Matthew 24:48

48 But and if that evil slave shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming,

Matthew 24:48 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 24:48

But and if that evil servant
Or should there be an evil servant, an unwise and faithless one, who though he may have gifts and talents, yet destitute of the grace of God; and though he may be in the highest post and office in the church of God for sometimes wicked and graceless men are in such places; yet if he shall say in his heart;
secretly to himself, and with pleasure to his mind, and strengthen himself in a full persuasion of this, my Lord delayeth his coming;
and begins to think that either he will not come at all, to call him to an account for the use of his time, gifts, and talents; or if he does, it will be long first ere he will come, and visit the people of the Jews, by desolating calamities; or by death, to summon him to his bar; or at judgment, to give in his account of his stewardship.

Matthew 24:48 In-Context

46 Blessed is that slave whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
48 But and if that evil slave shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming,
49 and shall begin to smite his fellowslaves and even to eat and drink with the drunken,
50 the lord of that slave shall come in a day when he does not look for him and in an hour that he is not aware of
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010