luke-18:1-8,2-timothy-4:1-5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:8

Verse 8 8.When the Son of man shall come. By these words Christ informs us that there will be no reason to wonder if men shall afterwards sink under their calamities: it will be because they neglect the true remedy. He intended to obviate an offense which we are daily apt to take, when we see all things in shameful confusion. Treachery, cruelty, imposture, deceit, and violence, abound on every hand; there is no regard to justice, and no shame; the poor groan under their oppressors; the innocent... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint . The formnla ἕλεγε δὲ καί , literally, "and he spake also," calls attention to the fact that the parable-teaching immediately to follow was a continuation of what had preceded. Indeed, the connection between the first of the two parables, which urges restless continued prayer, and the picture which the Lord had just drawn of men's state of utter forgetfulness of God, is obvious. "The Son of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-7

Continuance in prayer: Divine delay. We have first to consider what is— I. THE ARGUMENT IN THE TEXT . It is one from the less to the greater, or rather from the unworthy to the worthy. If a bad man will, for a poor reason, accede to the request of one for whom he cares nothing, how much more certainly will the Righteous One himself, for a good reason, espouse the cause of those who are so dear to him! The reasons for confidence in God's faithfulness and interposition are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-8

The importunate widow. The importance which Christ attaches to prayer is evidenced by the frequency with which he recurs to it in his teaching, and the variety of his illustration of its duty and blessedness. The sermon on the mount enforces it as one of the cardinal virtues of the perfect disciple. In the eleventh chapter of this Gospel both the manner after which we are to pray, and the assurance on which faith should rest, are presented. Again, towards the close of the ministry we are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

The Lord speaks the two parables on prayer — the importunate widow, and the Pharisee and publican. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

Lessons in prayer. Our Lord, in the two parables composing the present passage, gives the disciples encouragement to pray. The one brings out the need of perseverance and importunity in prayer; the other brings out the spirit of self-abasement which should be cultivated in prayer. They are thus linked together as twin lessons in the art of prayer. I. LET US NOTICE THE NEEDFUL IMPORTUNITY OF GOD 'S ELECT AS ILLUSTRATED BY THE IMPORTUNATE WIDOW . ( Luke... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:2

There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man . Probably enough the whole scene was a sketch from life; under such a rule as that of Herod Antipas there were, doubtless, judges of the character here portrayed. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:3

And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary . The petitioner was a woman and a widow, the latter being in the East a synonym for helplessness. With no one to defend her or plead her cause, this widow was ever a prey to the covetous. Not once nor twice in the noble generous words of the chivalrous Hebrew prophets we find this readiness on the part of those in power to neglect, if not to oppress these helpless widow-women, sternly commented... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:7

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him? The Master tells us that God permits suffering among his servants, long after they have begun to pray for deliverance. But we are counselled here to cry day and night unto him, and, though there be no signor reply, our prayers shall be treasured up before him, and in his own good time they will be answered. Though he bear long with them. With whom does God bear long? With the wrong-doers, whose works and words oppress... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:8

I tell you that he will avenge them speedily . " Non bientot, mais bien rite " (Godet). It means that God will act in accordance with his servant's prayer, not soon, but suddenly; sure and sudden at the crisis the action of Divine providence comes at the last "as a thief in the night." Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? These difficult words seem to point at least to a fear lest, the second coming being long delayed, true faith would have died... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 18:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 18:8

Group of Brands