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Explanation for:
Matthew
25
:
26
And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed:
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What he perceived as a justification for himself becomes his source of condemnation. However, he is also labeled as a wicked servant, an evil one, because he has spoken irreverently against the Lord. He is indolent, having failed to invest his talent, for which he is charged with pride, and also with carelessness. “If,” He says, “you acknowledge that I am stern and unyielding, reaping where I have not sown and gathering what I have not scattered, why did this knowledge not instill in you a sense of dread, making you realize that I would seek my own with greater diligence, and therefore place my money, or silver, with merchants?” In the Greek, both meanings are encompassed within the term άργύριον. The psalmist states, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times” (Psalms 11:7). Thus, money and silver symbolize the preaching of the Gospel and the Word of God, which ought to be given to merchants and moneychangers. This refers to the other teachers (for the apostles similarly equipped elders and bishops in various regions) and all believers who are capable of multiplying the treasure and returning it with gain, that is, through the practical application of their teachings. The talent is then taken from the unproductive servant and given to the one who has produced ten talents, illustrating that while both the person who turns five into ten and the one who turns two into four receive the same joy of the Lord, a greater reward should be afforded to those who labor more earnestly for the Lord's treasure. Hence, the apostle states, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in word and doctrine” (1 Tim. 5:17). From the audacity of the wicked servant’s claim, “You reap where you have not sown, and gather where you have not scattered,” we comprehend that the Lord values the virtuous lives of both Gentiles and philosophers and treats them contrastingly: those who live righteously are regarded differently than those who engage in unrighteousness, and in comparison to those who adhere to the natural law, those indifferent to the written law are judged more harshly."},{"author-name":"Gregory the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88c2b032f5f6e5effaa54_Gregory%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":6,"exegesis-text":"The servant then replied, \\"You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. Therefore, you ought to have put my money with the traders, and on my return, I would have received my own with interest.\\" The servant was ensnared by his own statements when the master declared, \\"I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered.\\" It was a way of expressing that if, as you say, I anticipate something from you that I have not provided, then how much more should I expect a return on what I have entrusted to you?"},{"author-name":"Anastasios the Sinaite","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c888f268caf48c19182221_Anastasios%20the%20Sinaite.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"What is the talent mentioned by the Lord that will ultimately be removed from the unworthy servant and bestowed upon the one who skillfully managed the five talents (Matthew 25:14-30)? Some propose that this talent refers to the Holy Spirit, which is bestowed in the Sacrament of Baptism. However, I would counter that the individual who received the five talents also possessed the Holy Spirit and did not require a second infilling of the Spirit. Generally, this parable teaches us that God frequently bestows certain gifts of healing and the ability to teach from the divinely inspired Scriptures to those who may be undeserving or even to outsiders, inspiring them to seek virtue out of shame for their unworthiness. Yet, some among them, being misguided and unable to comprehend this Divine Providence, falsely believe themselves to be righteous and assume that their gifts are a direct result of their supposed righteousness. Illumined by pride, they depart to eternal separation in the afterlife, having lost these divine gifts."},{"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":"When his master responded, he said, \\"You wicked and lazy servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not spread seed. You ought to have deposited my silver with the bankers, and upon my return, I would have received it back with interest.\\" The Lord expresses this not because He asserts what is true on His own, for apart from Him, nothing is just. Rather, He speaks conditionally, as though implying, \\"If I were indeed as you describe,\\" which is not the case. Yet, given that you have known Me in this manner, you ought to have entrusted My resources to those who discern between right and wrong (referred to here as traders). You should have sought guidance, been instructed, and taken all necessary actions on your part, leaving the outcomes to Me, specifically the demands of justice; you could have accomplished the simpler task, while leaving the more challenging aspects to Me. Lending serves as a means of teaching, and the benefit derived from such lending is the increase of virtues. The gain manifests as any general good gained through communal living with others."},{"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 merchants, often referred to as money changers, are those who facilitate the exchange of currency, such as converting gold into silver or copper, thus earning personal gain and benefiting the owners of the funds (Matthew 21:12). In this context, traders can also depict those who act in charitable ways (Mark 11:15). Similar to traders, who utilize the funds they receive and generate profit for those who have entrusted them with their wealth (John 2:15). If you thoroughly examine the commandments of our Lord Jesus, you may discover that they are less challenging than presumed. They may appear daunting to the impassioned, to the reckless, or to those who lack proper discernment. However, despite their perceived difficulty, it is the type of challenge that countless righteous individuals and saints have successfully faced. The commands may be hard, yet the Creator has every right to expect us to undertake difficult tasks. Our God, who guides us through every trial, pours forth His grace even in struggle and prepares a reward beyond measure for our efforts, “which the eye hath not seen, neither the ear heard, neither come upon the heart of man” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Regarding the second point, we clarify that the God-Man did not merely offer advice but issued commands. When He gave His redemptive guidance, He expressed: “If thou canst contain, let him contain”; and: “If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell thy possessions, and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:12, 21). However, when He delivered commands, He asserted with authority, “But I say to you” (Matthew 19:23, 28). Those who do not heed His sacred instructions face no penalty, yet for those who transgress these commands, He indicated their participation in judgment and eternal fire. How can we claim they are not commandments when He unequivocally referred to them as such, stating: “If any man break one of the least of these commandments, and teach men so, he shall be called a fool in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19)? All these commandments, particularly the two greatest, upon which “the whole law and the Prophets hang” (Matthew 22:40), focus solely on fulfilling the love of God and neighbor. These encompass the commandments of the Mosaic Law, which are enhanced and brought to perfection by our Lord Jesus Christ, who affirmed, “Do not think that I have come to destroy the law, or the Prophets; I have not come to destroy it, but to fulfill it” (Matthew 5:17). Thus, those who disregard them as mere advice are sinning and wrongly assuaging their conscience. \\n\\nIn response to the third point, there is no doubt that repentance erases all transgressions, and no sin can overcome God’s boundless mercy: “And if your sins be as scarlet, as snow I will blot out: but if they be as scarlet, as a wave I will blot out” (Isaiah 1:18); yet, repentance devoid of humility and a contrite heart is not true repentance. He who regards his sins as insignificant lacks humility and contrition. Even minor sins, such as those about which the Apostle John wrote, and concerning which there is “sin not unto death” (1 John 5:16), should not excuse us. Can we even attempt to apologize to God for sins that do not lead to death? What sin is trivial compared to idle chatter? The Lord also remarked on this: “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgement” (Matthew 12:36). What defense will you have on the Day of Judgment when questioned about why you provoked your neighbor for no reason? Why did you slander your brother? Why have you presented offerings to God without reconciling with those who have wronged you? Why have you sullied your soul with wicked desires? Why have you unlawfully abandoned your spouse? Why have you broken an oath daily? Why have you contravened even the smallest commandment? Before such a stern Judge, excuses will hold no validity, petitions will be of no use, offerings will remain unseen and unheard, mercy will be withheld, and justice alone will prevail. And what of repentance? Genuine repentance and heartfelt confession rectify all sins. When you repent, do not consider your sins as minor or insignificant; rather, beat your breast like the tax collector and humble your heart as the sinful woman did, weeping bitterly, knowing the torment: “And thou shalt cast the unregenerate servant into the darkness beyond, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The servant who buried his talent is deemed unworthy by both God and man, causing the angels to cast him far from divine presence. Separation from God brings profound darkness, due to the absence of divine light, which is God. It entails inconsolable weeping born from unending grief and indescribable gnashing of teeth due to fierce afflictions."},{"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":"In this parable, the individual journeying to a distant land represents the Lord Jesus Christ, who, upon completing His redemptive mission on earth, ascended to the Father in heaven. The servants, each receiving different amounts of talents from their master, symbolize believers in Christ. Each believer is entrusted by the Lord with various spiritual and material gifts, which they are called to utilize for the true benefit of themselves, their neighbors, and ultimately for the glory of God. These gifts, which include resources, knowledge, and especially the empowering gifts of the Holy Spirit, are distributed according to each person's abilities. The Lord bestows gifts proportionate to one's capacity, encouraging each individual to use their talents productively for their own good and that of others, thereby serving God.\\n\\nEvery servant of the Lord will receive rewards based on their faithfulness, which is measured not by the quantity of gifts received, but by their diligence, zeal, and the good they have accomplished through those gifts in their lifetime. It is essential to realize that even the smallest of gifts brings no excuse before God if it is not employed for the betterment of oneself and one’s neighbors, nor for God’s purposes. The judgment of Christ will address not only the improper use of God-given gifts but also their fruitless squandering through negligence and indolence, which often seeks to justify itself with excuses."},{"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":"The servant uncovered his deception in that he attempted to mislead his master by citing a false justification for burying his talent. This act of deceit also revealed the servant's wickedness as he wrongly attributed to his master qualities that are completely absent from him—namely, cruelty and greed, along with violence and avarice. When referred to as ‘lazy,’ the servant exposed his own sloth through his refusal to utilize the talent entrusted to him. The phrase ‘You knew,’ etc., indicates that the master does not affirm the servant’s claims about him, but instead seeks to condemn him using the servant’s own words. The implication is clear: if you truly believe I am unkind, reaping where I have not sown and gathering where I have not scattered, then, at the very least, out of fear of the severe consequences I might impose, you should have taken the initiative to invest what was given to you rather than bury it."},{"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":"The LORD delivered His just verdict upon the slothful and insolent servant. His LORD responded to him, saying, “You wicked and lazy servant! You are wicked because you justify yourself by speaking ill of me and attempting to deceive me with falsehoods. You are lazy, as your actions clearly demonstrate. I will hold you accountable for your own words: You know that I harvest where I have not planted and gather where I have not sown. Let me be as you perceive me: stern, demanding, unyielding. Yet, you were still bound to fulfill my will. Even if not out of love and loyalty as others do, you should have had enough fear of the severe consequences I could impose upon you, and fulfilling my will would pose no risk or danger to yourself.”"},{"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":"However, there is another aspect to consider: “The one who had received the talent approached and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, harvesting where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter; and I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground; here is what belongs to you.’ These audacious words reveal the displeasure of the indolent servant, who feared the consequences of his own negligence. He is guilty, yet he feels wronged. The time given to him, along with his understanding and strength, was wasted. All these resources belong to his master, but he failed to utilize them even slightly. If he genuinely believed he was dealing with a harsh man, it would have been even more imperative for him to work diligently. What right did he have to speak of the master in such a manner, especially when the master had favored him by entrusting him with the talent? Moreover, the master had already demonstrated his generosity to the other two servants, who had been faithful and industrious. Thus, it was unjust for him to accuse his master of cruelty and selfishness. Therefore, it was entirely appropriate for the master to immediately deliver his severe judgment: ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter; then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest.’ The servant committed two offenses: in his malice, he defamed his master by labeling him cruel, and out of laziness, he failed to utilize the time allotted to him to increase the silver that had been entrusted to him. Consequently, he faced the punishment he rightfully earned."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"No matter how modest a gift may be, it deserves attention. There will be accountability not only for the loss incurred but also for failing to utilize it in one’s endeavors, for neglecting to multiply even a single talent. This is elaborated further in the parable of the minas (see Lk. 19)."}]}
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