“And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?”
The full verse · Luke 18:7 · KJV
his , , he bear ?
Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, telling the parable of the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-6)
Asked to
Disciples: "the disciples" (Luke 17:22), the same hearers to whom "he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1); Jesus applies the widow and the unjust judge to God's "own elect."
The Scene
Jesus tells a parable "to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint," about a widow who kept coming to a judge "which feared not God, neither regarded man" until he avenged her; then He says, "Hear what the unjust judge saith" (Luke 18:1-6).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus reasons from the lesser to the greater. If a judge who cared nothing for God or people finally gave a widow justice just to be rid of her (Luke 18:4-5), how much more will God act for His own people who cry to Him? Barnes warns, "We are not to suppose that the character of God is at all represented by this judge." The judge is a contrast, not a picture of God: "God is not unjust. He is good, and disposed to do justice and to bestow mercy." Matthew Henry states the argument: "If this widow prevail by being importunate, much more shall God's elect prevail." The last phrase, "though he bear long with them," admits what praying people feel: God's help can seem slow.
The Response
What Scripture recordsHistorical Context
The world behind the words"Avenge" here is ekdikesis, which the interlinear glosses "avenging" and the ESV renders "give justice." In English the widow asked the judge for the same thing: "Avenge me of mine adversary" (Luke 18:3).
"Bear long" is makrothumei, which Thayer defines as "to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart," and also "to be patient in bearing the offences and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging." Thayer calls this verse difficult. Gill gives two readings: God bears long with the oppressors "till the sufferings of his people are accomplished," or, as he prefers, God "is longsuffering towards them," His elect, delaying until all of them are gathered in. The ESV makes the phrase a second question: "Will he delay long over them?"
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows God's character by contrast. The judge acted from annoyance; God acts for "his own elect," people who belong to Him and "cry day and night unto him." Their crying is not a nuisance to Him. Barnes admits that God "tries their faith; he suffers their persecutions and trials to continue a long time," but the delay is not neglect. God will act.
Matthew Henry connects this to Isaiah: "God's praying people are told to give him no rest," pointing to Isaiah 62:6-7, where watchmen "give him no rest, till he establish" Jerusalem. Persistent prayer is not wearing down an unwilling God. It is trusting a just God to keep His word.
Look Closer
What is the stated purpose of this parable?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, You hear those who cry to You day and night; in the place where I am tired of waiting, what do You want me to keep asking?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- When God seems slow to act, what do you tend to believe about Him?
- Tell about a prayer you kept praying for a long time. What did the waiting teach you?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
Keep bringing your case to God. If a hard judge could be moved by a persistent widow, you can be sure God hears His own people. Pray the same prayer again tomorrow without feeling you are bothering Him.
This does not mean prayer is a way of wearing God down, or that He will answer on your schedule. Jesus says God may "bear long." And His promise to "avenge" is not permission to take revenge yourself; the widow went to the judge, and you can leave your cause with God.
Scripture's own application: Luke 18:1
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