Words Of Truth

Luke Chapter Seventeen

Luke 17:1-2 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

• After teaching about Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke 16:19-31), Jesus turns this lesson to the disciples.
• He has taught similarly in another context and with instructions not present here (Matthew 18:1-9).
• So, what if someone is an offender and others are unaware? The separation of those that offend from those that do not will ultimately come in the end (Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43).
• Think about how Peter was an offense [same Greek word as “offences”; Strong’s # 4625] unto Jesus (Matthew 16:21-23).
• When it comes to those who cause offences, they are to be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17-18).
• Someone who causes offense can be one who is a stumbling block to others (Romans 14:13).
• Though, let it be understood that all who cause offense are not sinners. For, Jesus is the rock of offense to the Jews (Romans 9:33) and a “stumblingblock” [this being the same Greek word as “offences”; Strong’s # 4625] (I Corinthians 1:23).
• Think about being the offender for whom it would be better to drown with a huge stone around your neck as illustrated here. What is to come for the offender is terrible indeed (Mark 9:42-48). Think about how it would have been better had Judas never been born (Matthew 26:24).

• The phrase “take heed to yourselves” is used in various contexts of Scripture (Exodus 19:12, Deuteronomy 2:4, Deuteronomy 11:16, Jeremiah 17:21, Mark 13:9, Luke 21:34, Acts 5:35, and Acts 20:28).
• In other words, Jesus was asking His disciples to pay attention to themselves. Thinking about one’s own actions (II Corinthians 13:5 and II John 1:8).
• In the Scriptures there are instructions to restore a person who has sinned (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-20, and Jude 1:21-23; cf. Leviticus 19:17).
• This instruction is a bit different. This is about a personal trespass. Consider Matthew’s record of teaching along this line (Matthew 18:15-35). Also, consider what Paul wrote to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 6:1-8). Without considering what Matthew records and what Paul taught, Luke 17:3-4 can easily be misapplied.
• The rebuke (Proverbs 27:5-6 and Galatians 2:11-14).
• Herein we learn that we have authority to forgive offenses against us with the condition of repentance (Colossians 3:13-14; cf. Luke 13:1-5).

• If you refuse to forgive a penitent brother, you are standing in the way of them approaching God (Matthew 5:23-24).
• If you refuse to forgive, when the condition of repentance is met, you are bringing a harsher judgment on yourself (Matthew 5:7, Matthew 6:15, Matthew 7:2, and James 2:13).
• Think about how forgiving a personal trespass, especially if repeated, requires multiple Christ-like attributes (Ephesians 4:31-32).