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the Week of Proper 6 / Ordinary 11
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Read the Bible

The NET Bible®

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?

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Despondency;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Prayer;   Predestination;   Thompson Chain Reference - Ask;   Christ;   Church;   Elect, the;   Family;   God's;   Importunity;   People, God's;   Prayer;   Promises, Divine;   Secret Prayer;   Seekers;   United Prayer;   Unwise Prayers;   Wicked, the;   The Topic Concordance - Election;   Vengeance;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Election;   Parables;   Prayer;   Prayer, Answers to;   Righteousness;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Parable;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Day;   Election;   Luke, gospel of;   Prayer;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christ, Christology;   Day;   Prayer;   Widow;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hearing the Word of God;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Anna;   Herod;   Nehemiah;   Proselytes;   Widow;   Zacharias;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Election;   Luke, Gospel of;   Parables;   Prayer;   Vengeance;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Election;   Longsuffering;   Parable;   Prayer;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Choice;   Circumstantiality in the Parables;   Cry;   Day of Judgment;   Discourse;   Elect, Election ;   Election;   Eternal Punishment;   Long-Suffering ;   Longsuffering;   Parousia (2);   Police;   Prayer (2);   Questions and Answers;   Retribution (2);   Vengeance;   Vengeance (2);   Wandering Stars;   Widow ;   Widows;   Winter ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 33 Patience Long-Suffering Forbearance;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Elect;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bear;   Gospels, the Synoptic;   Longsuffering;   Prayer;   Prayers of Jesus;   Retribution;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for November 10;   Every Day Light - Devotion for April 26;   My Utmost for His Highest - Devotion for September 12;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Will not God grant justice
King James Version (1611)
And shall not God auenge his owne elect, which crie day and night vnto him, thogh he beare long with them?
King James Version
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
English Standard Version
And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
New American Standard Bible
now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them?
New Century Version
God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them.
Amplified Bible
"And will not [our just] God defend and avenge His elect [His chosen ones] who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay [in providing justice] on their behalf?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?
Legacy Standard Bible
Now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?
Berean Standard Bible
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He continue to defer their help?
Contemporary English Version
Won't God protect his chosen ones who pray to him day and night? Won't he be concerned for them?
Complete Jewish Bible
Now won't God grant justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Is he delaying long over them?
Darby Translation
And shall not God at all avenge his elect, who cry to him day and night, and he bears long as to them?
Easy-to-Read Version
God's people shout to him night and day, and he will always give them what is right. He will not be slow to answer them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Now shall not God auenge his elect, which cry day and night vnto him, yea, though he suffer long for them?
George Lamsa Translation
Would not God avenge his chosen ones much more, who call upon him day and night, though he has patience with them?
Good News Translation
Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them?
Lexham English Bible
And will not God surely see to it that justice is done to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them?
Literal Translation
and will God not at all execute the avengement of His elect, those crying to Him day and night, also having been long-suffering over them?
American Standard Version
And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?
Bible in Basic English
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?
Hebrew Names Version
Won't God avenge his elect, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
International Standard Version
Won't God grant his chosen people justice when they cry out to him day and night? Is he slow to help them?Revelation 6:10;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But shall not Aloha do vengeance for his chosen, who cry to him by day and by night, and prolong his spirit towards [fn] them?
Murdock Translation
And will not God, much more, vindicate his chosen, who call upon him by day and by night; and have patience with them?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And shall not God auenge his elect, which crye day and nyght vnto hym? yea, though he deferre them,
English Revised Version
And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry to him day and night, and he is longsuffering over them?
World English Bible
Won't God avenge his elect, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And shall not God vindicate his own elect, who cry to him day and night, though he bear long with them?
Weymouth's New Testament
And will not God avenge the wrongs of His own People who cry aloud to Him day and night, although He seems slow in taking action on their behalf?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and whether God schal not do veniaunce of hise chosun, criynge to hym dai and nyyt, and schal haue pacience in hem?
Update Bible Version
And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and [yet] he is long-suffering over them?
Webster's Bible Translation
And will not God avenge his own elect, who cry day and night to him, though he beareth long with them?
New King James Version
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
New Living Translation
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?
New Life Bible
Will not God make the things that are right come to His chosen people who cry day and night to Him? Will He wait a long time to help them?
New Revised Standard
And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And shall, God, in any wise not execute the vindication of his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, although he beareth long with regard to them?
Douay-Rheims Bible
And will not God revenge his elect who cry to him day and night? And will he have patience in their regard?
Revised Standard Version
And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And shall not god avenge his electe which crye daye and nyght vnto him ye though he differre them?
Young's Literal Translation
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?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But shall not God also delyuer his chosen, that crye vnto hi daye and night, though he differre the?
Mace New Testament (1729)
and will not God avenge his own elect, who cry to him night and day? will he delay their cause?
Simplified Cowboy Version
So if even a no-good sorry judge will dispense justice, how much more will our loving God hear our pleas that we cry out for day and night? Will he just turn a blind eye to his kids?

Contextual Overview

1 Then Jesus told them a parable to show them they should always pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected people. 3 There was also a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.' 4 For a while he refused, but later on he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor have regard for people, 5 yet because this widow keeps on bothering me, I will give her justice, or in the end she will wear me out by her unending pleas.'" 6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unrighteous judge says! 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? 8 I tell you, he will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

shall: Luke 11:13, Matthew 7:11

avenge: 1 Samuel 24:12-15, 1 Samuel 26:10, 1 Samuel 26:11, Psalms 9:8, Psalms 10:15-18, Psalms 54:1-7, Jeremiah 20:11-13, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 18:20

which: Luke 2:37, Psalms 88:1, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 1 Timothy 5:5, 2 Timothy 1:3, Revelation 7:15

though: Psalms 13:1, Psalms 13:2, Habakkuk 2:3, Hebrews 10:35-37

Reciprocal: Exodus 22:23 - they cry at all Deuteronomy 32:35 - the things Joshua 10:13 - until 2 Samuel 4:8 - the Lord 2 Samuel 18:31 - the Lord 1 Kings 8:28 - Yet have thou 1 Kings 18:43 - Go again 2 Kings 9:7 - I may avenge 2 Kings 13:24 - Hazael Nehemiah 1:6 - day and night Nehemiah 5:1 - a great cry Esther 8:13 - avenge themselves Job 1:5 - continually Psalms 1:2 - day Psalms 6:3 - how Psalms 9:12 - he forgetteth Psalms 10:18 - judge Psalms 22:2 - I cry Psalms 25:5 - on thee Psalms 86:3 - for I Isaiah 5:7 - a cry Isaiah 34:8 - General Isaiah 40:27 - my judgment Isaiah 42:14 - long time Isaiah 60:22 - I the Lord Jeremiah 15:15 - remember Joel 1:19 - to thee Joel 3:4 - swiftly Mark 13:27 - his elect Luke 18:3 - Avenge Acts 9:11 - for Romans 8:33 - of God's Philippians 4:6 - in Colossians 3:12 - as 1 Thessalonians 2:9 - night James 5:4 - the cries 1 Peter 1:2 - Elect 2 Peter 3:9 - is not

Cross-References

Genesis 18:15
Then Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. But the Lord said, "No! You did laugh."
Genesis 18:16
When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom. (Now Abraham was walking with them to see them on their way.)
Genesis 19:3
But he urged them persistently, so they turned aside with him and entered his house. He prepared a feast for them, including bread baked without yeast, and they ate.
Amos 6:4
They lie around on beds decorated with ivory, and sprawl out on their couches. They eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the middle of the pen.
Malachi 1:14
"There will be harsh condemnation for the hypocrite who has a valuable male animal in his flock but vows and sacrifices something inferior to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the Lord who rules over all, "and my name is awesome among the nations."
Matthew 22:4
Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited, "Look! The feast I have prepared for you is ready. My oxen and fattened cattle have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet."'
Luke 15:23
Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate,
Luke 15:27
The slave replied, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.'
Luke 15:30
But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And shall not God avenge his own elect,.... Who are a select number, a special people, whom he has loved with an everlasting love, so as of his own sovereign good will and pleasure to choose in his Son Jesus Christ unto everlasting life and salvation, through certain ways and means of his own appointing, hence they are peculiarly his: and these he will avenge and vindicate, right their wrongs, do them justice, and deliver them from their adversaries, and take vengeance on them; as may be concluded from his hatred of sin, his justice, and his holiness, from his promises, and from his power, and from the efficacy of prayer, and the regard he has to it: for it follows,

which cry unto him day and night; whose prayers he always hears; whose tears he puts up in his bottle; and whose importunity must surely be thought to have more regard with him, than that of the poor widow with the unjust judge:

though he bear long with them? either with their adversaries, their oppressors, and persecutors, who are vessels of wrath, fitted for destruction, whom he endures with much longsuffering, till the sufferings of his people are accomplished, and the iniquities of these men are full; or rather with the elect, for the words may be rendered, "and is longsuffering towards them": delays his coming, and the execution of vengeance, as on the Jewish nation, so upon the whole world of the ungodly, till his elect are gathered in from among them; see 2 Peter 3:9.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Shall not God avenge ... - We are not to suppose that the character of God is at all represented by this judge, or that “his” principles of conduct are at all like those of the judge. This parable shows us conclusively that many “circumstances” of a parable are not to be interpreted closely: they are mere appendages to the narrative. The great truth which our Saviour “designed” to teach is what we ought to endeavor to find. In this case there can be no doubt what that truth is. He has himself told us that it is, that “men ought always to pray and not to faint.” This he teaches by the example in the parable; and the argument which it implies is this:

  1. A poor widow, by her perseverance only, obtained from an unjust man what otherwise she would “not” have obtained.
  2. God is not unjust. He is good, and disposed to do justice and to bestow mercy.

If, therefore, this “wicked man” by persevering prayer was induced to do justice, how much more shall “God,” who is good, and who is not actuated by any such selfish and base principles, do justice to them who apply to him!

Avenge - Do justice to or vindicate them. This may have a twofold reference.

1. To the disciples in the time of Jesus, who were about to be oppressed and persecuted, and over whom calamities were about to come, “as if” God did not regard their cries and had forsaken them. To them Jesus gives the assurance that God “would” hear their petitions and come forth to vindicate them; and that, notwithstanding all these calamities, he would yet appear for their deliverance.

2. It may have a more “general” meaning. The people of God are often oppressed, calumniated, persecuted. They are few in number and feeble. They seem to be almost forsaken and cast down, and their enemies triumph. Yet in due time God will hear their prayers, and will come forth for their vindication. And even if it should not be “in this life,” yet he will do it in the day of judgment, when he will pronounce them blessed, and receive them forever to himself.

His own elect - People of God, saints, Christians; so called because God has “chosen” them to be his. The term is usually given in the Scriptures to the true followers of God, and is a term of affection, denoting his great and special love in choosing them out of a world of sinners, and conferring on them grace, and mercy, and eternal life. See 1 Thessalonians 1:4; Col 3:12; 1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 1:4. It signifies here that they are especially dear to him; that he feels a deep interest in their welfare, and that he will, therefore, be ready to come forth to their aid. The judge felt no special interest in that widow, yet he heard her; God feels a particular regard, a tender love for his elect, and, therefore, he will hear and save.

Which cry day and night - This expresses one striking characteristic of the elect of God; they pray, and pray constantly. No one can have evidence that he is chosen of God who is not a man of prayer. One of the best marks by which the electing love of God is known is that it disposes us to pray. This passage supposes that when the elect of God are in trouble and pressed down with calamities, they “will” cry unto him; and it affirms that if they do, he will hear their cries and answer their requests.

Though he bear long with them - This passage has been variously interpreted, and there is some variety of reading in the manuscripts. Some read, “Will not God avenge his elect? Will he linger in their cause?” But the most natural meaning is, “Although he defers long to avenge them, and greatly tries their patience, yet he will avenge them.” He tries their faith; he suffers their persecutions and trials to continue a long time; and it almost “appears” as if he would not interpose. Yet he will do it, and will save them.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Luke 18:7. And shall not God avenge his own elect — And will not God the righteous Judge do justice for his chosen? Probably this may refer to the cruel usage which his disciples had met with, and were still receiving, from the disobedient and unbelieving Jews; and which should be finally visited upon them in the destruction of their city, and the calamities which should follow. But we may consider the text as having a more extensive meaning. As God has graciously promised to give salvation to every soul that comes unto him through his Son, and has put his Spirit in their hearts, inducing them to cry unto him incessantly for it; the goodness of his nature and the promise of his grace bind him to hear the prayers they offer unto him, and to grant them all that salvation which he has led them by his promise and Spirit to request.

Which cry day and night unto him, c.] This is a genuine characteristic of the true elect or disciples of Christ. They feel they have neither light, power, nor goodness, but as they receive them from him and, as he is the desire of their soul, they incessantly seek that they may be upheld and saved by him.

Though he bear long with them? — Rather, and HE is compassionate towards THEM, and consequently not at all like to the unrighteous judge. Instead of μακροθυμων, and be long-suffering, as in our translation, I read μακροθυμει, he is compassionate, which reading is supported by ABDLQ, and several others. The reason which our Lord gives for the success of his chosen, is,

1. They cry unto him day and night.

2. HE is compassionate towards THEM.

In consequence of the first, they might expect justice even from an unrighteous judge; and, in consequence of the second, they are sure of salvation, because they ask it from that God who is towards them a Father of eternal love and compassion. There was little reason to expect justice from the unrighteous judge.

1. Because he was unrighteous; and

2. Because he had no respect for man: no, not even for a poor desolate widow.

But there is all the reason under heaven to expect mercy from God:

1. Because he is righteous, and he has promised it; and

2. Because he is compassionate towards his creatures; being ever prone to give more than the most enlarged heart can request of him.

Every reader must perceive that the common translation is so embarrassed as to be almost unintelligible; while that in this note, from the above authorities, is as plain as possible, and shows this beautiful parable to be one of the most invaluable pieces in the word of God.


 
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