7 'But, who is he of you—having a servant ploughing or feeding—who, to him having come in out of the field, will say, Having come near, recline at meat? 8 but will not 'rather' say to him, Prepare what I may sup, and having girded thyself about, minister to me, till I eat and drink, and after these things thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Hath he favour to that servant because he did the things directed? I think not. 10 'So also ye, when ye may have done all the things directed you, say—We are unprofitable servants, because that which we owed to do—we have done.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 17:7-10
Commentary on Luke 17:1-10
(Read Luke 17:1-10)
It is no abatement of their guilt by whom an offence comes, nor will it lessen their punishment that offences will come. Faith in God's pardoning mercy, will enable us to get over the greatest difficulties in the way of forgiving our brethren. As with God nothing is impossible, so all things are possible to him that can believe. Our Lord showed his disciples their need of deep humility. The Lord has such a property in every creature, as no man can have in another; he cannot be in debt to them for their services, nor do they deserve any return from him.