Matthew 25:23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῦ
His
G846
αὐτοῦ
His
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
lord
G2962
κυρίου
lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῦ
His
G846
αὐτοῦ
His
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δοῦλε
servant
G1401
δοῦλε
servant
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
7 of 25
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
ὀλίγα
a few things
G3641
ὀλίγα
a few things
Strong's:
G3641
Word #:
12 of 25
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
πολλῶν
many things
G4183
πολλῶν
many things
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
16 of 25
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καταστήσω·
I will make
G2525
καταστήσω·
I will make
Strong's:
G2525
Word #:
18 of 25
to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
20 of 25
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
In Roman society, faithful slaves could be promoted to estate managers, freedmen, or even business partners. Jesus uses this familiar progression to illustrate eternal rewards: present faithfulness in small matters qualifies believers to reign with Christ in His millennial kingdom (Rev 20:6) and eternal state. The 'joy' refers to the messianic banquet (Matt 8:11, 22:1-14).
Questions for Reflection
- Does 'Well done, good and faithful servant' motivate you more than earthly applause or success?
- How are you stewarding 'few things' now to prove fitness for 'many things' in eternity?
- Do you long for entrance into Christ's joy, or are you satisfied with lesser pleasures?
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Analysis & Commentary
Well done, good and faithful servant—Eu, doule agathe kai piste (Εὖ, δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ): 'Well [done], good and faithful slave.' Agathos (ἀγαθός) denotes intrinsic moral goodness, pistos (πιστός) means trustworthy/reliable. God evaluates character, not just productivity. Note: He doesn't say 'successful' or 'talented'—He says faithful.
Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things—The principle: present faithfulness qualifies for future authority. Epi oligōn ēs pistos, epi pollōn se katastēsō (ἐπὶ ὀλίγων ἦς πιστός, ἐπὶ πολλῶν σε καταστήσω) connects earthly stewardship to eternal reward. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord—Eiselthe eis tēn charan tou kyriou sou (εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου): entrance into the master's celebration, sharing his victory feast.