Quote:
Originally Posted by Trapped
Luke 12:46 says "with the unbelievers". I think this bolsters even more the conclusion that the wicked servant is not a believer.
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No, the greek word in Luke 12:46 is "apiston." 18 translations render it as "unbeliever", 17 other translations render it as "unfaifhtful." According to this, they could be unbelievers or unfaithful. So no, itīs not that clear. A few other translations are: "unbelieving", "who cannot be trusted", "not trustworhty", "infidelity." Trying to determine the identity of the wicked servant indirectly by looking to see who the "apiston" are is very weak. Just go directly to the description of the servant himself. Even believers that are unfaithful will be hurt by the second death. So no, not conclusive at all, no bolstering either.
You need to start with verses 45-47:
faithful and wise servant:
a believer. A slave. Unbelievers are not described as slaves or servants of the Lord.
whom the Master:
a believer. No unbeliever has Jesus as His Master (whether Jew or Gentile, 1st century or end of times).
has put in charge of his household:
a believer. The Lord would never assign an unbeliever with responsibilities in His household.
Blessed is that servant:
a believer. An unbeliever can never be described as a blessed servant of his Master, Jesus.
whose Master finds him doing so:
a believer. The Lord does not evaluate the "service" of unbelievers to Him.
when He returns:
a believer. This is the 2nd coming of Christ, reviewing His slaveīs life.
Truly I tell you, He will put him in charge of all his possessions:
a believer. Jesus rewards His faithful believers.
This is clearly in reference to a believer, who is serving the Lord, His Master, is faithful and wise in his service, and whom the Lord rewards at His second coming. The characteristic of this believer is that he is wise and faithful.
Then, it says starting in v. 48; "suppose that same servant is wicked," or "evil servant" or "if that servant is evil." It is the same servant, NOT another person. He is still a servant, it is the same believer. The difference is that he is "evil", he is not wise and faithful. Nowhere does it indicate that now itīs talking about an unbeliever or a different person. It is the same servant who now acts evily by
saying 'My master': still a believer: no unbeliever believes in Jesus, he is an unbeliever. And much less consider Him as his Master.
will be away a long time.’ :
still a believer; an unbeliever does not have any concept of the Lord being away or coming back.
And he begins to beat his fellow servants:
still a believer. Still a servant. An unbeliever does not have "fellow servants". He is mistreating other believers.
and to eat and drink with drunkards.
still a believer. Heīs hanging out with the wrong crowd, sinning.
The master:
still a believer. An unbeliever does not have Jesus as His Master.
of that servant: still a believer. He is still the servant.
will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate: still a believer. An unbeliever has no expectation of the Lordīs second coming. The Lord will not come to evaluate the life and service of unbelievers, calling them slaves.
This is clearly in reference to a believer, who is not serving the Lord, His Master, he is wicked, and whom the Lord disciplines at His second coming. The characteristic of this believer is that he is evil.
These verses depict two possible scenarios of the life of a believer. There is only one servant with a Master being evaluated at the Lordīs second coming. The operative difference is: in one case the Lord depicts him as
wise and faithful, serving His Master and in the other scenario as
evil, disregarding the Lordīs coming, mistreating other believers and living sinfully with others.
BELIEVER: wise and faithful
OR evil. You choose how you are going to live your life.