthew frames his verses differently, emphasizing a distinct application. Taken together with the surrounding passages, the essence can be interpreted as follows: you, my dearest disciples, are called to be lights and instructors for the world, imparting the teachings you are currently receiving from me. However, to effectively cultivate this calling and illuminate others with the Gospel truth, you must first overcome your own spiritual blindness, for how can the blind guide the blind? Such misguided leaders reflect the former Pharisees you once followed. You are not to mimic them or engage in their harmful ways. Since a disciple is not greater than his teacher, you will not be able to bring enlightenment to others unless you yourself have first been illuminated by the truth and goodness of Christ. Therefore, it is essential to address your own flaws before criticizing others; do not be like your esteemed teachers who notice a speck in another's eye while ignoring the beam in their own. Bear good fruit and do not merely profess to be my followers through words alone. Those who heed my teachings resemble a wise person who constructs a house upon a solid foundation, ensuring it withstands any harm.

Miraculous acts alone do not guarantee salvation if they are not accompanied by righteous deeds that serve as a testament to authentic and living faith. Many will approach Me on that day—the day of ultimate judgment—saying, ‘Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many wonders?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ Both the Old and New Testaments provide instances where even those deemed unworthy received divine gifts of grace. As noted by Saint John Chrysostom, ‘God also worked through Balaam, revealed the future to Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, and Caiaphas prophesied without understanding the meaning of his words. Additionally, some cast out demons in Christ’s name, though they themselves were not truly His followers.’ Even Judas performed miracles, cast out demons, and raised the dead, yet he forfeited his place in the kingdom of heaven. This illustrates that signs devoid of righteous conduct and a pure life cannot lead to salvation, whereas a virtuous life, even one that lacks miraculous affirmations, can confidently lead believers into the Kingdom of Heaven.