John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:20

"And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents." — Matthew 25:20 (ASV)

And he who had received five talents. Those who usefully employ whatever God has committed to them are said to be engaged in trading. The life of the godly,⁶⁹¹ is justly compared to trading, for they ought naturally to exchange and barter with each other to maintain interaction. The industry with which every man discharges the office assigned him, the calling itself, the power of acting properly, and other gifts, are reckoned to be so many kinds of merchandise; because the use or object they have in view is to promote mutual interaction among people.

Now the gain which Christ mentions is general usefulness,⁶⁹² which illustrates the glory of God. For, though God is not enriched, and makes no gain by our labors, yet when everyone is highly profitable to his brethren, and applies advantageously, for their salvation, the gifts which he has received from God, he is said to yield profit, or gain, to God himself. So highly does our heavenly Father value the salvation of people, that whatever contributes to it he chooses to place to his own account. That we may not become weary in doing well (Galatians 6:9), Christ declares that the labor of those who are faithfully employed in their calling will not be useless.

According to Luke, he says that he who gained five pounds obtains the government of five cities; by which words he informs them that the glory of his kingdom will be very different at his last coming from what it now appears. For now⁶⁹³ we have labor and anxiety in managing, as it were, the affairs of an absent master; but then he will have at his command an ample and copious supply of honors, to ennoble and enrich us. The form of expression employed by Matthew is more simple, Enter thou into the joy of thy master; by which he means that faithful servants, whose discharge of duty shall meet with his approval, will share with him a blessed abundance of all good things.

But it is asked, what is meant by what is added, Take from him the talent, and give it to him who hath ten talents? For every kind of trading will then be at an end. I reply, we ought to remember what I formerly mentioned: that those who insist on explaining, with exactness, every minute phrase are mistaken. The true meaning is, though slothful and unprofitable servants are now endowed with the gifts of the Spirit, yet they will eventually be deprived of them all, so that their wretched and shameful poverty may contribute to the glory of the good.

Now these slothful persons, Christ tells us, hide either the talent or the pound in the earth, because, while they seek their own comfort and gratifications, they refuse to endure any discomfort. This is like many we see who, while focused on themselves and their own advantage, avoid all the duties of charity and have no regard for the general edification. When it is said that the master of the house, after his return, called the servants to account, this should impart courage to the good when they understand that their labor is not in vain. Conversely, the indolent and careless should be struck with considerable terror. Let us therefore learn to call ourselves daily to account, before the Lord comes and makes a reckoning with us.

⁶⁹¹ “Des fideles;” — “of believers.”;” — “of believers.”

⁶⁹² “C’est le profit ou l’avancement de toute la compagnie des fideles en commun;” — “it is the profit or advancement of the whole company of believers in common.”;” — “it is the profit or advancement of the whole company of believers in common.”

⁶⁹³ “En ce monde;” — “in this world.”;” — “in this world.”