The Persistent Widow Pleads With the Unjust Judgeby Heloise
18:4Luke 18:4
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
Christ told this parable to teach that men ought always to pray and not to faint, with special reference to the perils His followers must pass through just before His second coming. After refusing for a while a pleading widow who kept coming for defense against her adversary, the city judge resolved within himself that though he feared not God nor regarded man he would act to be rid of her continual coming. His own admission reveals an unjust, godless and unfeeling character with no reverence for God, no respect for people and no regard for right, pity or justice, whose god was self and whose judgment was corrupted by appetite and passion. He knew her cause was righteous and could have relieved her at once, but from selfishness deliberately withheld justice to display arbitrary power, and helped at last only to escape trouble and exposure, not from pity or sense of right. His selfish yielding stands in sharp contrast to God, who regards the appeals of the needy with infinite compassion and hears even the weakest sincere prayer, so God's oppressed people, who near the close of earth's history can expect little justice from rulers who regard neither God nor man, are to keep crying to Him day and night in persevering faith until He avenges His elect speedily.
Parable Setting and Wording
Christ spoke this as a parable to teach that men ought always to pray and not to faint, with special reference to the period just before His second coming and the perils His followers must pass through. It was given as precious instruction to the disciples about prayer, giving new force to asking, seeking and knocking by teaching persistent crying to God day and night, with wavering faith strengthened by remembering that God will do justice for His elect speedily. The delay in answering does not change the lesson, for the call is to keep praying and not lose heart.
The scene pictures a judge in a city who feared not God and regarded not man, and a widow in that city who came to him asking for defense against her adversary. He refused her plea for a while and then answered by resolving within himself, in keeping with his godless and unfeeling character. His later reasoning that although he neither feared God nor respected people he would act shows an initial refusal followed by a self-interested decision to grant her request.
The wording shows delay followed by inward reasoning: after refusing for a while, the judge says within himself that though he fears not God nor regards man he will act. He had neglected justice because he lacked reverence and regard, having no fear of God or respect for people and acting from no compassion or concern for justice. He yielded only because her continual coming and repeated appeals troubled him and wore him down, to save himself from trouble, annoyance and discomfort and to avoid further exposure as his injustice became conspicuous through many complaints. The parable thus supports earnest, persistent prayer, with believers to seek the Lord with a faith that will not be denied.
The verse presents a defrauded, pleading widow who would not let go until granted, though repeatedly repulsed and torn from the judgment seat with rough treatment by those showing contempt for persevering patience. Again and again repulsed, she was found again at the judge's feet asking for justice, and rough treatment did not quench her determination until her perseverance gained its reward. The courage and determination she showed before this judge who feared not God nor regarded man was given to her by Christ Himself, and the confidence He implanted in her He rewarded. Her constant, earnest petitions made even this cold heart without pity or compassion listen and avenge her.
Judge's Character and Motives
The admission in the verse lays bare an unjust, godless and unfeeling character with no reverence for God, no respect for people, and no regard for right, pity, compassion or justice. He neither feared God nor cared about people, having no pity for suffering and no care for justice. His lack of fear toward God and disregard for people is openly confessed within himself.
Self was his god, and he had made himself his own god. Appetite and passion had so corrupted his judgment and destroyed his powers of perception that he acted without moral regard, his decisions governed by debased, perverted sentiments rather than justice. When human life is in the balance such judges decide according to debased, perverted sentiments, showing to what depths of degradation men sink when they yield their powers to Satan and the lower nature is fully developed, filled with satanic attributes.
He knew the widow's cause was righteous and could have relieved her at once, for his position required him to restrain wrong and relieve her. From selfishness he deliberately withheld justice, refusing for a while not from lack of power or knowledge of right and wrong but to display his arbitrary power. He gratified himself and took pleasure in letting her ask and plead and entreat in vain, caring only for what furthered his ambition.
He had even joined her oppressors, wrapping himself in selfishness, indifference and hardheartedness. He treated the earnest pleading widow with contempt and indifference, letting her plead in vain.
His later help came only from selfishness, not from pity or compassion or sense of right, for her misery meant nothing to him. He decided to grant her request to be rid of her importunity and to save himself from trouble, annoyance and discomfort caused by her continual coming. He acted to save his reputation and to keep his partial, one-sided judgment from publicity and exposure, seeing that his injustice was becoming conspicuous because many complaints were being made about his course.
God in Contrast
The inward resolve to act after refusing for a while came from no regard for right and no pity for suffering, for the judge knew the cause was righteous and could have relieved it at once yet held back to display arbitrary power and gratify himself by letting the plea go up in vain. The widow pressed until he consented to take up her case despite his indifference and hardheartedness, and he avenged her not from pity or compassion, since her misery meant nothing to him, but purely from selfishness to be rid of her importunity, to escape trouble and annoyance, to save his reputation and to keep his partial, one-sided judgment from publicity and exposure. That selfish yielding stands in sharp contrast to God, who regards the appeals of the needy and distressed with infinite compassion. Though He may not answer immediately, He does not treat His people indifferently, and the lesson is to keep praying and not lose heart.
Unlike this unjust judge, God is the just Judge who does not reject those who come to Him in contrition but hears even the weakest person's sincere prayer. His disregard for God and humanity stands opposite the justice and mercy God requires and Himself exercises, especially toward the poor and needy.
The one who pleaded was a poor and friendless woman who had lost her husband by death and had no means of retrieving her ruined fortunes, toward whom the judge had no special interest, pity, or compassion and whom he heard only to rid himself of her pitiful appeals. She pictures man who by sin lost connection with God and of himself has no means of salvation, but in Christ is brought nigh unto the Father.
The judge's selfish indifference is the opposite of God, who loves His elect children with infinite love and holds them dear as those He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light to show forth His praise and to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world. He counts His church the dearest object on earth and keeps His people as the apple of His eye. As a defrauded woman prayed earnestly to the judge for justice, so members of God's church, who are His property by creation and by redemption, are to make God their dependence and pray as earnestly to Him, because He has a special interest in those who so depend on Him.
End-Time Oppression Foretold
The verse belongs to the united, persistent cry of God's oppressed people to heaven for deliverance before the close of the church's history in this world, and the widow standing before such a judge reveals the position of the people of God in this world and the trials they will be called to endure because of human injustice. Near the close of this earth's history those who fear God and honor Him can hope for little justice from earthly authority and must expect injustice and oppression at the hand of those placed in positions of trust who fear not God and regard not man. It shows how little the needy in adversity can rely on earthly rulers and judges who do not follow God's Word and the Bible but act from selfish, unconsecrated impulses.
The parable also points to the injustice Christ would face at His trial and to the opposition and continual temptation His loyal followers would face before judges who do not follow the Bible. Christ is their refuge, as He was the refuge of the persistent widow. His example teaches His followers not to vindicate or deliver themselves by accusing, condemning, or using force, but to commit their case to God.
The judge who fears not God pictures lawyers not of the faith, those who do not obey God's requirements and do not have the wisdom that comes down from above. When troubles assail, church difficulties are not to be opened before them and help is not to be sought from them to settle difficulties among church members. Trusting such counselors shows lack of faith in God and dishonors Him. Instead God's people are to agree concerning the thing they desire and unite in offering persevering prayer to God in asking for deliverance.
The verse stands with the truth that everyone who exalts himself will be abased and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. Together with the parable of the friend at midnight it teaches perseverance and importunate entreaty in prayer. The unjust judge belongs to a class who neither fear God nor regard man. The rich man who left Lazarus at his gate does not belong to that class, for he claimed to be a son of Abraham, did not treat the beggar with violence, did not order him away because the sight of him was disagreeable, and even let him remain at his gate, yet was selfishly indifferent to his need of friends, home, money, and food.
Persistent Prayer Enjoined
The verse teaches persistent crying to God day and night, giving new force to asking, seeking, and knocking. When an answer is delayed, God's people are to keep praying and wait patiently rather than give up, trusting His wisdom instead of trying to bring the result by their own strength, laying all plans at the Redeemer's feet. Wavering faith is strengthened by remembering that God will do justice for His elect speedily, and persistent earnest prayer expresses confidence in God, for need leads to pleading for help and God responds to supplication. They need not fear wearying God, but may plead persistently and confidently for His blessing, and if the request is for His name's glory He will speak soothing acceptance, Be it unto thee according to thy word.
Prayer requires firm purpose and perseverance like the widow who would not let go until granted. Those seeking something important are to keep urging their case in faith, remain firm in purpose, and not grow weary while waiting, clinging to God's promise while faith is tried. They are to ask God for greater blessings, believe He will bless, and not waver or give up, seeking the Lord with a faith that will not be denied.
In deep anxiety and inward struggle God's people must plead with strong, prevailing faith and agonizing cries, with firmness and great earnestness, keeping eyes directed upward to Jesus. Evil angels press darkness around to shut out Jesus from view and draw eyes to surrounding darkness so as to cause distrust of God and murmuring against Him, and safety is only in looking upward. Those who struggle with all their energies to resist evil angels and help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance receive the charge of holy angels who waft their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness and bring at times a ray of light from Jesus to encourage their hearts and lighten their pale, anxious countenances marked by sweat. Those who are indifferent and careless, who do not participate in agonizing and pleading and make no effort to resist, are shut in by darkness like a thick cloud and left by the angels of God.
The importunate widow is the pattern for prayer for the sick. With trembling faith grasping God's strong promises, believers are to send humble requests to God for healing power many times a day, with living cries after His salvation. They are to agonize without giving up, with faith that claims restoration and says it shall be done, weeping and praying and rejoicing until the petition is answered and the afflicted brother is restored to health.
The same persistence applies to pleading day and night with God for power through Jesus Christ and for power to live as His children. Parents are to keep praying and pleading for their children until help and grace come, trusting that God hears humble, earnest prayers. Ministers must keep praying and working, and earnestly seek spiritual blessings rather than submit to their lack. Like the widow who kept pleading, those who recognize their need are to seek God diligently, holding fast to people patiently and praying with them, which brings grace and blessing to both; this persistence gives depth and strength to spiritual experience, and God rewards those who seek Him.
Christ told this parable to teach that men ought always to pray and not to faint, with special reference to the perils His followers must pass through just before His second coming. After refusing for a while a pleading widow who kept coming for defense against her adversary, the city judge resolved within himself that though he feared not God nor regarded man he would act to be rid of her continual coming. His own admission reveals an unjust, godless and unfeeling character with no reverence for God, no respect for people and no regard for right, pity or justice, whose god was self and whose judgment was corrupted by appetite and passion. He knew her cause was righteous and could have relieved her at once, but from selfishness deliberately withheld justice to display arbitrary power, and helped at last only to escape trouble and exposure, not from pity or sense of right. His selfish yielding stands in sharp contrast to God, who regards the appeals of the needy with infinite compassion and hears even the weakest sincere prayer, so God's oppressed people, who near the close of earth's history can expect little justice from rulers who regard neither God nor man, are to keep crying to Him day and night in persevering faith until He avenges His elect speedily.
Parable Setting and Wording
Christ spoke this as a parable to teach that men ought always to pray and not to faint, with special reference to the period just before His second coming and the perils His followers must pass through. It was given as precious instruction to the disciples about prayer, giving new force to asking, seeking and knocking by teaching persistent crying to God day and night, with wavering faith strengthened by remembering that God will do justice for His elect speedily. The delay in answering does not change the lesson, for the call is to keep praying and not lose heart.
The scene pictures a judge in a city who feared not God and regarded not man, and a widow in that city who came to him asking for defense against her adversary. He refused her plea for a while and then answered by resolving within himself, in keeping with his godless and unfeeling character. His later reasoning that although he neither feared God nor respected people he would act shows an initial refusal followed by a self-interested decision to grant her request.
The wording shows delay followed by inward reasoning: after refusing for a while, the judge says within himself that though he fears not God nor regards man he will act. He had neglected justice because he lacked reverence and regard, having no fear of God or respect for people and acting from no compassion or concern for justice. He yielded only because her continual coming and repeated appeals troubled him and wore him down, to save himself from trouble, annoyance and discomfort and to avoid further exposure as his injustice became conspicuous through many complaints. The parable thus supports earnest, persistent prayer, with believers to seek the Lord with a faith that will not be denied.
The verse presents a defrauded, pleading widow who would not let go until granted, though repeatedly repulsed and torn from the judgment seat with rough treatment by those showing contempt for persevering patience. Again and again repulsed, she was found again at the judge's feet asking for justice, and rough treatment did not quench her determination until her perseverance gained its reward. The courage and determination she showed before this judge who feared not God nor regarded man was given to her by Christ Himself, and the confidence He implanted in her He rewarded. Her constant, earnest petitions made even this cold heart without pity or compassion listen and avenge her.
Judge's Character and Motives
The admission in the verse lays bare an unjust, godless and unfeeling character with no reverence for God, no respect for people, and no regard for right, pity, compassion or justice. He neither feared God nor cared about people, having no pity for suffering and no care for justice. His lack of fear toward God and disregard for people is openly confessed within himself.
Self was his god, and he had made himself his own god. Appetite and passion had so corrupted his judgment and destroyed his powers of perception that he acted without moral regard, his decisions governed by debased, perverted sentiments rather than justice. When human life is in the balance such judges decide according to debased, perverted sentiments, showing to what depths of degradation men sink when they yield their powers to Satan and the lower nature is fully developed, filled with satanic attributes.
He knew the widow's cause was righteous and could have relieved her at once, for his position required him to restrain wrong and relieve her. From selfishness he deliberately withheld justice, refusing for a while not from lack of power or knowledge of right and wrong but to display his arbitrary power. He gratified himself and took pleasure in letting her ask and plead and entreat in vain, caring only for what furthered his ambition.
He had even joined her oppressors, wrapping himself in selfishness, indifference and hardheartedness. He treated the earnest pleading widow with contempt and indifference, letting her plead in vain.
His later help came only from selfishness, not from pity or compassion or sense of right, for her misery meant nothing to him. He decided to grant her request to be rid of her importunity and to save himself from trouble, annoyance and discomfort caused by her continual coming. He acted to save his reputation and to keep his partial, one-sided judgment from publicity and exposure, seeing that his injustice was becoming conspicuous because many complaints were being made about his course.
God in Contrast
The inward resolve to act after refusing for a while came from no regard for right and no pity for suffering, for the judge knew the cause was righteous and could have relieved it at once yet held back to display arbitrary power and gratify himself by letting the plea go up in vain. The widow pressed until he consented to take up her case despite his indifference and hardheartedness, and he avenged her not from pity or compassion, since her misery meant nothing to him, but purely from selfishness to be rid of her importunity, to escape trouble and annoyance, to save his reputation and to keep his partial, one-sided judgment from publicity and exposure. That selfish yielding stands in sharp contrast to God, who regards the appeals of the needy and distressed with infinite compassion. Though He may not answer immediately, He does not treat His people indifferently, and the lesson is to keep praying and not lose heart.
Unlike this unjust judge, God is the just Judge who does not reject those who come to Him in contrition but hears even the weakest person's sincere prayer. His disregard for God and humanity stands opposite the justice and mercy God requires and Himself exercises, especially toward the poor and needy.
The one who pleaded was a poor and friendless woman who had lost her husband by death and had no means of retrieving her ruined fortunes, toward whom the judge had no special interest, pity, or compassion and whom he heard only to rid himself of her pitiful appeals. She pictures man who by sin lost connection with God and of himself has no means of salvation, but in Christ is brought nigh unto the Father.
The judge's selfish indifference is the opposite of God, who loves His elect children with infinite love and holds them dear as those He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light to show forth His praise and to shine as lights amid the darkness of the world. He counts His church the dearest object on earth and keeps His people as the apple of His eye. As a defrauded woman prayed earnestly to the judge for justice, so members of God's church, who are His property by creation and by redemption, are to make God their dependence and pray as earnestly to Him, because He has a special interest in those who so depend on Him.
End-Time Oppression Foretold
The verse belongs to the united, persistent cry of God's oppressed people to heaven for deliverance before the close of the church's history in this world, and the widow standing before such a judge reveals the position of the people of God in this world and the trials they will be called to endure because of human injustice. Near the close of this earth's history those who fear God and honor Him can hope for little justice from earthly authority and must expect injustice and oppression at the hand of those placed in positions of trust who fear not God and regard not man. It shows how little the needy in adversity can rely on earthly rulers and judges who do not follow God's Word and the Bible but act from selfish, unconsecrated impulses.
The parable also points to the injustice Christ would face at His trial and to the opposition and continual temptation His loyal followers would face before judges who do not follow the Bible. Christ is their refuge, as He was the refuge of the persistent widow. His example teaches His followers not to vindicate or deliver themselves by accusing, condemning, or using force, but to commit their case to God.
The judge who fears not God pictures lawyers not of the faith, those who do not obey God's requirements and do not have the wisdom that comes down from above. When troubles assail, church difficulties are not to be opened before them and help is not to be sought from them to settle difficulties among church members. Trusting such counselors shows lack of faith in God and dishonors Him. Instead God's people are to agree concerning the thing they desire and unite in offering persevering prayer to God in asking for deliverance.
The verse stands with the truth that everyone who exalts himself will be abased and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. Together with the parable of the friend at midnight it teaches perseverance and importunate entreaty in prayer. The unjust judge belongs to a class who neither fear God nor regard man. The rich man who left Lazarus at his gate does not belong to that class, for he claimed to be a son of Abraham, did not treat the beggar with violence, did not order him away because the sight of him was disagreeable, and even let him remain at his gate, yet was selfishly indifferent to his need of friends, home, money, and food.
Persistent Prayer Enjoined
The verse teaches persistent crying to God day and night, giving new force to asking, seeking, and knocking. When an answer is delayed, God's people are to keep praying and wait patiently rather than give up, trusting His wisdom instead of trying to bring the result by their own strength, laying all plans at the Redeemer's feet. Wavering faith is strengthened by remembering that God will do justice for His elect speedily, and persistent earnest prayer expresses confidence in God, for need leads to pleading for help and God responds to supplication. They need not fear wearying God, but may plead persistently and confidently for His blessing, and if the request is for His name's glory He will speak soothing acceptance, Be it unto thee according to thy word.
Prayer requires firm purpose and perseverance like the widow who would not let go until granted. Those seeking something important are to keep urging their case in faith, remain firm in purpose, and not grow weary while waiting, clinging to God's promise while faith is tried. They are to ask God for greater blessings, believe He will bless, and not waver or give up, seeking the Lord with a faith that will not be denied.
In deep anxiety and inward struggle God's people must plead with strong, prevailing faith and agonizing cries, with firmness and great earnestness, keeping eyes directed upward to Jesus. Evil angels press darkness around to shut out Jesus from view and draw eyes to surrounding darkness so as to cause distrust of God and murmuring against Him, and safety is only in looking upward. Those who struggle with all their energies to resist evil angels and help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance receive the charge of holy angels who waft their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness and bring at times a ray of light from Jesus to encourage their hearts and lighten their pale, anxious countenances marked by sweat. Those who are indifferent and careless, who do not participate in agonizing and pleading and make no effort to resist, are shut in by darkness like a thick cloud and left by the angels of God.
The importunate widow is the pattern for prayer for the sick. With trembling faith grasping God's strong promises, believers are to send humble requests to God for healing power many times a day, with living cries after His salvation. They are to agonize without giving up, with faith that claims restoration and says it shall be done, weeping and praying and rejoicing until the petition is answered and the afflicted brother is restored to health.
The same persistence applies to pleading day and night with God for power through Jesus Christ and for power to live as His children. Parents are to keep praying and pleading for their children until help and grace come, trusting that God hears humble, earnest prayers. Ministers must keep praying and working, and earnestly seek spiritual blessings rather than submit to their lack. Like the widow who kept pleading, those who recognize their need are to seek God diligently, holding fast to people patiently and praying with them, which brings grace and blessing to both; this persistence gives depth and strength to spiritual experience, and God rewards those who seek Him.