Lucas 12
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Lucas 12
Phillips – Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary) ILLUSTRATION OF PROVIDENTIAL PROVISION - We are not only to consider the birds and God's care for them, we are also to consider the barrenness of worry. The Battle of Brooklyn began on August 27, 1776. It was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War following the United States Declaration of Independence. British General Howe's army in New York numbered 32,000 experienced soldiers. American General George Washington had about 20,000 troops in the area but they were not as well-trained as British soldiers.During an opening engagement of the battle, Washington watched some 1500 American troops perish. Trembling, he cried out, "Good God, what brave fellows I must this day lose!" A man of prayer, Washington looked to the Lord as he feared the American army would be completely destroyed during the battle. As he prayed, he realized that the 8000 men in Brooklyn had to be evacuated to Manhattan. With no ships at his disposal, he had to rely on small boats. On the night of August 29, the Americans began the evacuation. All through the night, American soldiers silently left their entrenchments and their boats slipped quietly through the water to Manhattan. Just before dawn, Major Ben Tallmadge remembered the following events: "As the dawn of the next day approached, those of us in the trenches became very anxious for our own safety, and when the dawn appeared there were several regiments still on duty. At this time a very dense fog began to rise (out of the ground and off the river), and it seemed to settle in a particular manner over both encampments. I recollect this peculiar providential occurrence perfectly well, and so very dense the atmosphere that I could scarcely discern a man at six yards distance." The fog held five hours into daylight, enough time for the Americans to safely escape. God took care of these men for He is watching over all of us, and desires for us to look to Him in our time of trouble and desperation. (Rod Mattoon - Treasures from Luke) BECOME A "SPIRITUAL BIRDWATCHER" and/or A "SPIRITUAL GARDNER" As practical application, you might consider taking up the "avocation" of "spiritual bird watching" and/or "spiritual gardening." One cannot help but wonder whether bird watchers and gardeners worry less? Although you might think it somewhat unorthodox, consider setting up a bird feeder that you can easily observe and then every time you see one of God's beautiful creatures, ask God by His Spirit to bring the simple but profound truths of Jesus' message on worry to mind (cf Pr 23:7a, Ro 12:2 renewing your mind, Phil 4:8-9 dwelling on what is true and practicing it brings peace). Might such an "exercise" of meditating upon the trustworthy, dependable watch care of our Father for our feathered friends begin to free us from fretting?! Said the Robin to the Sparrow, "I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so." Said the Sparrow to the Robin, "Friend, I think that it must be They have no Heavenly Father, Such as cares for you and me." —Author unknown His Eye is on the Sparrow by Civilla Martin Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Refrain I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Refrain Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Refrain Luke 12:25 "And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life's span? KJV Luke 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Luke 19:3; Mt 5:36; 6:27 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:22-34 How to Solve Worries About Money - Steven Cole Luke 12:22-25 Anxiety-Free Living, Pt. 1 - John MacArthur Luke 12:25-31 Anxiety-Free Living, Pt. 2 - John MacArthur CAN YOU ADD TO YOUR LIFE BY WORRYING? And which of you by worrying (merimnao) can add a single hour (pechus) to his life's span (helika) - Jesus continues His argument about the foolishness and futility of worry. Clearly the logical answer to this question is absolutely no one can add an hour to their life by worrying! Worrying is useless!
Lucas 12
Phillips - It is easy to see how people can get put off regarding the Second Coming of Christ. Some people, for instance, set dates for the Lord's return and trumpet their "discoveries." It has happened often. The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Seventh-Day Adventists both did that. When I was young, a man named G. F. Vallance caused a considerable stir that came to nothing. Several years ago, Edgar C. Wisenant attracted media attention with his book 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988. All such efforts are in vain, and they invariably produce their casualties. Then some people embrace the idea that the church is spiritual Israel. That creates all kinds of eschatological problems. Much of the Old Testament has to be allegorized. The literal interpretation of Old Testament prophecies has to be debunked along with clear teaching on the Millennium. The modern rebirth of the nation of Israel has to be somehow explained away. Along with all this, some people have always picked up bits and pieces of prophetic truth and used them to support some error or other. No wonder many people wash their hands of Bible prophecy altogether and end up becoming skeptics. Some of them use the long-seeming delay of the present age as their excuse for discounting precious truth. The Lord Himself said that His coming would be delayed (Lk 18:7; 20:9). Had Israel accepted Him as Messiah, all of the Old Testament prophecies would have been fulfilled then and there. The stubborn rejection of Christ by the Jewish people brought on the church age, a long parenthesis in God's dealings with Israel and the nations. (See Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary) Related Illustration on How Far is Hell? Related Resources: Table comparing Rapture vs Second Coming Is it possible to know when Jesus is coming back? How can I be sure I won’t be left behind in the rapture? Can the return of Christ truly be said to be imminent? Is 2017 a Jubilee year? Will Christ return in 2017? What is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Is Jesus coming soon? Heart (2588)(kardia) is the center of his being, the "control center" so to speak. Kardia does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will. No outward obedience is of the slightest value unless the heart turns to God. Kardia as stated above refers not to the physical organ (over 800 mentions and none refer to the physical organ!), but is always used figuratively to center of our personality, to so to speak to our "control center" (to make a play on the "air traffic control center" at the airport which carefully guards and guides what flies in and what flies out. How applicable to our "hearts" which are so prone to wander!). In short kardia refers to the the affective center of our being wherein lies the capacity of moral preference and volitional desire. The kardia generates thoughts that make the decisions which the mind works out. In other words, our logic flows out of our heart-decisions and not vice versa. Gleason Archer called the kardia, the "desire-producer that makes us tick" for it is the place where our "desire-decisions" occur, and which establish who we really are. WHO ARE YOU? HAVE YOU HAD A HEART CHECK UP RECENTLY? We are assiduous to do this medically, but woefully lax in doing it spiritually (beloved, I speak from experience!). At regeneration God reverses the spiritual atherosclerosis of our old sinful heart by giving us a total heart transplant! Daily confession and repentance are thereafter necessary to avoid "spiritual atherosclerosis" and gradual, subtle hardening (and becoming cold to the things of God) of our heart! (Read and practice daily "preventative maintenance" = 1 Jn 1:9+, Pr 28:13+). Get drunk (present tense = not just an occasional "slip up," but one's lifestyle or habitual practice)(3182)(methusko from methuo = drink to intoxication) means to have one's faculties impaired (as by alcohol) or become intoxicated. It is notable that both wine and the Spirit do their work deep in the human psyche. They effect people below the level of consciousness, down at the foundations of personality. Methusko - Lk. 12:45; Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:7 Matthew 24:45–51 Compared with Luke 12:42–46 MATTHEW 24:45-51 LUKE 12:42-46 servant manager has put in charge will put in charge household employees servants food food allowance or food ration wicked omitted in Luke is taking his time is taking his time in coming his fellow servants the men and women servants shall eat and drink with drunkards to eat and drink and get drunk with hypocrites with the unfaithful Luke 12:46 the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. KJV Luke 12:46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him Luke 12:19,20,40; Rev 16:15 will cut him in pieces. Ps 37:9; 94:14 assign him a place Job 20:29; Ps 11:5; Mt 7:22,23; 13:41,42,49,50 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:35-48 Are You Ready for Christ’s Return? - Steven Cole Luke 12:41-48 Reward and Punishment at Christ's Return - John MacArthur Related Passage: Matthew 24:51 and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Comment: The place of weeping and gnashing (cf Mt. 8:12;. 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 13:28) is a clear description of just some of the horrors of hell which await the individuals so judged. The fact that Matthew's passage almost perfectly parallels Luke 12:46 strongly supports the interpretation that a place in v46 is hell (gehenna). THE UNFAITHFUL SERVANT'S SURPRISE The master (kurios) of that slave (doulos) will come on a day when he does not expect (prosdokao) him - Not expect the negative is not "me" (relative negation) but "ou" which signifies absolute negation! The slave will be absolutely surprised and shocked! This illustrates the danger of waiting until the last minute to repent and believe in Jesus (borrow Last words of saints and sinners). You do not know when He is coming. And more importantly you do not (always) know the moment you will take your last breath. Note that Jesus in this passage is not referring to believers who lose their salvation, because our eternal destiny is not based on our good works but on our faith and on God's faithfulness to His covenant, which He will not break. (Heb 6:16-18+) And at an hour he does not know (ginosko) and will cut him in pieces (dichotomeo) , and assign him a place with the unbelievers (apistos) - A day...an hour reiteration adds emphasis to this warning as one that will be fulfilled with the time is ripe and right! Of course no man knows when the master will return, but in contrast to those who don't know but remain every ready, these are never ready! The termination of their day of lascivious revelry will come suddenly when they least expect it, much like it came upon Belshazzar in the midst of drunken debauchery in Daniel 5:5-6, 24-28, 30+. Will cut him in pieces as was done literally by ancient barbarian pagans. This is a figure of speech, like a hyperbole, which speaks of the horror of the punishment that awaits these wicked stewards. It will be as bad as being literally dismembered! What is the place for unbelievers? Clearly it is separation eternally from God's presence. So if one interprets this passage as referring to a loss of rewards for a believer, they are clearly neglecting the context which is king for accurate interpretation. The phrase cut in pieces (cf Mt 24:50) literally means to cut into two parts. It is used in that strict sense in the Greek translation of the OT in regard to the preparation of an animal sacrifice (Ex 29:17). To Jews it would therefore carry the unmistakable idea of destruction and death. Furthermore, while Jesus' use is undoubtedly figurative, since dichotomeo means to cut in two, it would picture a horrible punishment of being cut in two while still alive. THOUGHT - The Lord's words should induce us to awesome thoughtfulness AS TO WHAT WE DO WITH OUR LIVES ON EARTH. The evidence that ONE IS A TRUE SERVANT of Jesus Christ is found in how he responds to the duties which his Lord imposes upon him. Accordingly, how we live our lives in this life becomes the basis of reward and punishment in the next. God's true servants will be rewarded for their faithfulness and good works while hypocrites will be punished for their evil works and unfaithfulness. Spurgeon on cut in pieces - This is a truly terrible expression. We are sometimes charged with using too strong expressions with regard to the wrath to come. It is quite impossible that we should do so, even if we tried, for the expressions of the Lord Jesus are more profoundly terrible than any which even mediaeval writers have ever been known to invent.....The worst portion that any man can get is with the unbelievers. Are there not some here who may, in this verse, see what a dark doom theirs will be if they are among those who are described as being out in sunder, and having their portion with the unbelievers? Truly, our Lord uses very strong words; the Saviour is not one of your effeminate preachers like those of modern times, who seem as if the very word “hell” would burn their lips, and who will not warn men to flee from the wrath to come. It is an unkind and heartless want of humanity which prevents their being faithful to the souls of men. The great Lord, who is full of tenderness, does not hesitate to use the sternest figure, and the most terrible language, simply because he does not consult his own feelings but aims at the highest good of those with whom he deals. This is a terrible word for us if we are unfaithful at the last: “He will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.” It is an awful thing that the unfaithful servant gets his portion with those who do not believe in Christ. The Lord preserve all of us from such a doom! (Luke 12 - Exposition) The place and plight of an unbeliever is described by Jesus in Luke 13 declaring “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out. (Luke 13:28+) See the tragic List of What Awaits those who go to hell. NET Note on cut in pieces - The verb dichotomeo means to cut an object into two parts. This is an extremely severe punishment compared to the other two later punishments. To translate it simply as "punish" is too mild. If taken literally this servant is dismembered, although it is possible to view the stated punishment as hyperbole. (Luke 12) Crawford - Those who want to make this the punishment of a genuine believer who has been unfaithful apply the word figuratively to the cutting with a scourge. "There is no example of the word being used of scourging" (A. Plummer). Even if we could use a figurative meaning here, the problem would remain about the meaning of the words, "appoint him his portion with the unbelievers", which refers to punishment after death. To be cut in sunder is a violent death (1 Chron 20:3), and to be with the unbelievers forever is the correct portion for this false servant. (What the Bible teaches – Luke) Matthew
Lucas 12
Phillips has an interesting interpretation of the judgments described in Lk 12:46-48 - there is the matter of his sentence (Lk 12:46-48). Three types of servants are in view here. The first type is the false servant: "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." This servant is no servant at all. Whatever profession of faith the man might have made is annulled by his behavior. The Lord numbers him among the unbelievers. Judas was just such a man. The second type is the forgetful servant: "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes" (Lk 12:47). Here is a man who is well schooled in the things of God. He knows what is expected of him. Nevertheless, he wastes his time and talents and ignores God's will for his life. Instead of laying up treasure in heaven, he fritters away his life. He will be "beaten with many stripes." Sometimes those stripes come in this life as God chastises him for his neglect. At other times, God withholds judgment here because He intends to deal with it over there. This brings into view the judgment seat of Christ (Rom. 2:16; 1 Cor. 3:11-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). "[He] shall be beaten with many stripes." He will suffer blow after blow, as it were, as the various affairs of his life are weighed and found wanting and are cast into the fire as wood, hay, and stubble. Finally, the third type is the feeble servant: "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes." No excuse will be accepted at the judgment seat for poor performance, but allowance will be made for ignorance. The principle that the Lord lays down is simple: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Lk 12:48b). In other words, the Lord's requirements are similar to those required by a human employer. (Ibid) Expect (4328)(prosdokao from prós = towards - adds the idea of “mental direction” to the already existing meaning of the verb + dokáo = look for denoting direction of one's mind toward something) means literally to look forward toward, to wait for, to look for, to anticipate. This is an event the slave is NOT "looking forward to" (not expecting)! Cut in pieces (1371)(dichotomeo from dícha = separately, and temno = to cut and tomé = a cuttting) means to cut in two, as was done in ancient punishment, speaking of of the dismemberment of a condemned person. W E Vine - Some take the reference to be to the mode of punishment by which criminals and captives were "cut" in two; others, on account of the fact that in these passages the delinquent is still surviving after the treatment, take the verb to denote "to cut up" by scourging, to scourge severely, the word being used figuratively. As to Matt. 24:51, it has been remarked that the "cutting asunder" was an appropriate punishment for one who had lived a double life. In both passages the latter part of the sentence applies to retribution beyond this life. Zodhiates has a detailed explanation on dichotomeō - To cut in two or asunder. If this word is understood in its primary and literal sense, it must denote that most horrible punishment of being cut in two while alive. There is a tradition that the prophet Isaiah thus died, and the Apostle is thought to allude to this in Heb 11:37, "they were sawn asunder"; see 1 Sa 15:33; 2 Sa 12:31; Da 2:5; 3:29. This was a manner of execution of criminals practiced at that time. In the NT used figuratively meaning to scourge with the utmost severity, to cut asunder as it were by scourging (Mt. 24:51; Lk 12:46). Scourging was usually inflicted upon idle and negligent servants among the Jews. In Matthew, the servant must endure great punishment, and in Lk 12:47 the explanation is given that the unfaithful servant should be beaten with many stripes. These parables refer to the Master's rewards and punishments for faithful or unfaithful service by those who claim to be His servants. The Lord's words should induce us to awesome thoughtfulness as to what we do with our lives on earth. The evidence that one is a true servant of Jesus Christ is found in how he responds to the duties which his Lord imposes upon him. Accordingly, how we live our lives in this life becomes the basis of reward and punishment in the next. God's true servants will be rewarded for their faithfulness and good works while hypocrites will be punished for their evil works and unfaithfulness. (The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament) Gilbrant - In classical Greek dichotomeō is used in reference to the ancient method of punishment by “cutting into pieces” or the “dismemberment” of a convicted and condemned person. In the Septuagint it appears in Exodus 29:17 (ONLY USE IN Lxx), “Cut the ram in pieces.” Here dichotomeō translates the Hebrew word nāthach which simply means “cut up, cut in pieces,” although nāthach is usually translated into Greek as melizein. (See also Leviticus 1:8; Ezekiel 24:4.) In the New Testament dichotomeō occurs only in Matthew 24:51, “He will cut him to pieces” (NIV), and the parallel passage of Luke 12:46. Here it seems to mean “cut in two for the purpose of punishment.” (Complete Biblical Library) Unbelievers (571)(apistos from a = negative + pistos = faith) means "(1) not believable, incredible, impossible to be true (Acts 26.8); (2) lacking in faith, unbelieving, not trusting (Jn 20.27); substantivally, as one who does not believe God's message about Christ unbeliever, pagan (1Ti 5.8); plural nonbelievers, non-Christians, pagans (1Co 6.6); (3) as a quality of behavior lacking in faithfulness, unfaithful, untrustworthy; substantivally unreliable person (Rev 21.8)." (Friberg Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) The dominant sense in the NT of apistos is as an adjective describing one who is not a believer. This supports the interpretation that Jesus is not referring to believers who lose their reward, but of professing believers who lack genuine belief and so end up in hell, the place with the unbelievers. Apistos - 23x in 21v and is translated in NAS as incredible(1), unbeliever(4), unbelievers(7), unbelieving(10), unbelieving one(1). Matt. 17:17; Mk. 9:19; Lk. 9:41; Lk. 12:46; Jn. 20:27; Acts 26:8; 1 Co. 6:6; 1 Co. 7:12; 1 Co. 7:13; 1 Co. 7:14; 1 Co. 7:15; 1 Co. 10:27; 1 Co. 14:22; 1 Co. 14:23; 1 Co. 14:24; 2 Co. 4:4; 2 Co. 6:14; 2 Co. 6:15; 1 Tim. 5:8; Titus 1:15; Rev. 21:8 Luke 12:47 "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes , KJV Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will Luke 10:12-15; Numbers 15:30,31; Mt 11:22-24; Jn 9:41; 12:48; 15:22-24; 19:11; Acts 17:30; 2 Cor 2:15,16; James 4:17 will receive many lashes Deuteronomy 25:2,3 Luke 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 12:35-48 Are You Ready for Christ’s Return? - Steven Cole Luke 12:41-48 Reward and Punishment at Christ's Return - John MacArthur Related Passage: Luke 10:12-15+ “I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. 13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 “But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. 15“And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! James 4:17+ Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. KNOWING AND NOT DOING WILL RECEIVES GREATER PUNISHMENT And that slave (doulos) who knew (ginosko) his master's (kurios) will (thelema) and did not get ready (hetoimazo) or act (poieo) in accord with his will will receive many lashes (dero) - The slave refers to the one described in this passage. Compare Acts 22:14; Rom 2:18. As Stein says "he is more guilty than the next man, for “anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (Jas 4:17). To sin in the face of much spiritual light is a sobering thought which yields a frightening fate! Compare the fate of the Jews in Jesus' day of His Light with that of the abominable cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Mt 10:15). Many passages allude to the principle of degrees of punishment - Mt 11:20-24, 12:41,42 Jn 19:11, Lk 10:12-16, 11:31,32, 12:47,48, 20:45,46,47, Mk 12:38,39,40, Heb 10:29. Will receive many lashes - KJV preserves the sense of the passive voice "shall be beaten." In this context the passive is the so-called "Divine passive" as it is God Who administers the punishment. And yet while this punishment is less severe than being cut in pieces, it is still punishment. NET Note on knew his master's will - Grk "or do according to his will"; the referent (the master) has been specified in the translation for clarity. This example deals with the slave who knew what the command was and yet failed to complete it. (Luke 12)