4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care what people think,
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,
4 "He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think.
4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, 'I don't fear God or care about people,
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually come and attack me!' "
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"
5 But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice - otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black and blue by her pounding.'"
5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' "
5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!'"
(Read Luke 18:1-8)
All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more against her; but our earnest prayer is pleasing to our God. Even to the end there will still be ground for the same complaint of weakness of faith.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 18:4
Commentary on Luke 18:1-8
(Read Luke 18:1-8)
All God's people are praying people. Here earnest steadiness in prayer for spiritual mercies is taught. The widow's earnestness prevailed even with the unjust judge: she might fear lest it should set him more against her; but our earnest prayer is pleasing to our God. Even to the end there will still be ground for the same complaint of weakness of faith.