“62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 KJV)
CONTEXT MATTERS
Reading only this one verse without context of the verses just before makes it seem like a believer’s “service” and works are what save a person. That is a false gospel message.
Is this talking about a person losing Salvation? No! Jesus is addressing BELIEVERS and inviting them to be a follower. It is about DISCIPLESHIP. Jesus just told the 12 He is headed for the cross. Following Jesus means taking up their own cross to bear. It will not be for the faint of heart heading into surely persecution heading for the cross. Nothing can be put as a priority other than the task at hand. Count the cost because a person could not ‘be fit’ for the task otherwise. By the way, look up the word ‘fit’ in the Greek and the meaning is not ‘service’. It is Strong’s G2111, ‘euthetos’, and means “well placed, i.e. (figuratively) appropriate:—fit,”.
Some pulpits are teaching that Luke 9 is about a believer’s “service”. If you use the NIV Bible translation it reads ,
“62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit 》FOR SERVICE 《 in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NIV)
THE NIV BIBLE ADDED TWO WORDS: (FOR SERVICE) that should not be there.
These two words are not in the KJV version, nor the NASB version, nor the ESV version. The NIV is the worst Bible TRANSLATION ever. Look at King James Version…
“62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 KJV)
Also, if we look at verses previous to 62, the context is clear; Jesus is addressing unbelievers and inviting them to follow Him and believe in Him. He is not addressing BELIEVERS!
Jesus Himself said,
“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is EASY, and my burden is LIGHT.” (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)