Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 15:19

"I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants." — Luke 15:19 (ASV)

No more worthy, etc.

"Such has been my conduct that I have been a disgrace to my father. I am not fit to be honoured by being called the son of a man so kind and virtuous."

Make me as one, etc.

"Treat me as a servant. Let me come again into your family, but I do not ask to be treated as a son. I am willing to come in if you will give me only the support that you give to a servant."

This revealed:

1. Deep humility—such as a sinner should have.
2. Love for his father's house—such as all penitents should have toward God's dwelling-place in heaven.
3. Confidence in his father that he would treat him kindly, even if he treated him as a servant. Such confidence all returning penitents feel in God. They are assured that God will treat them kindly—that whatever he gives them will be more than they deserve, and they are therefore willing to be in his hands. Yet,
4. He had no adequate sense of his father's kindness. He did not fully appreciate his character. He was far more kind than he had dared to hope he would be; just as all sinners undervalue the character of God, and find him always more kind than they had supposed. No sinner comes to God with a just and adequate view of his character, but always finds him more merciful than he had dared to hope.