📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's sustained teaching in Luke 14:25-33 on the cost of discipleship. Three claims: (1) If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. (2) Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (3) Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Christ frames it with two analogies: a tower-builder counting the cost and a king reckoning whether to go to war.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
COST OF DISCIP, n.
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A scriptural teaching of Christ; the cost of following Him.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 14:26 — "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother... he cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:27 — "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:28 — "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"
Luke 14:33 — "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity sells discipleship as cheap; Christ said count the cost.
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Luke 14:25-33 is one of the most aggressive recruiting talks in history. Christ saw great multitudes following Him and turned and laid out the cost — family-rivalry, cross-bearing, total surrender of possessions. He intended to thin the crowd to actual disciples. The tower-builder who runs out of money mid-project is mocked; the king who cannot win the war should sue for peace; the disciple who has not counted the cost will fall away.
Modern Christianity often sells discipleship as cheap. Pray this prayer; here is your free salvation; no further cost. Christ disagrees. Salvation is free; discipleship costs everything. Both are true. Count the cost. Surrender father, mother, possessions, life. The Lord is worthy of total surrender; the half-hearted cannot finish the tower.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G3404 — miseo — to hate (compared to lesser love)
G657 — apotassomai — to forsake, renounce
Usage
"Modern Christianity sells discipleship as cheap; Christ said count the cost."
"Salvation is free; discipleship costs everything."
"The half-hearted cannot finish the tower; surrender all and follow."