Lucas 18

Lucas 18

Meyer - Our Daily Homily - Hear what the unjust judge saith. The force of this parable lies in its succession of vivid contrasts, which rise to an irresistible climax. The judge is unjust. — He neither fears God nor regards man. His one idea is to extort as much money as he can from the prisoners who desire to get out of gaol, and from those that want to keep them in, or put others to share their fate. But God is our Father, unimpeachable in his integrity, and only eager to promote our welfare. The judge had no personal interest in the claimant. — She had no personal attraction for him. Had she been possessed of property, he might have cared more. But now he looked on her as a pest that plagued and worried him. But we are God’s elect, over whom his tender heart vearns. Did He not choose us before all the worlds unto his glory? The judge answered the widow’s cry just to save himself trouble. — Whenever he went to his seat, there she was. Though he had refused to hear her a score of times, there was her voice again, as clear and penetrating as ever. She had been forcibly hurried from his presence by his officials, and she had been borne screaming and remonstrating into the rear; but she never knew herself defeated. At last he could bear it no longer, and gave orders that her patrimony should be restored. And will not God do as much, as, generation after generation, He sees his Church, like a widowed soul, oppressed by the great enemy and avenger? As He hears the cries of martyrs and saints; the perpetual prayer, Come, Lord Jesus; the insolent boast of the foe — will He not arse and avenge? Yes, verily, speedily! But it may seem long to us, because one thousand years with Him are as one day. Luke 18:7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? NET Luke 18:7 Won't God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long to help them? NET Note - The issue of delay has produced a whole host of views for this verse. (1) Does this assume provision to endure in the meantime? Or (2) does it mean God restricts the level of persecution until he comes? Either view is possible. KJV Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? ESV Luke 18:7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? NLT Luke 18:7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? CSB Luke 18:7 Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay to help them? NIV Luke 18:7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? NAB Luke 18:7 Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? NKJ Luke 18:7 "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? NJB Luke 18:7 Now, will not God see justice done to his elect if they keep calling to him day and night even though he still delays to help them? GWN Luke 18:7 Won't God give his chosen people justice when they cry out to him for help day and night? Is he slow to help them? NRS Luke 18:7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? YLT Luke 18:7 and shall not God execute the justice to His choice ones, who are crying unto Him day and night -- bearing long in regard to them? BBE Luke 18:7 And will not God do right in the cause of his saints, whose cries come day and night to his ears, though he is long in doing it? will not God: Lu 11:13 Mt 7:11 bring about justice for His elect: 1Sa 24:12-15 26:10,11 Ps 9:8 10:15-18 54:1-7 Jer 20:11-13 2Th 1:6 Rev 6:10 18:20 who cry to Him day and night: Lu 2:37 Ps 88:1 1Th 3:10 1Ti 5:5 2Ti 1:3 Rev 7:15 will He delay long over them: Ps 13:1,2 Hab 2:3 Heb 10:35-37 Luke 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 18:1-8 Persevering in Prayer - Steven Cole Luke 18:1-8 - Persistent Prayer for the Lord's Return - John MacArthur Related Passage: Revelation 6:9-10+ When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth (see earth dwellers)?” TWO RHETORICAL QUESTIONS Dear reader, you need to realize that Luke 18:7 is a very difficult passage and there are a number of interpretations in the commentaries. Keep that in mind as you study this verse. And don't let the difficult obscure Jesus' main point of the parable which was to encourage us to pray and not grow discouraged. Now, will not God bring about justice (ekdikesis) for His elect (eklektos) who cry (boao) to Him day and night - This first rhetorical question expects an affirmative answer -- of course He will bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night. This is discussed in more depth below.