So servants, friends, and a flock are not believers? Surely you believe that, and that believers can become unfaithful servants who have their part with the lost, which is the only location given here for the unfaithful, as said, and with the degree of punishment being the only other thing that is mentioned. Thus you have no refutation.
. It is up to me to believe His teaching and obey it...Proof texts are not the issue;...The teaching clearly admits different levels of reward and punishment among His servants and friends...Obedience is the issue; this is something each one of us must do;
But which simply does not translate into even support, not a "proof text," for purgatory, which is what you invoked it for. Time to move on.
The relevance is not whether the servants, friends, and the flock of the LORD are believers, but rather whether they are doing what He says. Servants, friends, and the flock of the Messiah must obey his commandments and be found waiting for the LORD or suffer punishment; including being cut asunder and assigned a portion with unbelievers, beating beaten with many stripes, or suffering few stripes. It is interesting that the portion of that steward who will be elevated over His entire household was His first response to Peter after Peter's question as to whom the teaching applied, the little flock of disciples, or others too. This does not refute what He said. It is what He said. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation, Catholic chapter twenty two, Protestant verses ten to seventeen, as authorized, but not authored, by King James,
boldness mine
The text allows for a range of punishment for a servant of the LORD at the coming of the LORD, according to one's works and understanding of his Lord's will. Who introduced proof text into the discussion. Support I will allow.