Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

LUKE 16:3KJV
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Luke 16:3 (KJV)

What does Luke 16:3 mean?

Luke 16:3 shows a steward facing the loss of his position and wondering how he will support himself. He considers two ways to make a living, but sees digging as beyond his strength and begging as too shameful.

The steward is a manager in a story Jesus tells. After his master calls him to account in verse 2, the steward speaks “within himself”: the reader hears his private thoughts as he considers what to do next.

The Greek behind Luke 16:3

  • “steward” — οἰκονόμος (oikonomos): This word means a household manager. The steward has a position of responsibility over another person’s affairs, rather than ownership of them.
  • “cannot” — οὐκ ἰσχύω (ouk ischyō): These words carry the sense of not having the strength or ability. In “I cannot dig,” the concern is about his capacity for physical labor.
  • “ashamed” — αἰσχύνομαι (aischynomai): This word means to feel shame. The steward’s objection to begging concerns the shame he associates with it.

Why Luke 16:3 matters

  • The verse presents the steward’s problem as urgent: “my lord taketh away from me the stewardship.” His question arises while he still has a chance to act.
  • The steward’s private reasoning prepares the reader for his plan in the following verses. In verse 4, he decides on a course of action intended to secure a welcome in other people’s homes.

Where else these words appear

“dig” Greek G4626 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

“ashamed” Greek G153 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
  • Philippians 1:20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
  • 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

“stewardship” Greek G3622 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 16:2 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.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
  • Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

“away” Greek G851 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 26:51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
  • Luke 1:25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
  • Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.