Senior Class Notes – February 25, 2024

Winter – 2023-2024 Unit 2 Session 6 – Maturing Faith; Luke 17:1-10, PSG 152-161 CSB; PSG 118-125 KJV.

February 25, 2024

The Point: Faith matures as we humbly obey God.

Inspirational verse: “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken then the fat of Rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Luke 17:1 Then he said unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come.

At this point Jesus began to instruct His disciples more fully as the time drew near for Him to go to the cross.¹³ Divine judgment awaits the person who causes a disciple of Christ to sin.¹⁶ Many times, sin is not a solitary problem. Temptations often arise when we get around other people. Jesus holds those accountable who lead others into sinful actions.¹⁷ The purpose of this discourse (v 1-10) is to refute the Pharisees’ idea that they were worthy of God’s favor because of their religious practices.¹⁹ Impossible means Offenses are inevitable. See also Matthew 18:6-7; Mark 9:42.¹⁴ Woe unto him. Jesus warned that judgment awaits those who cause others to stumble. The severe form of the warning suggests that false teaching, or leading someone into apostasy, is in view here.¹⁸ Jesus may have been directing this warning at the religious leaders who taught their converts their own hypocritical ways (see Matthew 23:15). “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” They were perpetuating an evil system. A person who teaches others has a solemn responsibility “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1). Masters are teachers. Many people desire to be teachers because this is an important and respected role in the church (1 Cor. 12:28). Yet the proliferation of untrained teachers can allow false teachings to arise within congregations, leading some astray. Because of their role as leaders, teachers are under stricter judgment and should not be appointed carelessly.¹⁶ Like physicians, a teacher should keep this ancient oath in mind: “First, do no harm.”³³ Jesus is still addressing the final judgment in these verses [vs. 17:1-6], though the focus now is on caring for fellow believers and forgiving repentant believers (vv. 1-2, 3-4).³¹

Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

A millstone was a round stone used to grind grain, too large for one man to carry much less to swim with it.¹⁶ The “millstone” refers to the heavy upper stone used for grinding grain and highlights the severity of the judgment. It would be better to die by such violent means than to act as a stumbling block and face eternal judgment. The description of Jesus’ disciples as “little ones” highlights their vulnerability.³¹ Jesus’ words as recorded by Luke are ominous, but a similar statement following the parable of the tares as recorded in Matthew 13:40-42 is even worst.¹⁷ (As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity – (a wicked act or thing: SIN)²⁴; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. – Matthew 13:40-42).¹⁷ The sea: Greek Thalassa, the word is used in connection with specific bodies of water:²⁰

The Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:16).
The Red Sea (Heb. 11:29).
The Mediterranean Sea (Acts 27:30).

Throughout the Bible, the word also has a symbolic connotation, referring to those restless, rebellious forces that are opposed to the plan and people of God and that God will subdue (Matt. 8:24). When John announces in Revelation 21:1 that “there was no more sea,” it is a declaration of God’s ultimate victory over all his unseen enemies.²⁰ Should offend one of these little ones. The little ones could be children as in a parallel passage (Matthew 18:2-6), or older believers as well (Mark 10:24).¹³ This could also be applied to new believers who are considered immature in their faith.¹² Our lives must be carefully examined to see how they affect those around us, especially our families.¹³ The word offend – Greek skandalizō – is the verb form of a Greek noun that means “stumbling block” or “snare.” The term refers to the trigger which springs a trap. In the New Testament it means anything that hinders someone from doing what is right or causes one to sin or fall away from the faith. Jesus emphatically warns that stumbling blocks are sure to come our way. Nonetheless, He condemned those who put stumbling blocks in the way of believers. He says that death by drowning would be preferable to offending “one of these little ones” in the faith.²⁰ Jesus employed this imagery to emphasize the seriousness of leading young believers into spiritual error or abusing them in some way (Matt. 18:6-7).³²

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him.

The purpose of rebuking a sinner is to get him to repent of his sin. If there is true repentance, there should be full forgiveness.¹⁶ Forgiveness is first granted, and then it is experienced by those who repent. The point in this passage is that forgiveness is to be verbalized at the time the sinner repents.¹⁷ Matthew quoted Jesus as saying “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother (Matt. 18:15)”.¹⁴ The rebuking of a brother or sister (fellow Christian)¹² who sins against someone is to be done privately.¹³ “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35)³⁶ Caring relationships among the family of God is described in terms of warning of the seriousness of sin and of continuing to forgive in response to repentance for sin.³¹

Luke 17:4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Seven is the biblical number of completeness. To forgive “seven times” means to keep forgiving, no matter what. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).¹⁶ Peter wrongly assumes that seven times are ample to forgive anyone. Jesus responds that seven is not only insufficient but that one should forgive seventy times seven, in other words, unlimited forgiveness must characterize the true disciple. Saying does not have to imply that the repentance is shallow. Thou shalt is a command.¹⁴ Forgiveness toward a repentant brother is to be offered unceasingly.¹³ Jesus is not encouraging irresponsible behavior on the part of the offender, but merciful and gracious behavior on the part of the person who has been wronged. “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).²

Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

Genuine faith is powerful even in small quantities.¹⁶ Note the subtle shift from “disciples” (see 17:1) to “apostles.”¹⁷ When Jesus began to speak of reflecting the true righteousness of God, the apostles could only respond with a plea: increase our faith.¹⁹ They felt incapable of measuring up to the standards set forth in verses 1-4. They wanted greater faith to lay hold of the power to live up to Jesus’ standards.³⁶ The magnitude of the command in verse 4 leads to a plea for assistance. Faith, understood here not merely in a mental sense, but also in the sense of active “faithfulness,” is the key. One’s faith often increases as one steps out in trusting obedience.¹⁴ Many people believe they would be better equipped to live the Christian life if God would grant them more faith. Jesus focused not on the quantity of faith but its character. More faith does not equal greater ability to accomplish, since God is the One who does the work.³² We do not need more faith to comply with the Lord’s instructions, but genuine faith. It is not the amount that matters – even a mustard seed of faith will do. However, it must be based completely on the Lord’s ability, not our own. The almighty power of God can work in an amazing way through a willing vessel (2 Cor. 4:7).²

Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

The mustard seed was thought by farmers in the Levant [The Levant is an approximate historical geographical term referring to a large area in the Eastern Mediterranean region of West Asia. The countries of the eastern part of the Mediterranean.]⁵⁴ to be the smallest of seeds. A sycamine is another name for a mulberry tree, which has such an extensive and deep root system that it might live for several hundred years. It took a very powerful force to uproot such a tree.¹⁶ Asking God for anything, even for a sycamore tree to be uprooted and cast into the sea, will be accomplished, provided it is God’s will. We may never ask with assurance for anything that is outside of God’s will. To pray in the will of God we must have His Word abiding in us “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7), because only His Word informs us with certainty regarding His will.¹³ Jesus replied to his disciples who were asking why they could not drive out a demon in Matthew 17:20. “Because you have so little faith, Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”³⁶ Despite the apparent difficulty in these requirements, it is the presence of even mustard-seed-sized faith that is important, not the amount of faith. The saying in Luke 17:6 is a hyperbolic way to refer to seemingly impossible activities that could be done if one trusts in God. In this context, the “Impossible” activity carried out by faith is that of forgiving a repentant believer.³¹

Luke 17:7 But which, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

This short parable of service reflects upon what our attitude should be when we have done all that God has commanded. Instead of being proud we are to be humble enough to consider ourselves as useless, because we have simply done our duty. Compare what we are to say of ourselves with what Christ says to His faithful servant at the last day. “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21)¹³ If the demands in verses 1-6 are viewed as an expected part of serving God, verses 7-10 clarify that we serve Him in response to His grace; obeying these demands does not obligate the master to reward the slave.³¹

Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

If Jesus had the Pharisees in mind even while addressing His disciples in this chapter, the religious leaders would have bristled at the comparison to servants who had to clean themselves after working in the fields before they could prepare and serve supper.¹⁷

Luke 17:9 Doth he think that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not.

A servant who only did his job, or what was commanded, got no special commendation since all he had done was to fulfill his responsibilities.¹⁶ Servants are expected to do the will of their masters or employers; their work is not a favor but a required service. A servant of God seeks to obey God’s commands without question and without bargaining for a reward.³²

Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you. Say. We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Similarly, a disciple of Christ should not expect special commendation for doing what is required. We serve the Lord because this is what it means to follow Him as disciples. It is our duty.¹⁶ Jesus does not want us to grow proud over the things He enables us to accomplish by His Spirit. So Paul writes, “When I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach” (1 Cor. 9:16).² We cannot earn God’s favor. We are unprofitable servants who can only humbly respond to our master’s commands.¹⁹ Contrary to the folk wisdom of the day (and now), Jesus is clear that human obedience to God does not put God in debt to man. Jesus here gives a succinct picture of the attitude that should underlie our service to God. Otherwise, we are merely hirelings.¹⁴ Instead of being proud we are to be humble enough to consider ourselves as useless, because we have simply done our duty. Compare what we are to say of ourselves with what Christ says to His faithful servants at the last day “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21).¹³

References: Winter 2023-2024, December 3, 2023 – February 25, 2024

(CWB) – Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry – Marshall, Morgan & Scott, Ltd. Copyright © 1960. Copyright 1961 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan. 49506
(CWB#2) – Commentary practical and explanatory on the Whole Bible by Rev. Robert Jamieson, Rev. A.R. Fausset, Rev. David Brown by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan. 49506
(ESVSB) – The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(HISB) – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible Copyright © 2006 by Holman Bible Publishers. The Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers.
(HRTB) He Reads Truth Bible Copyright © 2019 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Based on the Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with – In My O
(KJBC) – The King James Bible Commentary, Copyright © 1999 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. ©1983 by Old-Time Gospel Hour. Scripture quotations are from the Open Bible, King James version, © 1975 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(KJSB) – The King James Study Bible, (previously published as The Liberty Annotated Study Bible and as The Annotated Study Bible, King James Version) © 1988 by Liberty University.
(LESB) Life Essentials Study Bible Copyright © 2019 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Based on the Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
(NCBD) – The Nelson’s Compact Bible Dictionary Copyright © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NIDNTT) – The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology Copyright © 1967, 1969, 1971 by Theologisher Verlag Rolf Brockhaus, Wuppertal. English Language edition Volume 1 Copyright © 1975, 1986, The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A. and The Paternoster Press, Ltd. Exeter, Devon, U.K.
(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible Copyright © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible.
(NIVCBSB) – The New International Version Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by the Zondervan Corporation.
(NIVJSB) – The New International Version Jeremiah Study Bible, Copyright © 2016 by David Jeremiah, Inc. Using the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan.
(NIVLASB) – The New International Version Life Application Study Bible, Hardcover Edition. Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton Il. 60189. Hardcover editions are published by Tyndale house.
(NIVMEB) – The New International Version Ministry Essentials Bible, Copyright © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC. Based on The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.®
(NIVSB #2) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2011, 2020 by Zondervan Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546, USA. text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®
(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible Copyright © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
(NKJVBGTCB) – The New King James Version Billy Graham Training Center Bible © 2004 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. with Scripture Quotations from the New King James Version of the Bible Copyright © 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(NKJVSB) – Holman Study Bible, New King James Version Edition Copyright © 2013 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tn. Text from the New King James Version Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
(PSG) – Bible Studies For life – King James Version Adults Personal Study Guide Winter 2023-2024 Volume 11, Number 2.
(QNBD) – Quick Notes Bible Dictionary based on text from the King James Version of the Bible and cross referenced with the NIV and NRSV Bibles. Copyright © 1998 by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray.
(SEC) – Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with Dictionaries of the Hebrew Bible and the Greek Testament words. Copyright © 1890 by James Strong. Based on the King James Version of the Bible.
(TATA) – The Acts of The Apostles by Charles Caldwell Ryrie Copyright © 1961 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
(TDNT) – Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
(THBC) – Today’s Handbook of Bible Characters Copyright © 1979 by E.M. Blaiklock, published by Bethany House Publishers.
(TMEB) – The Ministry Essential Bible © 2014 by Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC P.O. Box 3473 Peabody, Massachusetts 01961-3473.
(TZPEB) – The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, copyright © 1975, 1976 by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(WIKI) Wikipedia – internet source.