Luke 17:10

17:10 So you too, when you have done everything you were commanded to do, should say, ‘We are slaves undeserving of special praise; ¹  we have only done what was our duty.’” ² 

John 15:14

15:14 You are my friends ³  if you do what I command you.

Galatians 3:10

3:10 For all who ⁴  rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.” ⁵ 

James 2:10

2:10 For the one who obeys the whole law but fails ⁶  in one point has become guilty of all of it. ⁷ 

[17:10]  ¹ tn Some translations describe the slaves as “worthless” (NRSV) or “unworthy” (NASB, NIV) but that is not Jesus’ point. These disciples have not done anything deserving special commendation or praise (L&N 33.361), but only what would normally be expected of a slave in such a situation (thus the translation “we have only done what was our duty”).

[17:10]  ² tn Or “we have only done what we were supposed to do.”

[15:14]  ³ sn This verse really explains John 15:10 in another way. Those who keep Jesus’ commandments are called his friends, those friends for whom he lays down his life (v. 13). It is possible to understand this verse as referring to a smaller group within Christianity as a whole, perhaps only the apostles who were present when Jesus spoke these words. Some have supported this by comparing it to the small group of associates and advisers to the Roman Emperor who were called “Friends of the Emperor.” Others would see these words as addressed only to those Christians who as disciples were obedient to Jesus. In either case the result would be to create a sort of “inner circle” of Christians who are more privileged than mere “believers” or average Christians. In context, it seems clear that Jesus’ words must be addressed to all true Christians, not just some narrower category of believers, because Jesus’ sacrificial death, which is his act of love toward his friends (v. 13) applies to all Christians equally (cf. John 13:1).

[3:10]  ⁴ tn Grk “For as many as.”

[3:10]  ⁵ tn Grk “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all the things written in the book of the law, to do them.”

[2:10]  ⁶ tn Or “stumbles.”

[2:10]  ⁷ tn Grk “guilty of all.”