Luke 17:1-5
Luke 17:1 (KJB)
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that
offences will come: but woe unto him, through
whom they come!
Offences - Stumbling Block, snare, or scandal
Then Jesus pronounces a woe upon the world for the same offences. Those offences
are such as temptations to sin, false beliefs, apostasy, and anything else which
may cause someone to stumble in their Christian walk or which prevents the true
gospel from being preached. Jesus also states that because of the sinful nature
of this world, these offences are inevitable and will happen. The woe means that
eventually the world will come under judgment as a whole because it is slated to
be burned up but then Jesus also states a woe on the person who is responsible
for causing Christians to stumble or from preventing the preaching of the
Gospel. That person will appear before the White Throne Judgment Seat of Christ
and will be judged for their hatred of the Gospel.
Luke 17:2 (KJB)
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast
into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Many times the pro-life movement will use this verse as a teaching against
abortion but that is not what is in view here. When Jesus uses the term “little
children” or “little ones” it is speaking about all those who believe in Him.
(Mat 10:42 KJV) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones
a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he
shall in no wise lose his reward. In the book of John the term is also used.
(John 13:33 KJV) Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall
seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say
to you. It means every believer will eventually be vindicated if they have
suffered persecution. Jesus is stating that those who offend which means “to
cause to stumble” will be judged and sent to the lake of fire. This is why Jesus
is stating that it is better that a millstone be hung around the neck.
Millstones were very heavy and that would mean if it was tied around someone’s
neck, there would be no way they could ever come to the surface. Then Jesus
states that they should be drowned in the depths of the sea, which means the
deepest parts. Jesus is not mincing words here because He takes it very
seriously when someone not only persecutes a Christian but even if they cause
them to stumble or cause them to drift from the path of truth.
Luke 17:3 (KJB)
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and
if he repent, forgive him.
There is going to come a time or times in the life of a believer that someone is
going to trespass against us and how we handle it also reveals our spiritual
condition. When someone commits a trespass against us, we are not to allow
things to fester but we are to go to our brother privately and speak to them
about their trespass. (Gal 6:1 KJV) Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a
fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. We are to approach them
with the mindset that their fault can become our fault if we do not watch it. We
are to go to them and point out what they did wrong in meekness and not
arrogantly. If they see the error of their way, then they will confess that they
did wrongly and the relationship between the two brethren can be restored and
the breach in the body of Christ will be fixed. If a disagreement is not fixed
on this level, it can actually mushroom into a church split because sides will
be drawn and otherwise innocent parties will be brought into the dispute and
that will create a large rift in the body at that location and has the ability
to spread beyond one location. That is why it is important to try and work out
things on this level.
Luke 17:4 (KJB)
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day
turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Here Jesus focuses on the essence of Christianity and that is forgiveness. The
fact that He uses the number seven twice tells us that as Christians we must be
ready to forgive people no matter how many times they have sinned against us,
even if it is the same sin. After all, how many times do we sin against God
doing the same old sins repeatedly. We must never engage in grudges or
backbiting but should have genuine concern for a brother who consistently sins
against us. We are to accept their profession of repentance as much as seven
times a day if necessary.
Luke 17:5 (KJB)
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
The Apostles probably thought that they had lacked enough faith to be able to
forgive someone so many times, so they made a request of the Lord Jesus Christ
that He would increase their faith. It is not in man to just turn on a switch
and then get increased faith. Normally when God increases the faith of a person,
it is done by placing them in a situation which is beyond their control so they
would have to have faith in God all the while their faith is continuing to
build.