Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

I trow not - I “think” not; or I “suppose” not.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Doth he thank that servant,.... As if he had done him a favour, and what he was not obliged to;

because he did the things that were commanded him? for, as a servant, he ought to do them, and in so doing does but his duty: he may indeed be commended for it, but not thanked:

I trow not; or "I think not"; it do not seem so to me, as if he would, or, as though it was proper and necessary he should. The Ethiopic version leaves out this last clause.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

I trow not — or, as we say, when much more is meant, “I should think not.”

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Does he thank? (μη εχει χαριν — mē echei chariṉ). Μη — Mē expects the negative answer. Εχω χαριν — Echō charin to have gratitude toward one, is an old Greek idiom (1 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:3; Hebrews 12:28).

Vincent's Word Studies

I trow not

Omitted by the best texts.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Doth he thank that servant — Does he account himself obliged to him?

Abbott's Illustrated New Testament

Trow; think.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Ver. 9. Doth he thank that servant] God owes us no thanks; and yet of his grace he even thanks us, and thinks himself beholden to us. See 1 Peter 2:19. {See Trapp on "1 Peter 2:19"} See also Luke 6:34. This is dignatio stupenda, a wonderful condescension.

Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary

9.] Our Lord is not laying down rules for the behaviour of an earthly master to his servants,—but (see above) is speaking of the rightful state of relation between us, and Him whose we are, and whom we serve.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

Luke 17:9. ἐποίησε, he did) viz. in “plowing, or feeding cattle,” Luke 17:7.— οὐ δοκῶ) [“I trow not,” I rather think not] ΄είωσις.(182)

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

See Poole on "Luke 17:8"

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

I trow not; think not.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

“Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded?”

Indeed this is so much so that the servant will not even expect to be thanked. He will recognise his place. He is merely doing what as a servant is his duty. It was a generally held view that servants must be kept in their place. But while we should certainly thank those who serve us in any way, it is perfectly reasonable to suggest that we do not deserve God’s thanks. For He is our Creator and Redeemer, and all the gratitude is due from our side. The wonder is that He uses our frail services in the accomplishment of His mighty purposes. After all He could just as well achieve them without us. So we not only do no more than it is our duty to do, but our success is also wholly due to His gracious working.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9.Doth he thank that servant—The words of the original would rather be, Is he under obligations of gratitude to that servant? Courtesy may express a feeling of approbation, and the Lord may graciously commend when nothing but mere duty is in fact done.

I trow not—The word trow is an old English term, etymologically related to true, and signifies to hold to be true, or to believe.

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Luke 17:9. Doth he thank, etc. Then it was not the custom to do so; and that it is so now is owing solely to the influence of the religion of Christ. On the former fact the illustration is based, from the latter we infer that our Lord is not saying what ought to be done by an earthly master. God is never bound to thank us for our service, as an earthly master might be, and the whole parable is directed against our choosing to remain in the relation of servants instead of accepting that of sons. If we want wages for our work, then we are servants.

The Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 17:9_{. , he does not thank him, does he? the service taken as a matter of course, all in the day’s work.}

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

I trow not = I think not.

not. Greek. ou. App-105.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not, [ ou (Greek #3756) dokoo (Greek #1380)] - or as we say, when much more is meant, 'I presume not,' or 'I should think not.'

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) Doth he thank that servant . .?—The words are spoken, of course, from the standpoint of the old relations between the master and the slave, not from that of those who recognise that master and slave are alike children of the same Father and servants of the same Master. In order to understand their bearing, we must remember how the subtle poison of self-righteousness was creeping in, even into the souls of the disciples, leading them to ask, “What shall we have therefore?” (Matthew 19:19), and to ask for high places in His kingdom (Matthew 20:21).