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Selected Verse: Matthew 24:45 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Mt 24:45	Strong Concordance	Who [5101] then [686] is [2076] a faithful [4103] and [2532] wise [5429] servant [1401], whom [3739] his [846] lord [2962] hath made ruler [2525] over [1909] his [846] household [2322], to give [1325] them [846] meat [5160] in [1722] due season [2540]?
	King James	Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

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Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
This passage is, in fact, "a parable," though it is not expressly so called. The design is to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. This he illustrates by the conduct of a servant who did not expect his master soon to return, who acted with great impropriety, and who was accordingly punished. Mat 24:45 Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant ... - By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant Jesus intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion. Whom his lord - His master. The word here has no reference to God. It means the "lord" or master of the servant. Applied to Christian teachers, in the spiritual meaning of the parable, it refers to "Christ," who has appointed them as teachers, and who is their Lord and Master, Joh 13:13-14. Over his household - His family. Christian ministers are the servants of God appointed over the church, the family of Christ, Th1 5:12-13; Co1 3:5; Co1 4:1-2; Co1 12:28. Meat in due season - The word "meat" here means food of all kinds. When the Bible was translated into English, the word included, as the original does, all kinds of provisions requisite to support and nourish life. In due season - As they need it, or in the accustomed times. This was the office of a steward. Among the ancients this office was often filled by a "slave" - one who had shown himself trusty and faithful. The duty was to have a general superintendence over the affairs of the family. Applied to Christian ministers, it means that they are to feed the flock of God, to "minister" to their needs, and to do it as they need it, Joh 21:15-17; Act 20:28; Co1 4:1-2. Mat 24:47 Shall make him ruler ... - Shall confirm his appointment over his household, and, as a reward, shall place him over all his property. This does not mean that ministers will have a higher rank or office, but is a circumstance of "the parable" or story, designed to show the effect of faithfulness. Faithful servants of Christ shall be rewarded. This will be done by His approbation, and by the rewards of the heavenly world. Mat 24:48 That evil servant - If that servant, so appointed, having this office, should be evil or wicked. Say in his heart - Secretly suppose. Delayeth his coming - Will not return in a long time; or does not return as soon as was expected, and perhaps may not at all. Mat 24:49 Smite his fellow-servants ... - This is the conduct of a wicked servant, who, supposing he would not be called to account, and abusing his authority, gave himself up to oppression, carousing, and debauchery. It is designed to represent the conduct of ministers who are unfaithful and overbearing, and who abuse their trust in the church. Mat 24:51 Shall cut him asunder - This kind of punishment was anciently practiced. Sometimes it was done by the sword. sometimes by saws. It was practiced among the Chaldeans Dan 2:5; Dan 3:29, and among the Hebrews, Sa2 12:31; Sa1 15:33; Kg1 3:25; Heb 11:37. It was also practiced by the Egyptians and Romans. It is not, perhaps, here to be taken literally, but signifies that the wicked servant should be severely punished. Hypocrites - See the notes at Mat 6:2. They are spoken of here as the worst of people. Weeping and gnashing of teeth - See the notes at Mat 8:12-13. The unfaithful and wicked minister of God, who lives without expectation or fear of judgment, shall suffer the severest punishment inflicted on sinners in the world of woe.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

This passage is, in fact, "a parable," though it is not expressly so called. The design is to show that his disciples should act as if they were each moment expecting his return. This he illustrates by the conduct of a servant who did not expect his master soon to return, who acted with great impropriety, and who was accordingly punished.

Mat 24:45

Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant ... - By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant Jesus intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion.

Whom his lord - His master.

The word here has no reference to God. It means the "lord" or master of the servant. Applied to Christian teachers, in the spiritual meaning of the parable, it refers to "Christ," who has appointed them as teachers, and who is their Lord and Master, Joh 13:13-14.

Over his household - His family. Christian ministers are the servants of God appointed over the church, the family of Christ, Th1 5:12-13; Co1 3:5; Co1 4:1-2; Co1 12:28.

Meat in due season - The word "meat" here means food of all kinds. When the Bible was translated into English, the word included, as the original does, all kinds of provisions requisite to support and nourish life.

In due season - As they need it, or in the accustomed times. This was the office of a steward. Among the ancients this office was often filled by a "slave" - one who had shown himself trusty and faithful. The duty was to have a general superintendence over the affairs of the family. Applied to Christian ministers, it means that they are to feed the flock of God, to "minister" to their needs, and to do it as they need it, Joh 21:15-17; Act 20:28; Co1 4:1-2.

Mat 24:47

Shall make him ruler ... - Shall confirm his appointment over his household, and, as a reward, shall place him over all his property.

This does not mean that ministers will have a higher rank or office, but is a circumstance of "the parable" or story, designed to show the effect of faithfulness. Faithful servants of Christ shall be rewarded. This will be done by His approbation, and by the rewards of the heavenly world.

Mat 24:48

That evil servant - If that servant, so appointed, having this office, should be evil or wicked.

Say in his heart - Secretly suppose.

Delayeth his coming - Will not return in a long time; or does not return as soon as was expected, and perhaps may not at all.

Mat 24:49

Smite his fellow-servants ... - This is the conduct of a wicked servant, who, supposing he would not be called to account, and abusing his authority, gave himself up to oppression, carousing, and debauchery.

It is designed to represent the conduct of ministers who are unfaithful and overbearing, and who abuse their trust in the church.

Mat 24:51

Shall cut him asunder - This kind of punishment was anciently practiced.

Sometimes it was done by the sword. sometimes by saws. It was practiced among the Chaldeans Dan 2:5; Dan 3:29, and among the Hebrews, Sa2 12:31; Sa1 15:33; Kg1 3:25; Heb 11:37. It was also practiced by the Egyptians and Romans. It is not, perhaps, here to be taken literally, but signifies that the wicked servant should be severely punished.

Hypocrites - See the notes at Mat 6:2. They are spoken of here as the worst of people.

Weeping and gnashing of teeth - See the notes at Mat 8:12-13. The unfaithful and wicked minister of God, who lives without expectation or fear of judgment, shall suffer the severest punishment inflicted on sinners in the world of woe.

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
faithful See (Luk 12:42-46); (Co1 4:2). It is faithfulness, not ability, in the Lord's service that is first approved by Him.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
In due season (ἐν ακιρῷ) At the regular hours which his Lord observes when at home; and not delaying because he thinks that his Lord delayeth his coming (Mat 24:48), but doing his duty in its appointed time.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
Who then is the faithful and wise servant - Which of you aspires after this character? Wise - Every moment retaining the clearest conviction, that all he now has is only intrusted to him as a steward: Faithful - Thinking, speaking, and acting continually, in a manner suitable to that conviction.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Who then is a faithful and wise servant - All should live in the same expectation of the coming of Christ, which a servant has with respect to the return of his master, who, in departing for a season, left the management of his affairs to him; and of which management he is to give an exact account on his master's return. Here is an abstract of the duties of a minister of Christ. 1. He is appointed, not by himself, but by the vocation and mission of his Master. 2. He must look on himself, not as the master of the family, but as the servant. 3. He must be scrupulously faithful and exact in fulfilling the commands of his Master. 4. His fidelity must be ever accompanied by wisdom and prudence. 5. He must give the domestics - the sacred family, their food; and this food must be such as to afford them true nourishment. And 6. This must be done in its season. There are certain portions of the bread of life which lose their effect by being administered out of proper season, or to improper persons.

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¹² But [1161] the children [5207] of the kingdom [932] shall be cast out [1544] into [1519] outer [1857] darkness [4655]: there [1563] shall be [2071] weeping [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599].
¹³ And [2532] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto the centurion [1543], Go thy way [5217]; and [2532] as [5613] thou hast believed [4100], so be it done [1096] unto thee [4671]. And [2532] his [846] servant [3816] was healed [2390] in [1722] the selfsame [1565] hour [5610].

² Therefore [3767] when [3752] thou doest [4160] thine alms [1654], do [4537] not [3361] sound a trumpet [4537] before [1715] thee [4675], as [5618] the hypocrites [5273] do [4160] in [1722] the synagogues [4864] and [2532] in [1722] the streets [4505], that [3704] they may have glory [1392] of [5259] men [444]. Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], They have [568] their [846] reward [3408].

³⁷ They were stoned [3034], they were sawn asunder [4249], were tempted [3985], were slain [599] with [1722] the sword [5408] [3162]: they wandered about [4022] in [1722] sheepskins [3374] and [1722] goatskins [122] [1192]; being destitute [5302], afflicted [2346], tormented [2558];

²⁵ And the king [04428] said [0559], Divide [01504] the living [02416] child [03206] in two [08147], and give [05414] half [02677] to the one [0259], and half [02677] to the other [0259].

³³ And Samuel [08050] said [0559], As thy sword [02719] hath made women [0802] childless [07921], so shall thy mother [0517] be childless [07921] among women [0802]. And Samuel [08050] hewed [08158] Agag [090] in pieces [08158] before [06440] the LORD [03068] in Gilgal [01537].

³¹ And he brought forth [03318] the people [05971] that were therein, and put [07760] them under saws [04050], and under harrows [02757] of iron [01270], and under axes [04037] of iron [01270], and made them pass [05674] through the brickkiln [04404]: and thus did [06213] he unto all the cities [05892] of the children [01121] of Ammon [05983]. So David [01732] and all the people [05971] returned [07725] unto Jerusalem [03389].

²⁹ Therefore I [04481] make [07761] a decree [02942], That every [03606] people [05972], nation [0524], and language [03961], which speak [0560] any thing amiss [07960] [07955] against [05922] the God [0426] of Shadrach [07715], Meshach [04336], and Abednego [05665], shall be cut [05648] in pieces [01917], and their houses [01005] shall be made [07739] a dunghill [05122]: because [06903] [03606] there is [0383] no [03809] other [0321] God [0426] that can [03202] deliver [05338] after this [01836] sort.

⁵ The king [04430] answered [06032] and said [0560] to the Chaldeans [03779], The thing [04406] is gone [0230] from me [04481]: if [02006] ye will not [03809] make known [03046] unto me the dream [02493], with the interpretation [06591] thereof, ye shall be cut [05648] in pieces [01917], and your houses [01005] shall be made [07761] a dunghill [05122].

⁵¹ And [2532] shall cut [1371] him [846] asunder [1371], and [2532] appoint [5087] him his [846] portion [3313] with [3326] the hypocrites [5273]: there [1563] shall be [2071] weeping [2805] and [2532] gnashing [1030] of teeth [3599].

⁴⁹ And [2532] shall begin [756] to smite [5180] his fellowservants [4889], and [1161] to eat [2068] and [2532] drink [4095] with [3326] the drunken [3184];

⁴⁸ But and [1161] if [1437] that [1565] evil [2556] servant [1401] shall say [2036] in [1722] his [846] heart [2588], My [3450] lord [2962] delayeth [5549] his coming [2064];

⁴⁷ Verily [281] I say [3004] unto you [5213], That [3754] he shall make [2525] him [846] ruler [2525] over [1909] all [3956] his [846] goods [5224].

¹ Let [3049] a man [444] so [3779] account [3049] of us [2248], as [5613] of the ministers [5257] of Christ [5547], and [2532] stewards [3623] of the mysteries [3466] of God [2316].
² [3739] [1161] Moreover [3063] it is required [2212] in [1722] stewards [3623], that [2443] a man [5100] be found [2147] faithful [4103].

²⁸ Take heed [4337] therefore [3767] unto yourselves [1438], and [2532] to all [3956] the flock [4168], over [1722] the which [3739] the Holy [40] Ghost [4151] hath made [5087] you [5209] overseers [1985], to feed [4165] the church [1577] of God [2316], which [3739] he hath purchased [4046] with [1223] his own [2398] blood [129].

¹⁵ So [3767] when [3753] they had dined [709], Jesus [2424] saith [3004] to Simon [4613] Peter [4074], Simon [4613], son of Jonas [2495], lovest thou [25] me [3165] more than [4119] these [5130]? He saith [3004] unto him [846], Yea [3483], Lord [2962]; thou [4771] knowest [1492] that [3754] I love [5368] thee [4571]. He saith [3004] unto him [846], Feed [1006] my [3450] lambs [721].
¹⁶ He saith [3004] to him [846] again [3825] the second time [1208], Simon [4613], son of Jonas [2495], lovest thou [25] me [3165]? He saith [3004] unto him [846], Yea [3483], Lord [2962]; thou [4771] knowest [1492] that [3754] I love [5368] thee [4571]. He saith [3004] unto him [846], Feed [4165] my [3450] sheep [4263].
¹⁷ He saith [3004] unto him [846] the third [5154] time, Simon [4613], son of Jonas [2495], lovest [5368] thou me [3165]? Peter [4074] was grieved [3076] because [3754] he said [2036] unto him [846] the third [5154] time, Lovest [5368] thou me [3165]? And [2532] he said [2036] unto him [846], Lord [2962], thou [4771] knowest [1492] all things [3956]; thou [4771] knowest [1097] that [3754] I love [5368] thee [4571]. Jesus [2424] saith [3004] unto him [846], Feed [1006] my [3450] sheep [4263].

²⁸ And [2532] [3739] God [2316] hath set [5087] some [3303] in [1722] the church [1577], first [4412] apostles [652], secondarily [1208] prophets [4396], thirdly [5154] teachers [1320], after that [1899] miracles [1411], then [1534] gifts [5486] of healings [2386], helps [484], governments [2941], diversities [1085] of tongues [1100].

⁵ Who [5101] then [3767] is [2076] Paul [3972], and [1161] who [5101] is Apollos [625], but [235] [2228] ministers [1249] by [1223] whom [3739] ye believed [4100], even [2532] as [5613] the Lord [2962] gave [1325] to every man [1538]?

¹² And [1161] we beseech [2065] you [5209], brethren [80], to know [1492] them which [3588] labour [2872] among [1722] you [5213], and [2532] are over [4291] you [5216] in [1722] the Lord [2962], and [2532] admonish [3560] you [5209];
¹³ And [2532] to esteem [2233] them [846] very [5228] highly [1537] [4053] in [1722] love [26] for [1223] their [846] work's sake [2041]. And be at peace [1514] among [1722] yourselves [1438].

¹³ Ye [5210] call [5455] me [3165] Master [1320] and [2532] Lord [2962]: and [2532] ye say [3004] well [2573]; for [1063] so I am [1510].
¹⁴ If [1487] I [1473] then [3767], your Lord [2962] and [2532] Master [1320], have washed [3538] your [5216] feet [4228]; ye [5210] also [2532] ought [3784] to wash [3538] one another's [240] feet [4228].

⁴⁵ Who [5101] then [686] is [2076] a faithful [4103] and [2532] wise [5429] servant [1401], whom [3739] his [846] lord [2962] hath made ruler [2525] over [1909] his [846] household [2322], to give [1325] them [846] meat [5160] in [1722] due season [2540]?

² [3739] [1161] Moreover [3063] it is required [2212] in [1722] stewards [3623], that [2443] a man [5100] be found [2147] faithful [4103].

⁴² And [1161] the Lord [2962] said [2036], Who [5101] then [686] is [2076] that faithful [4103] and [2532] wise [5429] steward [3623], whom [3739] his lord [2962] shall make ruler [2525] over [1909] his [846] household [2322], to give [1325] them their portion of meat [4620] in [1722] due season [2540]?
⁴³ Blessed [3107] is that [1565] servant [1401], whom [3739] his [846] lord [2962] when he cometh [2064] shall find [2147] so [3779] doing [4160].
⁴⁴ Of a truth [230] I say [3004] unto you [5213], that [3754] he will make him [846] ruler [2525] over [1909] all [3956] that he [846] hath [5224].
⁴⁵ But and [1161] if [1437] that [1565] servant [1401] say [2036] in [1722] his [846] heart [2588], My [3450] lord [2962] delayeth [5549] his coming [2064]; and [2532] shall begin [756] to beat [5180] the menservants [3816] and [2532] maidens [3814], and [5037] to eat [2068] and [2532] drink [4095], and [2532] to be drunken [3182];
⁴⁶ The lord [2962] of that [1565] servant [1401] will come [2240] in [1722] a day [2250] when [3739] he looketh [4328] not [3756] for [4328] him, and [2532] at [1722] an hour [5610] when [3739] he is [1097] not [3756] aware [1097], and [2532] will cut [1371] him [846] in sunder [1371], and [2532] will appoint [5087] him his [846] portion [3313] with [3326] the unbelievers [571].

⁴⁸ But and [1161] if [1437] that [1565] evil [2556] servant [1401] shall say [2036] in [1722] his [846] heart [2588], My [3450] lord [2962] delayeth [5549] his coming [2064];