Luke 17:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A master does not owe special thanks to a servant for doing what was commanded; "I trow not" means "I think not."
What Does Luke 17:9 Mean?
Jesus presses the parable to its point with a question, and the old phrase "I trow not" gives the obvious answer: I think not. In that world a servant doing assigned work earned no extra favor, for he had only paid what he owed.
The word translated "thank" is the Bible's word for grace: the master is not put in the servant's debt. So it is between us and God. Our best obedience pays an existing debt of love; it never makes God our debtor. This frees the disciple from the exhausting arithmetic of merit. We serve a good Master gladly, and all He gives comes as gift, never as wage.
Luke 17:9 in the Original Language
charis (χάρις), 'thank' -- the word for grace; favor that is never owed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 17:9
What does Luke 17:9 mean?
A master does not owe special thanks to a servant for doing what was commanded; "I trow not" means "I think not."