Luke 18:6-8 6And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7And will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night, and will he not delay long over them? 8I tell you that he will give justice to them soon. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
The character of the judge is made clear in verse 6 with Luke’s emphasis with the phrase the Lord said. Jesus wanted his disciples to find a lesson in the words of the unjust judge who could care less about God or people. The intended comparison is between the surprise response that this judge finally gives to the widow and how God, who is infinitely greater and righteous, gives to those who come to him in faith. Verse 7 gives the point of the story and the comparison. In the same way that the judge finally gave in to the pleas of the widow, God will also answer the prayers of those who do not give up praying.
We should not compare the unrighteous judge to God but find the meaning of the parable in the answer to persistent prayer. When it seems that God is not answering our prayers, we should not give up because in the right time and manner, God will answer according to his purposes. A special relationship is implied with chosen ones (eklektōn) or elect. This term does not indicate any predestination but rather the close relationship those who believe can have with God. There is a special protection and grace available to those who trust in God’s salvation made available in Jesus. Another keyword is the verb for delay long (makrothymei). This word is related to the patience that comes with a delay. It calls for disciples to be patient while waiting for God’s answer to the prayer.
Verse 8 returns the focus of the parable back to the eschatology of chapter 17 and the return of Jesus. The unjust judge finally gave the widow justice. But God will not delay, as emphasized with the word soon (tachei). We have been living with this “soon” expectation now for two thousand years. It may be tempting to think that God will not fulfill his promises about the end of the evil age of death in which we live. As time continues on, believers might grow weary in their prayers and expectations. But we should be like the persistent widow and not become spiritually or morally lazy.
This verse ends with a warning in the form of a rhetorical question that leaves the listener and reader carefully thinking about his or her attitude. Is our faith strong, even in the times of discouragement and delay? We can learn a simple lesson from the widow who was taken advantage of by people, and it seemed that no one cared. When suffering, persecution, and struggles of all kinds tempt us to become discouraged, we must remain strong in our faith and keep going to God in prayer and humility. God remembers and will eventually make all things right.
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