MATTHEW 24:48 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;”
But if that wicked servant says to himself: my master is delayed. The wicked servant's assumption — the master is delayed — is the assumption that the unknown timing creates leisure for irresponsible behavior. The says to himself communicates the private reasoning that is not voiced publicly but governs behavior.
Church Fathers on Matthew 24:48
Though the Lord had given above a general exhortation to all in common to unwearied vigilance, yet He adds a special charge to the rulers of the people, that is, the Bishops, of watchfulness in looking for His coming. Such He calls a faithful servant, and wise master of the household, careful for the needs and interests of the people entrusted to Him.
That He says, 'Whom think ye is that faithful and wise servant,' does not imply ignorance, for even the Father we find asking a question, as that, 'Adam, where art thou?' [Gen 3:9]
Nor yet does it imply the impossibility of attaining perfect virtue, but only the difficulty.
Read all 23 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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