Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Summary:
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Matthew 18:23-35 illustrates the kingdom of heaven through a king who forgives an enormous debt of one servant, symbolizing God’s boundless mercy towards repentant sinners. However, this servant fails to extend the same mercy to a fellow servant owing a significantly smaller amount and instead punishes him harshly. When the king learns of this, he condemns the unforgiving servant, emphasizing the severe consequences of failing to show mercy after receiving it. This narrative underscores the imperative for believers to emulate God’s forgiveness towards others, warning that failure to do so results in divine discipline. The analysis connects this message with other biblical teachings and parables, underscoring the importance of forgiveness as a fundamental Christian duty and the eternal and temporal implications of adhering to or neglecting this principle.
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:23-35: “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Analysis of the Parable
The “enemies list” was a tally of political opponents made famous by the Nixon administration. The phrase is now used as shorthand to refer to future vindication of perceived wrongs and personal grievances. Unlike a “bucket list,” which is a detail of the experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime, an “enemies list” is a reckoning for revenge. Nothing is more diametrically opposed to payback than “forgiveness.” In fact, those who adopt an enemies list would consider forgiveness as a show of weakness.
Yet God has an enemies list.
How can that be?
James 4:4 makes this clear, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Notice that man is making the choice. Apparently, my body, my choice has eternal consequences. Choosing friendship and acceptance of the world over friendship and acceptance of God will result in enmity with God. That, according to James 4:4.
Yet God offers forgiveness as Romans 5:10 states, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son…”
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates several concepts related to mercy, forgiveness, and the failure to extend mercy and forgiveness to others. As such we discover:
- The king’s forgiveness of an enormous debt symbolizes God’s boundless grace and mercy towards sinners who repent and believe.
- The unforgiving servant’s behavior demonstrates a failure to understand or internalize the grace received and highlights the believers’ responsibility to imitate God’s forgiveness.
- Finally, the servant’s punishment shows that those who receive God’s mercy are expected to reciprocate while failing to do so carries serious spiritual consequences.
A number of parables also deal with this subject of forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates a father’s forgiveness towards his repentant son, emphasizing God’s eagerness to forgive the remorseful sinner. The Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:41-43) is a shortened version of the Unforgiving Servant that illustrates how a person acquitted of a more significant debt will love more, further demonstrating the relationship between forgiveness and gratitude. Finally, the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) focuses on love and mercy towards others while emphasizing the moral imperative to act compassionately and aligning the principles of forgiveness and compassion.
We have often discussed the sovereignty of God’s work in salvation. In reality, salvation is a reconciliation—as the Bible states, “while we were enemies.” The God of the universe reaches down to a repentant believer and forgives their sins—not just past digressions, but wrongs past, present, and future. And, just as salvation is never a work of man, future sins never impact the salvific result with God. It will, however, affect one’s relationship with God.
If believers can’t lose their salvation, what are the consequences of not forgiving others? Hebrews 12:6 addresses this: “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.”
Additionally, the Book of James discusses the trials and struggles that believers will face. James states that trials should be viewed as opportunities for growth and perseverance. In James 1:2-4 it says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Additionally, James 1:12 notes, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James emphasizes that these trials serve a purpose in strengthening faith, building endurance, and ultimately leading to spiritual maturity. He encourages believers to remain steadfast and to see trials as a path to greater completeness and fulfillment in their faith journey. All true believers will face trials, and while some are normal models of growth, other trials result from disobedience and sin. As a perfect father, God knows what trials will best mature His children.
Salvation completely changes a person. We think of Christianity as an affiliation, yet it’s really a transformation. Thus, believers are to forgive their enemies—one of the hardest things to do in life.
Lest you think there is no justice, Romans 12:19 promises ultimate justice when it states, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
As a believer, I can and must forgive, but I also understand that God is ultimately a faithful avenger of justice.
