Stewardship and the Kingdom of God: An Historical, Exegetical, and Contextual Study of the Parable of the Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-13

Copyright

Contents

List of Abbreviations used

Preface

Introduction

I. Putting Things in Perspective: A History of Recent Interpretation of the Parable of the Unjust Steward

I. Steward's Actions Fraudulent or Dishonest

A. Traditional (or Monetary) Interpretation

B. Non-monetary Interpretations

1. Eschatological Non-monetary Interpretation

2. Non-eschatological Non-monetary Interpretations

a) General interpretation

b) Contemporary-historical interpretation

C. Negative Example Interpretation

1. Interpretations Based on the Present Text

a) Non-ironical interpretation

b) Ironical interpretation

2. Interpretations Based on Theories of Textual Confusion

a) Appeal to Aramaic setting

b) Appeal to textual emendation

II. Steward's Actions Just or Honest

A. Charity or Similar Quality Stressed

B. Socioeconomic Background Stressed

III. Summary/Conclusions

II. Exegesis of Luke 16:1-13

I. Review of Luke 16:1-7

II. Key Interpretive Issues

A. Audience, v.1

1. Objections to Luke's Introduction

2. Luke's Introduction

B. The Identity of ho kyrios, v. 8a

1. Jesus

2. The Steward's Master

C. The Nature of the Praise, v. 8a

1. The Meaning of epaineō

2. The Meaning of ho oikonomos tēs adikias

a) Reference to v. 1 or vv. 5-7?

b) Eschatological nuance

3. The Meaning of hoti phronimōs epoiēsen

a) General definition of adverb

b) Ethics of steward's actions in vv. 5-7

c) Eschatological nuance

D. Verse 8b

1. The Speaker and Original Connection to vv. 1-8a

2. The Subjects of the Comparison

3. The Meaning of the Comparison

E. Verse 9

1. The Connection to vv. 1-8

a) Objections to original connection

b) Arguments for original connection

2. The Basic Exhortation, v. 9a

3. The Purpose Clause, v. 9b

a) hotan eklipēi

b) dexōntai hymas

c) eis tas aiōnious skēnas

F. Verses 10-13

1. The Relationship to vv. 1-9

2. Summary of vv. 10-13 in Terms of the Parable

3. Exegetical Comments

III. Conclusions

III. The Literary Context

I. Immediate Literary Context

A. Luke 15:1-32

1. Discussion of Luke 15

2. Impact of Luke 15 on Interpretation of 16:1-13

B. Luke 16:14-31

1. Discussion of Luke 16:14-31

a) Luke 16:14-18

b) Luke 16:19-31

2. Impact of Luke 16: 14-31 on Interpretation of 16:1-13

II. Broader Literary Context

A. Outline of Difficulties of Broader Context

B. Survey of Interpretations of Central Section

1. Chronological Interpretations

a) Several journeys

b) Onejoumey

2. Literary Interpretations

a) Journey as literary framework

b) Literary model

3. Theological Interpretations

4. Practical Interpretations

a) Authenticated witness

b) Discipleship

c) Instruction for disciples

C. Impact of Broader Literary Context on Luke 16:1-13

III. Summary/Conclusions

IV. The Theological Context

I. General Survey of Lucan Studies

II. Riches and Poverty in Luke-Acts

A. "Negative" Attitude toward Riches/the Rich

1. Bias for Poor and against Rich?

a) Luke 1:50-5 3

b) Luke 4:18-19

c) Luke 6:20-26

2. The Dangers of Riches

a) Luke 12:13-21

b) Luke 18:18-30

3. Renunciation of Possessions

a) Luke 12:33

b) Luke 14:33

c) Luke 18:22

B. Positive Attitude toward Possessions

1. Zacchaeus, Luke 19:1-10

2. Acts Summaries

C. Conclusions

D. Impact of Riches/Poverty Theme on Our Parable

III. Eschatology in Luke-Acts

A. Jesus' Teaching on the Kingdom of God

1. The Kingdom as Future

a) General Statements

b) Imminence

c) Interval

2. The Kingdom as Present

a) Healing Miracles

b) Table Fellowship

c) Forgiveness

d) Holy Spirit

e) Good Works

3. Conclusions

B. Relationship of Eschatology and Ethics

C. Impact of Eschatology on Our Parable

IV. Conclusions

V. Conclusions

Bibliography

Index of Authors

Index of Biblical Passages