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?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just ask if God will answer, but implies a contrast: even an unjust judge eventually yields to persistence, so how much more will a just God? This highlights that God’s delay isn't indifference, but a deliberate testing of faith for His elect, who are meant to learn patience through their persistent cries.
Jesus has just told a parable about a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach his disciples that they ought always to pray and not give up. This verse is the application of that parable, directly asking if God, unlike the unjust judge, would fail to answer his chosen people who cry out to him, even if he seems to delay. Jesus is emphasizing that God's character ensures he will hear and vindicate those who persistently seek him.
Jesus tells a story about a judge who doesn't care about people. Why would he use such a figure to teach about God?
Jesus uses the parable of the unjust judge to highlight the need for persistent prayer. He isn't saying God is like this judge in character – far from it! The judge acts out of annoyance, but God acts out of love. The point of comparison is the action: the widow keeps asking, and eventually, the judge acts. Jesus is using an 'a fortiori' argument: if a wicked, uncaring judge will eventually act because of sheer persistence, how much more will a loving, just God act on behalf of His chosen people who cry out to Him?
The verse mentions God 'bearing long' with His people. Is this a sign of God's indifference, or something else entirely?
The phrase 'though he bear long with them' can be tricky. Commentators suggest it doesn't mean God is indifferent or slow to care. Instead, it speaks to God's longsuffering – His patient endurance. This forbearance might be directed towards the oppressors, giving them time to repent, or towards the elect themselves, testing and strengthening their faith. It’s not a delay born of apathy, but a purposeful patience designed to refine His people and ensure His timing is perfect.
The verse speaks of God's 'vengeance' for His 'elect.' What do these powerful words truly mean in this context?
When the Bible speaks of God's 'vengeance,' it's not about petty revenge or human wrath. It’s about divine vindication – God setting things right, asserting justice, and ultimately triumphing over evil. His 'elect' are those He has chosen, His special people, who are called to follow Him. Their cry isn't a demand for personal retribution, but a plea for God to intervene, to uphold His justice, and to deliver them from oppression. God’s vengeance is His righteous act of setting His chosen people fully right.
Understand the original words
eklektos · Greek Adjective (used as a Noun)
Literally meaning 'picked out' or 'chosen.' In Scripture, it refers to those whom God has sovereignly selected for salvation and relationship with Himself, based on His grace rather than human merit.
ekdikēsis · Greek Noun
The rendering of a verdict that rights a wrong, vindicates the oppressed, or executes divine judgment. In the context of the elect, it refers to God intervening on behalf of His people to deliver them and establish His righteousness.
This parable was spoken to Jesus' disciples who were growing weary in their faith and prayer life amidst hardship. The historical context shows that believers were indeed facing significant suffering and persecution, making the assurance of God's eventual justice a vital message of hope.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus teaches and disciples grow weary
During Jesus' earthly ministry, his followers faced increasing opposition and hardship, leading to weariness and potential discouragement in their faith and prayers.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow
Jesus shares a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow to teach his disciples the importance of constant prayer and not losing heart.
c. AD 60-62
Paul writes to the Thessalonians
In his letters, Paul addresses the Thessalonian church's anxieties about the return of Christ and the suffering of believers, emphasizing perseverance in faith and prayer.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome and persecution
Under Emperor Nero, Rome experienced a devastating fire, leading to widespread persecution of Christians, who were falsely blamed for the disaster.
This verse echoes the call to continuous prayer found in Luke 18:7, emphasizing that believers should 'pray without ceasing' and underscoring the persistent nature of the elect's cry to God.
Romans 8:33This passage directly asks 'Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?' mirroring the assurance in Luke 18:7 that God will vindicate His elect who cry out to Him.
Revelation 6:10The souls under the altar crying 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, will you wait before judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell in the earth?' shows a similar cry for justice from God's people facing oppression, echoing the theme of persistent prayer for vindication.
2 Peter 3:9This verse explains God's perceived delay in judgment by highlighting His longsuffering toward all, which directly relates to the phrase 'though he bear long with them' in Luke 18:7, offering a reason for the delay beyond what the parable's unjust judge demonstrates.
calvinLuke 18:1-8: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
- And he spake also a parable to them, that they ought always to pray, and not to grow weary: 2. Saying, There was a judge in a city, who neither feared God, nor regarded man. 3. And there was a widow in that city, who came to him, saying, Do me justice on my adversary. 4. And he refused for some time, [322] but afterwards said within himself, Though I neither fear God, nor regard man,…
vincentLuke 18:7: "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?"
And shall not GodThe emphasis is on God. In the Greek order, "and God, shall he not," etc.Though he bear long with themA very difficult passage, and interpretations vary greatly.(1.) The verb μακροθυμέω means to be long-suffering, or to endure patiently. Such is its usual rendering in the New Testament.(2.) Them (αὐτοῖς) refers not to the persecutors of God's elect, but to th…
The verse doesn't just ask if God will answer, but implies a contrast: even an unjust judge eventually yields to persistence, so how much more will a just God? This highlights that God’s delay isn't indifference, but a deliberate testing of faith for His elect, who are meant to learn patience through their persistent cries.
Jesus has just told a parable about a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach his disciples that they ought always to pray and not give up. This verse is the application of that parable, directly asking if God, unlike the unjust judge, would fail to answer his chosen people who cry out to him, even if he seems to delay. Jesus is emphasizing that God's character ensures he will hear and vindicate those who persistently seek him.
Jesus has just told a parable about a persistent widow and an unjust judge to teach his disciples that they ought always to pray and not give up. This verse is the application of that parable, directly asking if God, unlike the unjust judge, would fail to answer his chosen people who cry out to him, even if he seems to delay. Jesus is emphasizing that God's character ensures he will hear and vindicate those who persistently seek him.
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c. AD 65-67
Peter writes to scattered believers
Peter's letters encourage believers facing intense persecution and trials, reminding them of God's ultimate justice and the need for steadfast faith.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people and a fulfillment of Jesus' prophecies, signaling a time of judgment.
"And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?" — The verse doesn't just ask if God will answer, but implies a contrast: even an unjust judge eventually yields to persistence, so how much more will a just God? This highlights that God’s delay…
