“So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 17:10 Mean?
After teaching about the obligation of servants to complete their duties, Jesus applies the principle to His disciples: when you've done everything commanded, say "We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Complete obedience—doing everything commanded—still doesn't produce profit for the master. It just fulfills the baseline expectation.
The word "unprofitable" (achreioi) means useless, without special merit, not deserving of extra credit. Jesus isn't saying the servants are worthless—He's saying their complete obedience doesn't exceed the minimum requirement. A servant who does everything told is simply a servant who has done their job. There's no bonus. No special commendation. No "above and beyond." Just: duty completed.
This teaching demolishes the entire merit-based approach to God. Even if you could obey every command perfectly (you can't), the perfect obedience would only produce what was already required. You can't generate surplus righteousness. You can't build up a credit balance with God through exceptional performance. At your absolute best, you've done your duty. Nothing more.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does the idea of being an 'unprofitable servant' after perfect obedience deflate you or free you? Why?
- 2.If even your best performance only produces 'duty done,' what is your value to God actually based on?
- 3.How does this verse dismantle spiritual pride—the feeling that your obedience has earned you something extra?
- 4.If the 'profitable servant' doesn't exist, how does that change the way you relate to God—from earning to receiving?
Devotional
You did everything you were told. Every command. Every instruction. Perfect obedience across the board. And Jesus says: say 'we are unprofitable servants.' You haven't earned anything extra. You've just done your job.
This is one of the most deflating teachings in the Gospels—and one of the most liberating. Deflating because it eliminates the possibility of spiritual overachievement. You can't earn bonus points with God. You can't build up credit through exceptional obedience. At your absolute best—assuming perfect compliance, which is already impossible—you've simply met the baseline. Duty done. Nothing more.
Liberating because it takes the pressure off performance. If even perfect obedience produces only "duty fulfilled" status, then your value to God clearly isn't based on your performance. He doesn't love you because you've exceeded expectations. You can't exceed them. The expectations, perfectly met, only produce what was required. Your worth in God's economy must come from somewhere other than your obedience—which is exactly what grace provides.
This verse destroys spiritual pride from the roots. The person who has been exceptionally obedient has nothing to boast about. They've done their duty. The person who has been less obedient isn't further behind than they think—because the person ahead of them hasn't actually gotten ahead. Both are equally dependent on grace. The 'profitable servant' doesn't exist. Only the duty-doing servant and the grace-receiving child.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And it came to pass as he went to Jerusalem,.... That is, Jesus, as the Persic version expresses it; though the Ethiopic…
Are unprofitable servants - We have conferred no favor. We have “merited” nothing. We have not “benefited” God, or laid…
We are unprofitable servants - This text has often been produced to prove that no man can live without committing sin…
We are here taught,
I. That the giving of offences is a great sin, and that which we should every one of us avoid and…
when ye shall have done alt and this can never be, Psa 143:2. Even if it could "non est beneficiumsed officiumfacere…
Cross References
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