And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
LUKE 16:2KJVWhat does Luke 16:2 mean?
Luke 16:2 shows a master confronting his steward (manager) about rumors of mismanagement and demanding a report of how he has handled his responsibilities, warning that he may lose his position. The verse sets up a moment of accountability, where the steward must explain his actions because his job is at risk.
In this scene, Jesus is telling a parable where a wealthy man (the master) calls in his steward after hearing troubling reports. The master asks for an "account of thy stewardship," meaning a detailed explanation of how the steward has managed the master's property. This exchange introduces the theme of responsibility and the consequences of how someone handles what is entrusted to them.
The Greek behind Luke 16:2
- λόγον (logon, "account"): This word often means a report, explanation, or reckoning. Here, it highlights that the steward must give a full explanation of his management, not just a casual answer.
- οἰκονομίας (oikonomias, "stewardship"): This term refers to the management of a household or estate. It emphasizes that the steward’s role is one of trust and responsibility over someone else’s resources.
- οὐκέτι (ouketi, "no longer"): This word means "no longer" or "not anymore," making it clear that the steward’s job is truly at risk, not just under review.
Why Luke 16:2 matters
- Luke 16:2 clarifies that the steward is being held accountable not for a single action, but for his overall management, which is a key point in understanding the parable’s message about responsibility.
- The verse sets the stage for the steward’s later actions, helping readers see why he acts urgently and shrewdly in the following verses.
- This moment of reckoning connects to the wider theme in Luke 16 about faithfulness with what is entrusted to a person, a theme that Jesus applies to spiritual matters later in the chapter.