The Joy of Your Lord (Matt 25:21)

The first two servants received the same blessing. “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave (δοῦλε); you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master (εἴσελθε εἰς τὴν χαρὰν τοῦ κυρίου σου)’” (NRSV). The parallel saying in Luke 19:17 says that they will be put in charge of more “cities.” There are two things worth pointing out.

The first has to do with the semantic range of κύριος. While it can be a title for God when used of Jesus (“Lord”), all the translations correctly choose “master.” NASB confusingly adds a footnote, “Or lord,” lowercase “l.” The translations are also divided as to the rendering of δοῦλε, “servant” or “slave.”

The second has to do with the genitive τοῦ κυρίου σου. Context makes it clear that it is “the master’s joy,” which means it is an objective genitive (#16.20 in Greek for the Rest of Us). The NASB has the rather strange “enter the joy of your master.” The use of εἰς in the formation of the compound verb and its repetition as a preposition seems that the emphasis on “into” is emphatic. It is also considered stylish Greek. The CSB makes the English a little more intelligible: “Share your master’s joy” (as does the NIV). The NLT goes even further: “Let’s celebrate together!”

All translation involves interpretation.

On a personal note, isn't it amazing that we, as creatures, are actually invited into the joyous life of our creator? I think you have to let that roll around in your head for a bit. God could have simply justified us, but he adopted us into his family, where there is joy and happiness. That’s a far cry from what most people, even many Christians, think about their life with Jesus. I even remember one speaker saying that we can never make God joyful or sad. But this is the reward I desire the most. To share in God’s joy, to bring him joy.