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Explanation for:
Matthew
18
:
33
Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Vindictiveness is a profound evil, for it has no justification in the sight of God. Even when our other transgressions are absolved, this sin can reawaken and turn against us, as demonstrated in this passage. Nothing is more detested by God than a person who harbors resentment and acts out of anger. This truth is evident, and in our prayers, He instructs us to say, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” Matthew 6:12.\\n\\nHow can you expect to be forgiven when I, your master, absolved you of such an enormous debt based on your pleas (Matthew 18:26), yet you showed no mercy to your fellow man and lacked compassion for him? You failed to remember the grace I afforded you but instead were harsh and unyielding, choosing not to extend mercy to those around you."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Let us also, who lack compassion, take heed and be afraid, recognizing that we completely condemn ourselves by rejecting the grace of God that was once offered to us, thus inviting upon ourselves eternal punishment."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"When He takes His seat to judge both the living and the dead, He will call forth those who acted without mercy, and He will deliver a rebuke from which they cannot respond. He will address the vile servant, saying: ‘I listened to your prayers when you turned from many of your wrongdoings: should you not have also heeded the prayers of your nephew and shown him compassion, just as I demonstrated compassion toward you? Yet, following this admonition, wrath and everlasting torment will ensue."},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"This parable signifies that a person who harbors anger towards a neighbor and fails to extend forgiveness will not only find that their own sins remain unforgiven by God, but also that previous sins, which had been pardoned, will be recalled. The merciful king, who had previously absolved the debtor of his obligation, chose to reinstate the debt due to the debtor's lack of compassion towards his brother, subsequently handing him over to the tormentors for the suffering of his obligation."},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The one who owes a debt holds deep affection for the one who lends, viewing them as a merciful benefactor. This debtor remains thankful throughout life and carries a remembrance of that kindness even until their last breath. Similarly, a sinner aware of God's immense mercy reciprocates with heartfelt love, offering genuine thanks and cherishing this divine grace even unto death. True gratitude embodies the remembrance of kindness received. Where such memories are present, there gratitude flourishes. Conversely, neglecting to acknowledge benevolence gives rise to ingratitude. A debtor who recognizes the mercy bestowed by the lender is compelled to extend mercy to others should they be in debt themselves, thereby releasing their obligations—this exemplifies the character of a truly grateful individual. In parallel, a Christian moved by appreciation and kindness, upon recognizing God's mercy and the forgiveness of their own sins, is also inclined to show mercy to others and forgive their transgressions.\\n\\nHowever, a wicked debtor, when faced with a request for repayment, refuses to forgive their own debtor. This results in justified anger from the lender, leading the debtor to once again find themselves in debt, just as they were before. Likewise, the ungrateful and wicked Christian, despite experiencing God's immense mercy and the absolution of significant sins, remains unwilling to overlook even minor offenses committed by others. These minor infractions pale in comparison to the enormity of humanity's transgressions against God. In doing so, the individual invites the righteous wrath of their Creator and, through their actions, becomes an even greater debtor than they were initially. \\n\\nBelievers are encouraged to reflect on the parable of the king and his debtor to grasp the severity and peril of harboring anger and seeking revenge against others (Matthew 18:23-35). The safest course is to forgive, while failure to do so leads to grave consequences. “For judgement is without mercy to him who has not shown mercy” (James 2:13). God's goodness encompasses the mercy extended to all of us, evident not merely daily but also hourly. Yet, when a person, despite receiving God's mercy, refuses to extend the same compassion to their fellow human, that divine mercy is revoked, akin to how an ungrateful and wicked servant is treated. Consequently, instead of experiencing mercy, they become subject to God's just judgement, facing accountability for all their actions throughout their life.\\n\\nAs believers, we recognize the grave repercussions of withholding forgiveness and seeking retribution against others. The king reproaches the slave to whom he had forgiven a hefty debt: “I forgave you the entire debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you have shown mercy to your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?” This echoes the sentiments of the heavenly King directed toward the Christian who fails to exhibit compassion to their neighbor. Angered, the sovereign delivers the unmerciful debtor to tormentors until they settle their full debt. Thus concludes Christ’s parable: “So will my heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother his trespasses from his heart” (Matthew 18:32-35)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Shouldn't you, motivated by gratitude for my forgiveness, the joy of being set free, compassion for your struggling fellow man, or even simple worldly reasoning, have offered forgiveness to your brother just as I have extended forgiveness to you? If you were unwilling to forgive him the debt as I have forgiven you, at the very least, you could have waited for him to be able to repay it. Endure your own harshness! While it may feel difficult to forgive a debt, consider the reward it might bring from me. Additionally, your companion has not offended you; rather, you have trespassed against God, who has forgiven you based solely on your request. Even if he wronged you, and even if it is uncomfortable for you to maintain a friendship with him, remember that it is far worse for you to face eternal separation. If my grace has not improved your heart, the next step is to address you through consequences. You are stifling mercy within your own soul, thus leaving no space for my grace. \\n\\nConsider once more the gentleness of the sovereign; as St. Chrysostom points out, he pursues his servant, seemingly as though defending himself, seeking to undermine the gift he has given. When the servant owed an immense sum, the sovereign did not label him wicked nor did he lay blame, but instead forgave him. Yet, as soon as the servant acted unkindly towards his fellow servant, the sovereign declared, “Wicked servant, pay attention, all of you who are unjust; this message is for you—understand you are not merely cruel to others, but ultimately to yourselves. When you hold onto anger, recognize that it is you who suffers, not your neighbor, as you burden yourself with sin rather than them."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon witnessing this, his associates were incensed and reported it to their master. When the master learned of this, he summoned the servant back to his presence and said, “Wicked servant, I have released you from all that debt because you pleaded with me; should you not also have shown mercy to your fellow servant, just as I showed mercy to you?” - Listen, you thieves! Listen, you heartless and merciless! You are not only cruel to others but to yourselves as well. When you nurture anger, understand that it is you who bears it, not another, thus weighing yourself down with transgressions rather than your neighbor!"},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Christ's guidance emphasizes the imperative to utilize every effort to bring the lost to a path of salvation, advising that excommunication from the church should only occur following their persistent disobedience, yet they are to be welcomed back into fellowship upon true repentance. This directive may not be entirely clear to Peter, who questions whether there are limits to forgiveness for those who offend. He recalls the Jewish rabbinic teaching that forgiveness should be extended three times but feels compelled to propose a greater measure, suggesting seven times instead. In response, Christ instructs Peter to forgive infinitely. As it pertains to those who wrong the church, the requirement is to grant forgiveness repeatedly, contingent upon genuine repentance. However, with regard to personal transgressors—which was the focus of Peter's inquiry—this command from Christ must be regarded without condition."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The following passage recounts a sequence of events and teachings that epitomize the conclusion of Jesus Christ’s ministry in Galilee. From His journey to Caesarea, highlighted by the inquiry, 'Who do men say that I am?' to the lessons on avoiding temptation and the parable of the Son of Man reclaiming the lost, all these elements are closely interwoven (18:15-20, 21-35). Additionally, the Gospel writer Matthew includes guidance on addressing those who offend—both when the offender refuses to acknowledge their wrongdoing and when they do recognize it and seek forgiveness. In the first instance, a series of escalating steps is proposed to help the offender regain perspective; in the latter, the call is for limitless forgiveness. It is uncertain whether the Lord shared these teachings simultaneously with the preceding discourse. Nonetheless, considering the Lord's earlier statements, alongside the interactions among the Apostles, a connection might be discerned. However, neither St. Luke nor St. Mark record this dialogue during the current event. This teaching partially clarifies when the Apostles should exercise their authority to bind and decide, while also illustrating an elevated quality of the Christian spirit in relation to others—self-humiliation being the first attribute, followed by carefulness not to lead others astray. Thus, the internal coherence of these instructions remains intact, although their external historical context is less clear from the brief mention of the Apostles' dispute. As we depart from the Galilean region, it is important to note that we remain unaware of certain events that transpired there. The circumstances in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—which prompted such severe admonitions from the Lord (Luke 10:13-15)—are not recorded."},{"author-name":"Strannik (Journal)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The lesson conveyed in this parable underscores that individuals who refuse to extend mercy to others cannot anticipate receiving mercy from God. Who does the first servant represent? This figure symbolizes a sinner who is beginning to recognize the peril of his state and is fearful of punishment, yet still clings to the hope of being saved through his own efforts. What does he declare? He asks for patience, promising to repay everything. Is he capable of fulfilling this promise? No, the magnitude of his debt is far too vast. How does the king respond? Moved by compassion, the king absolves the servant’s debt. What overarching principle can we derive from this? That God, because of the righteousness of His dearly beloved Son, is inclined to forgive those who sincerely repent. What can we learn from the stark contrast between a hundred denarii and ten thousand talents? It illustrates that the wrongs we commit against others pale in comparison to our transgressions against God. What does the cruel behavior of the first servant toward his fellow servant reveal? It indicates that his heart underwent no transformation. What lesson is imparted by his punishment? It teaches that a hardened heart is a serious offense and that God administers severe consequences for such hardheartedness, even when it is directed toward those who have wronged us. Overall, this parable reminds us to humbly seek God's forgiveness for our sins, for the sake of Jesus Christ, and to respond with patience and kindness to all who may have wronged or offended us. \\n\\nFor your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Psalm 24:11 \\nFor I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more. Heb. 8:12 \\nAnd forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 \\nBut if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt. 6:15 \\nFor judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. James 2:13 \\nLove your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you. Matthew 5:44 \\nAnd be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:32."},{"author-name":"Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896ffb7a2ebaf99e46539_Philaret%20of%20Moscow%20(Drosdow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"What has our heavenly Father bestowed upon us? Oh, so much! More than countless treasures! He granted us existence and life, both body and spirit, intellect, emotion, and senses; He blessed us with the earth beneath our feet and the majestic canopy of the heavens above; He provided the sun for our sight and sustenance, the air for our breath; He entrusted us with dominion over animals and provided the resources of the earth for our needs and joys, for nourishment, clothing, shelter, and the opportunity to create both useful and delightful things. If one were to suggest it is too arrogant to believe that the earth, the sun, and the sky exist for our benefit, I would respond: if approached from a place of pride, I encourage you to set aside that pride and instead consider with humility and gratitude the generosity of God, recognizing that even thoughts marred by pride do not cease to reflect truth. You might argue that the earth, sun, and sky are not solely for your use, nor only for humanity, but also for countless other creatures; my response is this: it is all the more wondrous and vast that despite their use by many beings, you have them in such a way that they are perfectly suited to your own needs. Try to imagine a life detached from the earth, sun, and sky, and if you can achieve this, then perhaps you might think yourself ungrateful to God for such gifts; but if you find this impossible, realize that every beam of sunlight that warms or illuminates you, every breath of air you take, is a continual loan from God's bounty—a loan that is ever-renewable, thus eternally unpaid. But do we only borrow from the treasures of creation? How generously the All-Bountiful Provider shares from the storehouses of His providence, granting us daily strength and abilities, support and assistance in every good endeavor, resources and provisions for a life of comfort and prosperity, loving parents, wise teachers, a fair and benevolent ruler, public safety, success in our efforts, and unseen deliverance from troubles, when it is clear that ‘the salvation of man is vanity’ (Psalm 59:13). What can we say of God's most precious and even more immeasurable gift of grace? To us sinners, who dwell in darkness and despair, the Lord has bestowed the light of faith and the hope of salvation; He has redeemed us from eternal death, a fate we chose through our sins, with the sacrifice of His only Son; He has imparted His Holy Spirit to us, offered us the baptism of rebirth, and the everlasting nourishment of the body and blood of Christ, serving as a seal, a beginning, and a precept of eternal and blessed life. Oh, if only we could recognize ourselves as eternal debtors to God, for His favors toward us are countless and everlasting! Yet this is not the entirety of our indebtedness. We bear new debts to God that weigh heavily upon us and bring us low; these debts arise from the ways we misuse what we have borrowed, neglecting to repay the Great Benefactor, or to assist our fellow man in His stead. Do we consistently offer God the glory He deserves, heartfelt gratitude, prayer, love toward our neighbors, compassion to the poor, and assistance to the needy? Do we diligently employ the talents we have been given—do we spend our time on fruitful, or at least innocent, pursuits, seek truth with our minds, direct our hearts toward righteousness, and cultivate feelings of temperance and purity? Can we honestly boast that we fulfill our responsibilities in these areas? (Dan. 9:7)! Therefore, dear brethren, let us humbly reflect on what the Lord’s parable calls a meager debt of ‘a hundred pennies’—the grievances of our neighbors, their wrongs against us, and the slights we endure from them. How minuscule and trivial such offenses are when contrasted with our own debts to the Almighty! If someone has slighted our honor, we might hardly notice if we are preoccupied with the weighty thought of how often we fail to extend due honor and glory to our infinitely good God. If a neighbor acts unjustly toward us, bearing it and forgiving is not overly difficult if we remember that God permits it, before whom we have so frequently and so grievously erred. He who does not forget that, by infinite mercy, he is spared from eternal condemnation finds it hard to hold onto grievances against his neighbor out of self-interest or pride. But if, to our shame, we Christians forget our own faults and do not extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us, let us swiftly remind ourselves that the King of Heaven sees all; that our own conscience, an ever-present witness, bears testimony against us before Him and will continue to do so; that a day will come when the Longsuffering One will ‘make straight the paths of His wrath’ (Psalm 77:50), delineating the path of His justice; that the rebuke of the heavenly Judge, which we now hear and which can serve as a means for correction and salvation, will ultimately stand unheeded in our souls as an instrument of condemnation and judgment: ‘Is it not fitting that thou shouldest have mercy on thy neighbor, as I also have mercy on thee?’"}]}
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