SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:28
Porque ¿cul de vosotros, queriendo edificar una torre, no cuenta primero sentado los gastos, para ver si tiene lo que necesita para acabarla?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 14:28
Verse 28. To build a tower] Probably this means no more than a dwelling house, on the top of which, according to the Asiatic manner, battlements were built, both to take the fresh air on, and to serve for refuge from and defense against an enemy. It was also used for prayer and meditation. This parable represents the absurdity of those who undertook to be disciples of Christ, without considering what difficulties they were to meet with, and what strength they had to enable them to go through with the undertaking. He that will be a true disciple of Jesus Christ shall require no less than the mighty power of God to support him; as both hell and earth will unite to destroy him.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 28. For which of you intending to build a tower , etc.] Taking up a profession of Christ and his Gospel, is like building a tower; which, as a tower, must be laid on a good foundation; not on carnal descent and parentage; nor on a sober and religious education; nor on a civil, moral life and conversation; nor on a bare knowledge of Gospel truths and a flash of affection for them, and the people of God; but upon Christ the sure foundation; and on principles of grace formed by his Spirit, in their hearts: and this, like a tower, is carried very high; not by professing high things, but by living on high amidst a profession; by having the affections set on things above; and by looking down with contempt on things below; and by looking to, and pressing after, the prize of the high calling of God in Christ: the profession of some persons is very low; it arises from low principles, and proceeds on low views, aims, and ends; but where it is right, and well founded, it is like a tower, firm and steady, and is a fortress and bulwark against apostacy. Now what person acting deliberately in such a case as this, and proceeding with intention and design, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ? as every wise man would, who has any thoughts of building a tower, or any other edifice: and so such that have an intention to take up a profession of religion, should sit down and well consider of it; which does not imply, that persons should delay making a profession, on whom it is incumbent; but that this should be done with thoughtfulness, care, and prudence: it should be considered on what foundation a man is going to build: whether the work of grace is truly wrought upon his soul; what be the nature and use of Gospel ordinances; with what views he takes up a profession, and submits to ordinances; what the church and minister are, he intends to walk with; and what the charge and cost of a profession; for such a work is chargeable and costly, and should be thought of and considered, whether he is able to bear it: for he will be called to self-denial; and must expect to suffer the loss of the favour of carnal relations and friends; and to be exposed to the scorn and rage of the world; a cross must be took up and bore; and great grace and strength are requisite to all this.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-35 - Though the disciples of Christ are not all crucified, yet they all bea their cross, and must bear it in the way of duty. Jesus bids them coun upon it, and then consider of it. Our Saviour explains this by tw similitudes; the former showing that we must consider the expenses of our religion; the latter, that we must consider the perils of it. Sin down and count the cost; consider it will cost the mortifying of sin even the most beloved lusts. The proudest and most daring sinner cannot stand against God, for who knows the power of his anger? It is ou interest to seek peace with him, and we need not send to ask condition of peace, they are offered to us, and are highly to our advantage. I some way a disciple of Christ will be put to the trial. May we seek to be disciples indeed, and be careful not to grow slack in ou profession, or afraid of the cross; that we may be the good salt of the earth, to season those around us with the savour of Christ __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
τις 5101 I-NSM γαρ 1063 CONJ εξ 1537 PREP υμων 5216 P-2GP θελων 2309 5723 V-PAP-NSM πυργον 4444 N-ASM οικοδομησαι 3618 5658 V-AAN ουχι 3780 PRT-I πρωτον 4412 ADV καθισας 2523 5660 V-AAP-NSM ψηφιζει 5585 5719 V-PAI-3S την 3588 T-ASF δαπανην 1160 N-ASF ει 1487 COND εχει 2192 5719 V-PAI-3S τα 3588 T-APN προς 4314 PREP απαρτισμον 535 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
28. A tower. The subject of the parable is the life of Christian discipleship, which is figured by a tower, a lofty structure, as something distinguished from the world and attracting attention.Counteth (yhfizei). Only here and Apoc. xiii. 18. From yhfov, a pebble (see Apoc. ii. 17), used as a counter. Thus Herodotus says that the Egyptians, when they calculate (logizontai yhfoiv, reckon with pebbles), move their hand from right to left (ii. 36). So Aristophanes, "Reckon roughly, not with pebbles (yhfoiv), but on the hand" ("Wasps," 656). Similarly calculate, from Latin calculus, a pebble. Used also of voting. Thus Herodotus: "The Greeks met at the altar of Neptune, and took the ballots (tav yhfouv) wherewith they were to give their votes." Plato: "And you, would you vote (an yhfon qeio, cast your pebble) with me or against me?" ("Protagoras," 330). See Acts xxvi. 10.
Cost (thn dapanhn). Allied to daptw, to devour. Hence expense, as something which eats up resources.
Sufficient (eiv apartismon). Lit., unto completion. The kindred verb ajpartizw, not used in New Testament, means to make even or square, and hence to complete.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:28 {Build a tower} (purgon oikodomesai). A common metaphor, either a tower in the city wall like that by the Pool of Siloam (#Lu 13:4) or a watchtower in a vineyard (#Mt 21:33) or a tower-shaped building for refuge or ornament as here. this parable of the rash builder has the lesson of counting the cost. {Sit down} (kaqisas). Attitude of deliberation. {First} (prwton). First things first. So in verse #31. {Count} (yefizei). Common verb in late writers, but only here and #Re 13:18 in the N.T. The verb is from yefos, a stone, which was used in voting and so counting. Calculate is from the Latin _calculus_, a pebble. To vote was to cast a pebble (tiqemi yefon). Luke has Paul using "deposit a pebble" for casting his vote (#Ac 26:10). {The cost} (ten dapanen). Old and common word, but here only in the N.T. from daptw, to tear, consume, devour. Expense is something which eats up one's resources. {Whether he hath wherewith to complete it} (ei ecei eis apartismon). If he has anything for completion of it. apartismon is a rare and late word (in the papyri and only here in the N.T.). It is from apartizw, to finish off (ap- and artizw like our articulate), to make even or square. Cf. exertismenos in #2Ti 3:17.
