Matthew 24:48

48 But if he is a bad servant, he will tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time,

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 How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home!
47 Indeed, I tell you, the master will put that servant in charge of all his property.
48 But if he is a bad servant, he will tell himself that his master will not come back for a long time,
49 and he will begin to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
50 Then that servant's master will come back one day when the servant does not expect him and at a time he does not know.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.