Luke 18:7 - Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Luke 18:7" mean?
Luke 18:7, "Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?" is part of the Parable of the Persistent Widow. To understand the verse, it's important to consider the context of the parable:
The Parable: Jesus tells the story of a widow who persistently pleads with a judge for justice. The judge is unjust and doesn't fear God or care about people. He ignores her for a long time, but eventually, he gives in simply to get rid of her.
The Contrast: Jesus then contrasts the unjust judge with God. If even an unjust judge will eventually grant justice because of persistence, how much more will a righteous and loving God respond to the cries of his people?
Meaning of the Verse:
The verse highlights a few key points:
1. God's Chosen Ones: These are the people who have placed their faith in God and are part of His family. They are experiencing hardship or injustice.
2. Crying Out Day and Night: This indicates persistent and fervent prayer. The chosen ones are not casually asking; they are earnestly pleading with God for help. This also implies a deep distress or suffering.
3. Exercises Patience: This is the challenging part of the verse. It seems to suggest that even though God hears the cries of His people, He doesn't always answer immediately. There is a period of waiting, of God exercising patience with them.
4. Avenge: This doesn't necessarily mean violent retribution. In this context, "avenge" implies vindication, justice, and the righting of wrongs. It means that God will ultimately set things right for His people and protect them from those who harm them.
5. Argument from the Lesser to the Greater: The core message lies in the question: "Won't God...?" Jesus is using an "a fortiori" argument - if even an unrighteous judge yields to persistence, how much MORE will a loving and just God respond to the constant prayers of His people?
Interpretations and Implications:
Assurance of God's Justice: The verse assures believers that God hears their prayers and will ultimately bring justice. He is not indifferent to their suffering.
Importance of Persistence in Prayer: The parable emphasizes the need to persevere in prayer, even when answers seem delayed. God values persistent and heartfelt communication.
God's Timing: The fact that God exercises patience suggests that He has His own timing and purposes for answering prayers. There may be reasons why He doesn't answer immediately, such as testing faith, developing character, or working out His larger plan.
Hope in Suffering: Even in the midst of suffering, believers can hold onto the hope that God will ultimately vindicate them and set things right.
Understanding "Avenge": It's crucial to remember that "avenge" doesn't always mean inflicting harm on enemies. It can also mean protecting and delivering His people from harm, and restoring justice.
Theodicy: The verse indirectly touches on the problem of theodicy – the question of why a good and all-powerful God allows suffering. The passage doesn't fully answer this complex question, but it assures believers that God is aware of their suffering and will eventually bring justice.
In summary: Luke 18:7 is an encouragement to pray persistently and believe that God, who is infinitely more just and loving than any human judge, will ultimately answer the prayers of His chosen ones and bring about justice in His perfect timing. It is a message of hope and assurance for those who are suffering and crying out to God.
Luke 18:7 - Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?
What does "Luke 18:7" mean?
Luke 18:7, "Won’t God avenge his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?" is part of the Parable of the Persistent Widow. To understand the verse, it's important to consider the context of the parable:
The Parable: Jesus tells the story of a widow who persistently pleads with a judge for justice. The judge is unjust and doesn't fear God or care about people. He ignores her for a long time, but eventually, he gives in simply to get rid of her.
The Contrast: Jesus then contrasts the unjust judge with God. If even an unjust judge will eventually grant justice because of persistence, how much more will a righteous and loving God respond to the cries of his people?
Meaning of the Verse:
The verse highlights a few key points:
1. God's Chosen Ones: These are the people who have placed their faith in God and are part of His family. They are experiencing hardship or injustice.
2. Crying Out Day and Night: This indicates persistent and fervent prayer. The chosen ones are not casually asking; they are earnestly pleading with God for help. This also implies a deep distress or suffering.
3. Exercises Patience: This is the challenging part of the verse. It seems to suggest that even though God hears the cries of His people, He doesn't always answer immediately. There is a period of waiting, of God exercising patience with them.
4. Avenge: This doesn't necessarily mean violent retribution. In this context, "avenge" implies vindication, justice, and the righting of wrongs. It means that God will ultimately set things right for His people and protect them from those who harm them.
5. Argument from the Lesser to the Greater: The core message lies in the question: "Won't God...?" Jesus is using an "a fortiori" argument - if even an unrighteous judge yields to persistence, how much MORE will a loving and just God respond to the constant prayers of His people?
Interpretations and Implications:
Assurance of God's Justice: The verse assures believers that God hears their prayers and will ultimately bring justice. He is not indifferent to their suffering.
Importance of Persistence in Prayer: The parable emphasizes the need to persevere in prayer, even when answers seem delayed. God values persistent and heartfelt communication.
God's Timing: The fact that God exercises patience suggests that He has His own timing and purposes for answering prayers. There may be reasons why He doesn't answer immediately, such as testing faith, developing character, or working out His larger plan.
Hope in Suffering: Even in the midst of suffering, believers can hold onto the hope that God will ultimately vindicate them and set things right.
Understanding "Avenge": It's crucial to remember that "avenge" doesn't always mean inflicting harm on enemies. It can also mean protecting and delivering His people from harm, and restoring justice.
Theodicy: The verse indirectly touches on the problem of theodicy – the question of why a good and all-powerful God allows suffering. The passage doesn't fully answer this complex question, but it assures believers that God is aware of their suffering and will eventually bring justice.
In summary: Luke 18:7 is an encouragement to pray persistently and believe that God, who is infinitely more just and loving than any human judge, will ultimately answer the prayers of His chosen ones and bring about justice in His perfect timing. It is a message of hope and assurance for those who are suffering and crying out to God.