Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant,

Spoken to: 

Apostles

A long section about "the end of the world" or, more precisely, "the culmination of an era." The appearance of stability does not mean that change will not soon show up.

KJV: 

Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?​

NIV : 

Matthew 24:45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

LISTENERS HEARD: 

Anyone, because of this, is the trustworthy slave, also sensible, whom he positioned, that master, over those servants of his for the giving that nourishment on time.

MY TAKE: 

We make our living by serving others and the more people we serve, the higher our position.

GREEK (Each Word Explained Bottom of Page): 

LOST IN TRANSLATION: 

The word translated as "servant" means "slave." This is true throughout the Bible. There is another word for servant, but it is used so infrequently that it is almost confusing when it too is translated as "servant." In Judea most slaves were created by debt, just like today. The word translated as "household" is not the normal household, which is a form of the word for "house." This word here refers specifically to the servants or slaves of the household.

The word translated as "wise" is unrelated to the Greek word for "wisdom." It is from a word meaning "having good sense" so it means "sensible." Jesus on uses it and its related verb form twice each.

Jesus also uses an uncommon word that gets translated as "made ruler" and "put in charge." Its meaning is more like "put in a position" or "positions." It is not an overlord role as much as one having specific responsibilities.

Jesus is describing a meritocracy of service, where the most capable people are in charge of serving the others, getting them their food on time.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES: 

9
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "immediately."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "wise" is not the common word usually translated as "wise."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "whom" is not the common word usually translated as "whom."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "his" should be something more like "the."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hath" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "ruler" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "household" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "giving" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "immediately."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "wise" is not the common word usually translated as "wise."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "whom" is not the common word usually translated as "whom."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "has" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
  • IW - Inserted Word -- The word "ruler" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "household" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "giving" is not shown in the English translation.

EACH WORD of KJV : 

Who  - The word translated as "who" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but in a question can mean "who" or "what."

then  - (WW) The word translated as "then" is not the usual adverb meaning "at that time." It is a particle marking a sudden change ("straight away," "next") or explaining ("for this cause") or drawing attention to a consequence of an action ("namely" "so it is true that").

is  - The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition.

a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

faithful  - The term translated as "faithful" is much closer to our general idea of having confidence or trust in people and especially their word rather than religious belief.

and  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). It appears after the word "servant" not before.

wise  - (CW) "Wise" is translated from a Greek word meaning "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent." This word appears after the word "servant."

servant,  - The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. Today, the role is closer to "employee."

whom  - (CW) The word translated as "whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause ("this one").

his -- (WW) The word translated as "his" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

lord  - The Greek word translated as "Lord," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."

hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

made  - The verb translated as "made " means to "to set down," "to be established," "to be instituted," and "to stand against."

ruler -- (IW) There is  nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "ruler" in the Greek source.

over  - The word translated as "over" means "against," "before," "by" or "on."

his -- The word translated as "his" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. This pronoun follows the noun so "of his."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

household,  - (WW) The word translated as "household" a"household of slaves," "servitude," and "slave population." It is not from the word for "household" that means all the people and property in the house.

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.  It is in the possessive form, which creates an objective form, "for the giving."

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

give - The verb translated as "to give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." Because it is an infinitive ("to give") preceded by an article, a better translation in English is "the giving" since we don't use articles with infinitives in English.Here, it comes before a version of the verb which makes it into a noun describing the action of the verb. In this case, "the granting" or "the giving."  

them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

meat  - The word translated as "meat" means "meat" but more generally "nourishment" and "nurture." Christ uses it as a play on words, abstracting the giving meat is to the general idea of nurturing.

in  - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "on."

due season?​  -  "Due season" is from a noun that means "due measure," "proportion," "season," "opportunity," "time," "exact time," "critical time," and "profit." The sense is both the right amount and the right time.

EACH WORD of NIV : 

Who  - The word translated as "who" means primarily "anything" or "anyone," but in a question can mean "who" or "what."

then  - (WW) The word translated as "then" is not the usual adverb meaning "at that time." It is a particle marking a sudden change ("straight away," "next") or explaining ("for this cause") or drawing attention to a consequence of an action ("namely" "so it is true that").

is  - The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition.

the --  The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

faithful  - The term translated as "faithful" is much closer to our general idea of having confidence or trust in people and especially their word rather than religious belief.

and  - The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). It appears after the word "servant" not before.

wise  - (CW) "Wise" is translated from a Greek word meaning "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent." This word appears after the word "servant."

servant,  - The noun translated as "servant" means "slave." It is translated as "servant" to update the Bible. Today, the role is closer to "employee."

whom  - (CW) The word translated as "whom" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun, especially a connective pronoun introducing a dependent clause ("this one").

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

master - The Greek word translated as "master ," means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."

has -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.

put -  The verb translated as "put" means to "to set down," "to be established," "to be instituted," and "to stand against."

in charge-- (IW) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "in charge" in the Greek source.

of - The word translated as "over" means "against," "before," "by" or "on."

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more. 

to give them their food at the proper time?

the servants in his household - (WW) The word translated as "household" a"household of slaves," "servitude," and "slave population." It is not from the word for "household" that means all the people and property in the house.

missing "the"  -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.  It is in the possessive form, which creates an objective form, "for the giving."

to -- This "to" is added because the infinitive form of the verb requires a "to" in English.

give - The verb translated as "to give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give." Because it is an infinitive ("to give") preceded by an article, a better translation in English is "the giving" since we don't use articles with infinitives in English.Here, it comes before a version of the verb which makes it into a noun describing the action of the verb. In this case, "the granting" or "the giving."  

them -- The word translated as "them" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English. 

meat  - The word translated as "meat" means "meat" but more generally "nourishment" and "nurture." Christ uses it as a play on words, abstracting the giving meat is to the general idea of nurturing.

in  - The word translated as "in" also means "within," "with," or "on."

due season?​  -  "Due season" is from a noun that means "due measure," "proportion," "season," "opportunity," "time," "exact time," "critical time," and "profit." The sense is both the right amount and the right time.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV : 

Τίς [252 verses](pron sg masc/fem nom) "Who" is from tis which can mean "someone," "any one," "everyone," "they [indefinite]," "many a one," "whoever," "anyone," "anything," "some sort," "some sort of," "each," "any," "the individual," "such," and so on. In a question, it can mean "who," "why," or "what."

ἄρα   5 verses ](partic) "Then" is from ara, which means "there and then," "straightway," "then," "next," "mark you!," "for this cause," "so true is it that," and "namely."

ἐστὶν [614 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." (The future form is esomai. The 3rd person present indicative is "esti.")

[821 verses](article sg neut dat)  "A" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

πιστὸς [26 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Faithful" is pistis, which means "confidence," "assurance," "trustworthiness," "credit," "a trust," "that which give confidence," and, as a character trait, "faithfulness." However, it is also in this form (adj sg masc nom) in could also be pistos, which means "liquid," "liquid medicines," and "draughts."

δοῦλος [56 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The servant" is doulos, which means a "slave," a "born bondsman," or "one made a slave."

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

φρόνιμος [9 verses](adj sg masc nom) "Wise" is phronimos, which means "in one's right mind," "showing a presence of mind," and "prudent." In Hebrew, the source word is arum, which means "crafty," "shrewd," and "sensible."

ὃν [294 verses](pron sg masc acc) "Whom" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

κατέστησεν [7 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Has made ruler" is kathistemi which means "to set down," "to bring down," "to bring into a certain state," "to make," "to be established," "to be instituted," and "to stand against."

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "His" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

κύριος (noun sg masc nom) "Lord" is from kyrios, which means "having power," "being in authority" and "being in possession of." It also means "lord," "master of the house," and "head of the family."

ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "Over" is from epi. which means "on," "upon," "at," "by," "before," "across," and "against."

τῆς [821 verses](article sg fem gen)  Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

οἰκετείας [2 verses](noun sg fem gen) "Household" is from oketeia, which means "household of slaves," "servitude," and "slave population."

αὐτοῦ [720 verses](adj sg masc gen) "His" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

τοῦ [821 verses](article sg neut gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

δοῦναι[147 verses](verb aor inf act) "To give" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."

αὐτοῖς [720 verses](adj pl masc dat) "Them" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."

τροφὴν [4 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Meat" is trophe, which means "nourishment," "food," "that which provides sustenance," "provisions," "nurture," "rearing," and "education."

ἐν [413 verses](prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with." --

καιρῷ; [21 verses](noun sg masc dat) "Due season" is kairos, which means "due measure," "proportion," "fitness," "exact time," "season," "opportunity," "time," "critical times," "advantage," and "profit."

Wordplay: 

The word translated as "has made ruler" literally means "put down" and can mean "to stand against." The word translated as "over" actually means "against" so the sense is not only that he was put over them, but against them. 

The word translated as "meat" means "meat" but more generally "nourishment" and "nurture." Christ uses it as a play on words, abstracting the giving meat is to the general idea of nurturing.

Related Verses: 

Unimportant Opinions and Imaginings: 

"Who," he said. "Because of this."

He shook one of his followers as if waking him up.

"Is the trustworthy servant, also one with a presence of mind?" he continued, flatteringly, indicating the follower who he had 'awoken'. "This one!"

He helped that follower stand up and stood him in front of the group.

"Who the master has put down against all his servants," he said, first indicating the standing follower and then the rese.

"For the purpose of giving them meat," he continued, taking up a bowl and offered it to the seated followers.

Then he stopped.

"But only the right amount at the right time," he explained.

Front Page Date: 

Oct 12 2021