Identifying the "faithful and and discreet slave"
This question is mainly for former JWs who consider themselves Christians. I'm wondering what or who, now that you are no longer in the Society, you believe this "faithful and wise servant" ("faithful and discreet slave") is. Just curios to know what others think about this. In the early history of the Society Russell taught this was the entire body of consecrated/dedicated believers/Christians. Later this was changed to point to himself. The Society promoted this thought sometime after his death and many JWs who remained with the Society even after the 1925 flunk and flip-flop, still thought of Russell as the FDS. Some of the groups that were originally associated with the Society prior to the 1920's and 1930's have differing views on the identification.
Verse: Matthew 24:45 - "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?" (World English Bible)
In Context: 32 "Now from the fig tree learn her parable. When its branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near. 33 Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Most assuredly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 36 But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 As the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 and they didn't know until the flood came, and took them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then will two men be in the field: one is taken, and one is left; 41 two women grinding at the mill, one is taken, and one is left. 42 Watch therefore, for you don't know in what hour your Lord comes. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. 47 Most assuredly I tell you, that he will set him over all that he has. 48 But if that evil servant should say in his heart, 'My lord is delaying his coming,' 49 and began to beat his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with the drunken, 50 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn't expect it, and in an hour when he doesn't know it, 51 and will cut him in pieces, and appoint his portion with the hypocrites; there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be." (World English Bible)
Traditional Christian views:
Adam Clarke Commentary seems to imply this is any "minister of Christ"
Barnes' Notes on the New Testament: "By the conduct of a faithful and wise servant he intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or a teacher of religion."
Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament appears to put this in a plural sense instead of one single person.
The New John Gill Exposition of the Entire Bible says: "a name that is very proper for the apostles and ministers of the word, who are stewards of the mysteries of Christ, and of the manifold grace of God; and whose characters are, that they are 'faithful': for this is required in stewards, that they be faithful to the trust reposed in them; as ministers are, when they preach the pure Gospel of Christ, and the whole of it"
David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible says: "We must be that faithful and wise servant who takes care of his master's business while the master is away."
Matthew Henry Commentary says, "applicable to all Christians, who are in profession and obligation God's servants; but it seems especially intended as a warning to ministers; for the servant spoken of is a steward."
WT Publication quotes:
"The intimation here seems to be, that at the particular time indicated by the prophecy--namely, during the Lord's presence, and at the time of the gathering of the elect--our Lord, the great Servant of his people, will make choice of one channel for dispensing the meat in due season, though other channels or "fellow-servants" will be used in bringing the food to the "household." But the servant is merely a steward, and liable to be removed at any moment, should he fail to fully and duly acknowledge in every particular, the Master--the great Servant of God and his people--"the Messenger of the Covenant"--Christ.
Faithfulness on the part of said steward (both to the "Master" and to "his fellow-servants" and "the household") will be rewarded by his continuance as steward; so long as he serves faithfully, he may continue, and may serve the household of faith with things new and old--meat in due season--to the end; bringing forth all the precious things of divine provision. But if unfaithful he will be deposed entirely and put into outer darkness, while presumably another would take the place, subject to the same conditions.
To our understanding this would not imply that "that servant" or steward, used as a channel for the circulation of the "meat in due season," would be the originator of that meat, nor inspired, nor infallible. Quite to the contrary, we may be sure that whoever the Lord will so use, as a truth-distributing agent, will be very humble and unassuming, as well as very zealous for the Master's glory; so that he would not think of claiming authorship or ownership of the truth, but would merely dispense it zealously, as his Master's gift, to his Master's "servants" and "household." (studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 4, Study 12)
"God in his own time raises up suitable servant or expounders" (plural) - Ref. Link
Reversed to believe it was one person with "fellow servants" - Ref. Link
"Those anointed Christians still alive on earth and faithfully acting as Christ’s 'slave' by keeping spiritually awake and supplying spiritual 'food at the proper time' would be appointed by Christ 'over all his belongings,' or Kingdom interests on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47; Luke 12:42-44) This 'faithful and discreet slave' would have to engage in and supervise a worldwide work of preaching 'this good news of the kingdom,' and 'then the end would come.'- Matthew 24:14." (Wt 12/1/84, "Keep Ready!"; see also Wt 1/3/2004, "The Faithful Slave Passes the Test"; Wt 3/15/1990, "The Faithful Slave and its Governing Body")
Of interest.... What if someone didn't agree with Russell and the Society back in the old days?
C.T. Russell said:
"From the first we have urged that this subject be not allowed to produce contention or bitterness of spirit. Let each reach his own conclusions and act accordingly. If some think that they can get as good or better provender at other tables, or that they can produce as good or better themselves--let these take their course. All who feel dissatisfied with the spiritual food which our great Master has privileged us to send broadcast to every nation should certainly be looking anywhere and everywhere for something better. Our wish for them is that they might find something better. If we were dissatisfied ourselves, or if we knew where something better could be obtained, we certainly at any cost would seek it. And how could we find fault with others for doing what we ourselves would do? Rather let us bid them God-speed in their search for something more satisfactory." (WT Reprints)
Thanks for your time.
- Stephen