The Pulpit Commentary — Luke — Volume 1 — Section 334

IlH·s0. Hw fni Iltful 11nd wiae stcwR1-<ls, ~hould the unbelievers," to uud~retand the word ae tl1<·11 T0Pl'il'P wnulrl b0 fl,e being made ruler8 an equivalent for scourging; eo in tho L11t.ln ,,,.,.,. nil 1/,nt th, Lnrd l,nf/1. 'fhe Rnewer of we find flagellis diBcindere, to scourge tho t ii<' llfaeter th0n told Peter thnt all hie back with tho rorl. Thero is, however, no f,,Jlnwers, if founrl true 1md loyal, should known instance of the Grcclc word t,xoTOµ,iv T<'<'<'iw the rewnr,l pro111ipod (in ver. 37) to being used in this sense, The expression i■, tlic watrhiug aervnnts. who in 1he world to however, userl ne simply implying th1Lt a ('nrno would he nnt the Ben•n 11tB but the terrible doom is surely reservecl in the life fri,,nd~ of Gorl. While the few, the chosen to come for t.hoso who hnve so sadly misused npostl0s of the Lord, if they enrlured to the their high opportunities 'and neglected their ,·nrl. if they were fonnrl wise Rnd faithful, to grent responsibilities. "The imaa-e of the them would be gil'en in the new life 11, yet parable itself is blended with the reality more glorious recompense; they would be which the parable signifi~s; this thought of ~et in snme special position of government the human master who onn punish his slaves nnd dominion in the glorious city of God. with tempoml death passeR into that of the This teaches, too, indireolly, but with grent Divine Judge who can punish with spiritual cle1Lrness. tlrnt in the heaven-lire all Christ's death" (Dean Mansel). redeemed will cnjny in the friendship of Vers, 47, 48.-And that servant, whioh God 11, perfect blessedness. Still, in that knew his lord's will, and prepared not him- perfeot blessedness which will be the heri- self, neither did acoording to his will, shall tn.ge of all 1he redeemed, there will still be be beaten with many stripes. llut he that deg-rees in glory. knew not, and did oommit things worthy ot Vers. 45, 46.-llut and if that servant uy stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. in his heart, My lord delayeth his ooming ; For unto whomsoever muoh is given, of him and shall begin to beat the menservants &nd shall be muoh required. These verses are maidens, &r.d to eat and drink, and to be eaey to understand_ They explain the broe.d drunken ; the lord of that servant will oome principles upon which the foregoing state- in a day when he looketh not for him, and at ments, in pe.re.ble and in direot teaching, are an hour when he is not awe.re. "But," con- based. Rewards and punishments will be tinued t.he 1\Iasier, "although certain of my allotted in the comiug world with strict servants have oulooks to higher degrees of justice, To some, grnat knowledge of the glory than the great mass of their fellows, Divine will is given and splendid oppor- these secruindv favoured ones heve at the tunities of work are afforded; to snob, if Eame time wore perilous responsibilities; only they are faithful and true, will ind-1 11nd only if in these graTer responsibilities a high place in the oity of God be allotted; they are faithful to the end, will they re- but alas for them in the life to come if they ce:irn their high and peculiar reward_" If, f&il, if they miss the splendid chance of c,i: the other he.nd, they fail in their per- being trne toilers with and for God I Their petual wat.ch for the coming of tbeir Lord, portion will be the many stripeB, To others e.nd instead of the restless toil which the a knowledge of the Divine will, scanty com- llfaster has assigned to these stewards, t.hese pared with those just spoken of, is given, servants, weighted with higher responsi- and opportunities of doing high and noble bilities, give themselves up to worldly work are here comparatively few; if these ]•k~sures 1.nd passions, terriLle will be their use the little knowledge and seize the few doom. Again the excesses of the table are opportunities, they will, while occupying Fpecially mentioned. If, instead of spendiug a lower grade in the hierarchy of heaven, tl ,emsel ves iu the cares of their high office, et.ill enjoy the perfect bliss of friendship t i Icy make e. profit out of that office, if they with God. The punishment for failure here Ii ,·c ns oppressors of the flock rather than as is designated by the few stripes. In this sl,epher<ls, then to these unfaithful stewards solemn passage it is notable that degrees will tlie Lor<l suddenly come, as pictured in or grades in punishment ae well as degrees tl,e pera.ble imagery, & thief in the night, or grades in glory are distinctly spoken of. And will cut him in sunder, 1.nd will appoint Ver. 49.-1 am come to send lire on the hi!I1 his portion with the unbelievers. The earth. It is still the same train of thought krrible punishment here specified was not that the Master pursues-a train which uuknown awong the ancients (Ree Hero- had been only slightly diverted by Peter's dutue, vii. 39; and Heh. ri 37). Isaiah was q ueetion. The text, so to speak, of the fuicl to have been sawn asunder. BP.ngel's whole discourse we.a •• the strange attraction eorument is curiow:" Qui cor divisum habet, which riches possess for men, and the palsy- divideiur." It has been 9ugge.sted, to bring ing effect which this attraction, when yielded tbe punishment into harmony with the state- to, exercises over the whole life." The ment immt:diately following, which speaks lllaster's argument was as follows : "Beware of a definite and, perhaps, of an enduring of covetousness ; let your attachment- to i,oeition for the guilty one, & "portion with earthly possession.a sit very lightly on you en. xn. 1-59.J Tim GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 339