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Selected Verse: Luke 18:1 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Lu 18:1 |
King James |
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
PARABLE OF THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW. (Luk 18:1-8)
always--Compare Luk 18:7, "night and day."
faint--lose heart, or slacken. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
A parable - See the notes at Mat 13:3.
To this end - To show this.
Always - At all times. That is, we must not neglect regular stated seasons of prayer; we must seize on occasions of remarkable providences as afflictions or signal blessings to seek God in prayer; we must "always" maintain a spirit of prayer, or be in a proper frame to lift up our hearts to God for his blessing, and we must not grow weary though our prayer seems not to be answered.
Not to faint - Not to grow weary or give over. The parable is designed to teach us that, though our prayers should long appear to be unanswered, we should persevere, and not grow weary in supplication to God. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
To the end that men ought (πρὸς τὸ δεῖν)
Lit., with reference to its being necessary always to pray, etc.
Faint (ἐγκακεῖν)
To turn coward or lose heart. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| He spake a parable to them - This and the following parable warn us against two fatal extremes, with regard to prayer: the former against faintness and weariness, the latter against self confidence. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| Men ought always to pray - Therefore the plain meaning and moral of the parable are evident; viz. that as afflictions and desolations were coming on the land, and they should have need of much patience and continual fortitude, and the constant influence and protection of the Almighty, therefore they should be instant in prayer. It states, farther, that men should never cease praying for that the necessity of which God has given them to feel, till they receive a full answer to their prayers. No other meaning need be searched for in this parable: St. Luke, who perfectly knew his Master's meaning, has explained it as above. |
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;