The Faithful & Wise Servant

The word “Faithful” in the Gospels - Part 2:

In Part 1 we examined the teaching of the word “pistos,” translated “faithful” where it is used 7 times in 4 different passages in Matthew and Luke. It is used once each in 2 passages indicating that the faithful and wise servant is one who is constantly waiting and watching for his master's return, Matthew 24:45 - 5145 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

& Luke 12:41 - 4841 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

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.

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.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. 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.

41 Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?

42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

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.

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.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. 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.

and 5 times in 2 passages indicating the faithful and wise servant is also one who is diligent by doing something to invest and increase that with which he is entrusted by his master, Matthew 25:14 - 3014 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 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.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 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.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, 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.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

& Luke 19:15 - 2815 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.

16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.

17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:

21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.

22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?

24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.

25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)

26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.

27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

28 And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.

. All four passages also teach that the servant who is not faithful is bound for eternal damnation in Hell.

In this study we turn to Luke 16:88 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

- 138 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

where we find the word “pisto” translated “faithful” used 4 times. The context is Jesus' parable of the steward and the rich man, Luke 16:1 - 131 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

. In total, the teaching here appears to indicate that the rich man praises the steward for selling him short, which on the surface is incongruous. Dr. Charles F. Baker in his book “Understanding the Gospels” writes (on page 179) that “Alford in the Greek Testament states: No parable in the Gospels has been the subject of so much controversy as this.” Baker goes on to write: “The main problem concerns the commendation of this unjust steward by his master.” However George Williams in his “The Student's Commentary” (pages 764 - 765) may express an understanding of this parable in the context of the entire passage and thus some reference is taken from his comments in the following remarks.

First we note Jesus states that worldly men (unbelievers) are more alive to their earthly interests than believers (Christians) are to their heavenly interests, Luke 16:8b. (I have found this to be true with some exceptions. In general it must be said that the work and effort in business of people who care nothing about the Lordship of Jesus Christ and what He did to secure eternal life for mankind far outweighs the efforts of so called Christians to honor the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives. In the case of many Christians it may take years for others to learn they are indeed believers because they keep their beliefs “under wrap” so to speak.)

Jesus then said: “And I say unto you, make to yourself friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” Luke 16:99 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

- King James translation. Young's literal Translation of this verse is the same as the King James except the last phrase is translated: “...they may receive you to the age-during tabernacles.” The first part of this verse in Darby's translation is also the same but the last phrase reads: “...that when it fails he may be received into the eternal tabernacles.” George Williams, in his “Students Commentary” (page 764) explains this verse to mean that: “Friends are to be made by means of that which usually is an instrument of unrighteousness, (money, the love of which is the root of all forms of evil, 1 Tim. 6:10) i.e., Christian people are to do good with money, to spend it on others and not on themselves, and so will their enjoyment of heaven be the greater.” We must consider that in the context of this verse Jesus was addressing the Nation of Israel (they have been set aside for a some after having rejected Him as explained in Romans 9, 10 & 11) and He was addressing those of Israel who will be living during the future Great Tribulation. He is teaching what they are to do with their lives here on earth to fit themselves for His Kingdom by telling them that earthly riches are not to be used selfishly for the present but with His Kingdom in view.

In Luke 16:10 - 1210 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Jesus teaches that if the Jew to whom this is written is faithful with little then he can be judged to be faithful with much and if he is unjust in the least he will be unjust in much, verse 10. He goes on to explain: “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, (the riches and/or money of this world, which is fleeting and temporary) who will commit to your trust the true riches?” verse 11. “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” Verse 12. When He speaks of “that which is another man's” He is referring to that which God entrusted to Israel, about which they were fully aware at that time. That which was entrusted to Israel is explained clearly for us later by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans: “Who are the Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Romans 9:4 & 54 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

. So, in Luke 16:1212 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

Jesus asked the Jews rhetorically, if you haven't been faithful with the things God has entrusted you with up until now, how can He give you things of the Kingdom?

Then Jesus drives His point home in Luke 16:1313 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

, telling them they cannot serve both God and their riches for they must love one and hate the other. All this was clear and understandable to those to whom He spoke as we see in the next verse. The Pharisees, who were covetous of their riches were listening to what He was saying and His words pricked their consciences because they took exception and derided Him, see verse 14. Jesus answered them in verses 15 - 31, which culminates in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus who went to Abraham's bosom, while the rich man went to hell.

To recap the point of this passage, Jesus' words are directed to both the Jews living at His time, as well as to those who will be living after the age of Grace in which we live today is culminated in the rapture, when the Body of Christ is taken home to the Lord. (As already noted, the first part of the book of Acts records how the Nation of Israel as a whole rejected their Messiah. The Apostle Paul's explains this in Romans 9, 10 and 11. God has been dealing with The Body of Christ for the last 2000 years and that Body has been and is made up of both Jews and Gentiles.) After the rapture of Christ's Body, and as the Great Tribulation approaches and engulfs the world, one of the ways the Jews living then will be judged for their fitness to enter the Lord's Millennial Kingdom will be on how faithful they are with their earthly belongings/ riches because they cannot serve both God and their riches at the same time.

To recap thus far, we have seen the adjective “faithful” used by Jesus Christ 11 times during His earthly ministry to teach that the:

1) Faithful and wise servant is one who is constantly waiting and watching for his master's return, Matthew 24:45 - 51 & Luke 12:41 - 48.

2) Good and faithful servant is one who is diligent by doing something to invest and increase that that with which he is entrusted by his master, Matthew 25:14 - 30 & Luke 19:15 - 28.

3) Jews will be judged for their fitness to enter that Kingdom on how faithful they are with their earthly belongings/riches because they cannot serve both God and their riches at the same time, Luke 16:8 - 138 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

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4) Those who are not faithful according to the above standards are bound for hell.

Our next study will cover the 12th and last occasion Jesus Christ used the adjective “faithful,” as recorded by the Gospel writers.