Parable of the unforgiving servant

The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) illustrates profound truths about forgiveness, grace, and human accountability. This parable underscores the depth of God’s sovereign grace, the transformative power of forgiveness, and the necessity of extending that grace to others as evidence of genuine faith.

Summary of the Parable

The parable begins with Peter asking Jesus how often he should forgive a brother who sins against him, suggesting seven times. Jesus responds with "seventy-seven times" (or seventy times seven), indicating limitless forgiveness. Jesus then tells the story of a servant who owes his king an enormous debt—10,000 talents, an amount impossible to repay. The king, moved by compassion, forgives the debt entirely. However, this same servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a comparatively small amount, about 100 denarii. When the king learns of this, he rebukes the servant, reinstates his debt, and hands him over to be punished.

1. God’s Sovereign Grace in Forgiveness

The unpayable debt owed by the servant represents humanity’s sin against God. This parallels the doctrine of total depravity: humanity’s sin is so extensive and offensive to God’s holiness that it leaves us utterly incapable of repaying or rectifying the debt. The king’s act of forgiving the debt illustrates God’s sovereign grace, freely given and undeserved. This forgiveness is grounded not in human merit but solely in God’s mercy and the atoning work of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

2. The Transformation of the Forgiven

This emphasizes that those who experience God’s saving grace are transformed by it. This transformation is a fruit of regeneration, brought about by the Holy Spirit. The servant’s failure to forgive his fellow servant demonstrates a lack of genuine change, revealing that he has not truly grasped the magnitude of the grace he received. This aligns with the teaching that true faith is evidenced by works, including forgiveness (James 2:17-18).

3. Forgiveness as a Mark of the Elect

The parable warns that an unforgiving spirit is incompatible with genuine faith. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus ties divine forgiveness to our willingness to forgive others (Matthew 6:12).  This does not imply that human forgiveness earns God’s forgiveness but rather that forgiving others is a necessary evidence of being forgiven. Those who are truly regenerate and united to Christ will reflect His character, including His willingness to forgive (Ephesians 4:32).

4. Judgment and Accountability

The king’s judgment on the unforgiving servant highlights God’s justice. While believers are saved by grace, the parable warns against presuming on that grace without demonstrating its fruit in their lives. This acknowledges the dual reality of grace and accountability: salvation is secure for the elect, but a lack of forgiveness can signify a heart not transformed by grace.

Application

This parable serves as a sobering reminder to examine their hearts. It calls them to marvel at the magnitude of God’s forgiveness and extend that forgiveness to others. It also underscores the seriousness of harboring an unforgiving spirit, as it may reveal a lack of true union with Christ.

Conclusion

The parable of the unforgiving servant, from a Reformed perspective, magnifies God’s mercy in salvation and the necessity of a changed heart. Forgiveness is not merely a moral obligation but a vital fruit of saving faith, reflecting the transformative power of God’s sovereign grace in the lives of His people.