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Explanation for:
Matthew
18
:
34
And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt.
9
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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":"It is important to note that when the master, in his anger, \\"gave him to the torturers,\\" this was not stated at the time he asked for an account of the ten thousand talents. This omission illustrates that the earlier judgment stemmed not from wrath but from a desire for reconciliation, emphasizing that it was this particular sin that troubled Him most deeply. What could be more grievous than vengefulness, especially when it challenges the mercy of God that has already been revealed? The debtor's offenses, which should not have provoked such a reaction, were overshadowed by the anger directed at his fellow servant. The Scripture confirms, \\"the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable,\\" (Rom. 11:29). How is it, then, that after this grace has been bestowed and humanity revealed, the sentence is reaffirmed? It is for the sake of vengeance. Hence, he who identifies this sin as the most severe is justified: while other sins were forgiven, this particular offense not only remained unforgiven but also revived those transgressions that had previously been erased.\\n\\nNow you will understand the harm you have inflicted upon yourself. \\"And being angry, his lord delivered him to the torturers.\\" Observe that the master is now angry with the servant, handing him over to the torturers specifically because of his cruelty to his fellow. What the master had previously overlooked regarding the sizable debt, he now demands as the servant faces judgment. He \\"delivered him over to his tormentors until he had paid all his debt,\\" which means until the servant fully repaid the ten thousand talents for which he had received forgiveness. The mercy of God is profound and beyond words: when the servant was called to account and sought mercy, he was granted forgiveness; yet upon seeing his inhumane treatment of a fellow servant, he put an end to that grace, demonstrating to the debtor that he ultimately harmed not only his neighbor but himself. Just as the servant imprisoned his companion until the debt was settled, the master turned him over to the tormentors until he repaid his full debt. This parable pertains not merely to monetary debts but symbolizes our sins and the burden of our iniquities. It reveals that we, despite being guilty of countless offenses before the Lord, receive His forgiveness through His boundless compassion. However, if we act cruelly towards our neighbors, who share in our humanity, and refuse to pardon their wrongs against us, holding onto resentment even for minor grievances (where a hundred denarii pales in comparison to ten thousand talents), we risk incurring the Lord's wrath. In that case, we will have to face the anguish of repaying what we had already been forgiven."},{"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":"...that is, eternally, for He will never revoke it. The remaining details of the parable are not meant for scrutiny; they serve to heighten its persuasive power. Take away this one lesson: our transgressions against God far exceed the offenses of our fellow human beings against us. Each individual bears a debt of ten thousand talents to God, indicating the severity and multitude of our sins, for we must endure significant and serious consequences for them. Conversely, when someone sins against us, they owe a mere one hundred denarii—an insignificant debt in comparison to the ten thousand talents. If we, burdened as we are with such immense debts to God, fail to extend grace to those who owe us, we risk nullifying the forgiveness we have previously obtained through our prayers, and ultimately, we shall face the consequences of our actions without mercy. Consider what comes next."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"To whom does he surrender himself in torment? Possibly to the agents of punishment, ensuring his perpetual suffering. For ‘until he relinquishes all that he owes’ implies that he will continue to be punished until he does so. Yet, he will never fulfill this obligation, that is, the rightful and deserved consequences, resulting in his ongoing torment."},{"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":"The anger and disappointment of God are truly fearsome! He permitted him to be subjected to relentless torment from cruel spirits, namely demons, who inflict suffering upon him. But for what duration? Until the total debt is settled. Given that the forgiveness of sins through a single act of repentance occurs, and recognizing that there is no opportunity for repentance after death, it becomes clear that the torment assigned by God for the unmerciful will be everlasting. The Lord concludes the parable with these words, directly addressing the core message of the story: In like manner also my heavenly Father will do unto you, if ye will not absolve every man from his brother's transgression out of your hearts."},{"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 conveys the important message that a person who harbors anger towards their neighbor and fails to extend forgiveness for their wrongs will not receive forgiveness from God. Furthermore, even the sins that were previously pardoned will be recalled. The merciful king forgave his servant's debt, yet due to the servant's lack of mercy towards his brother, the king reinstated the debt and handed him over to be punished until the debt was fully repaid."},{"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":"In this life, whatever you have done to him will only affect you here, yet God will condemn you to perpetual suffering in the life to come. Enraged, his master handed him over to his accusers until he settled his entire debt, which means forever, since there is no opportunity for repentance after death, and he will never be able to repay what he owes. Thus, \\"judgment without mercy to him that hath not shown mercy\\" (James 2:13). St. Chrysostom remarks that when the master commanded him to be sold, it was done without anger, and since that order was not executed, it stands as a remarkable testament to compassion; however, now a decree filled with severe indignation is established, a decree of retribution and punishment. Initially, the king dealt with him as a lender to a borrower, but now he acts as a judge towards a criminal. He is so merciful that he finds it easier to pardon offenses committed against himself than those done to others. St. John Chrysostom poses a poignant question: \\"What is more dreadful than vengefulness when it contradicts the previously revealed mercy of God? This sin cannot be forgiven and only rekindles other transgressions that have been entirely erased. There is nothing that God abhors more than vengefulness.\\" A grim destiny awaited the wrongdoer in the hands of tormentors: they extracted a confession regarding hidden treasures. Even more dreadful is the fate awaiting sinners in the depths of hell, where they face their torturers—the spirits of wickedness and the agony of despair."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"He was delivered to those who inflict suffering, or tormentors, responsible for punishing such individuals with imprisonment. The concept of torment is fundamentally akin to a form of distress found in Gehenna, as referenced in Matthew 8:29, Luke 16:23, and Revelation 14:10. The statement 'Until he has settled his debt' implies an everlasting condition, as he will be incapable of resolving his obligations. If kindness has not transformed you for the better, then correction through discipline remains."},{"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":"Whatever actions you take towards others, you will face consequences as a human in this lifetime; however, God’s judgment differs: He will subject you to greater and everlasting anguish in the life to come. He handed that individual over to tormentors until he had repaid every last cent of his debt, which equates to eternity, as he will never be able to repay what he owes. After the grace has been conferred and humanity revealed, the penalty cannot be reversed merely out of spite. It is indeed right to label this sin as perhaps the most severe of all. While other sins have been forgiven, this particular sin not only remains unforgiven, but also resurrects previously erased sins. No one evokes as much disdain from God as one who is vengeful and slow to forgive. This sentiment is particularly emphasized in His teachings, and in prayer, He instructs us to say: “and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). When recalling sins, we should focus solely on our own transgressions. By doing so, the remembrance of others' faults will fade; forgetting about their sins makes it easy for us to recall our own. If this debtor had kept the ten thousand talents in mind, he would not have fixated on the hundred denarii; however, having disregarded that larger debt, he brought upon himself the burden of many past offenses as he started to choke his friend. “My heavenly Father will do the same to you if each of you does not forgive his brother his trespasses from his heart.” \\n\\nThe parable’s lesson on the conditional nature of forgiveness, along with its insightful explanation by John Chrysostom, communicates a vital truth for our salvation. The punishment awaiting a sinner who has already received forgiveness but then transgresses again – facing consequences not just for the new sin, but also for all prior sins that have been forgiven – illustrates that the gift of forgiveness in this life is not offered unconditionally or eternally. Indeed, any forgiveness bestowed is contingent upon the individual refraining from sinning again. “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11). In doing so, your former sins will neither be held against you in this life nor at the final judgment; yet if you return to sin, you will bear the consequences for those sins that had previously been absolved and could have been permanently forgiven."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Due to this obstinacy, he lost the grace that had been extended to him and faced the full rigor of the old covenant regarding those who owe debts."}]}
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