Albert Barnes Commentary Luke 18

A parable. See Barnes on Matthew 13:3.

To this end. To show this.

Always. At all times. That is, we must not neglect regular, established times for prayer; we must seize opportunities presented by remarkable providences—such as afflictions or notable blessings—to seek God in prayer; we must always maintain a spirit of prayer, or be in a proper disposition to lift up our hearts to God for His blessing, and we must not grow weary even if it seems our prayer is not answered.

Not to faint. Not to grow weary or give up. The parable is designed to teach us that, even if it appears for a long time that our prayers are unanswered, we should persevere, and not grow weary in supplication to God.

A judge which feared not God. One appointed by law to determine causes brought before him. This judge had no reverence for God, and consequently no regard for the rights of man. These two things go together. He who has no regard for God can be expected to have none for man; and our Lord has here indirectly taught us what ought to be the character of a judge—that he should fear God and regard the rights of man .

Regarded man. He did not care for man. He had no respect for the opinions or the rights of man.

A widow. This is a circumstance that gives increasing interest to the parable. Judges were bound to show peculiar attention to widows (Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3). The reason for this was that they were defenseless, were commonly poor, and were liable to be oppressed by those in power.

Avenge me. This would have been better translated, "Do me justice against my adversary, or vindicate me from him." It does not denote vengeance or revenge, but simply that she wished to have justice done for her—a thing which this judge was bound to do, but which it seems he had no disposition to do.

Adversary. One opposed in law. In this case, it seems that the judge was unwilling to do justice and probably took advantage of her condition to oppress her.

For a while. Probably this means for a considerable time. It was his duty to attend to the claims of justice, but this was long delayed.

Within himself. He thought, or came to a conclusion.

Though I fear not, etc. This contains the reason why he attended to the case at all. It was not from any regard to justice or to the duties of his office. It was simply to avoid trouble.

And yet, his conduct in this case might have appeared very upright, and possibly might have been strictly according to law and justice. How many actions are performed that appear well, when the doers of those actions know that they are mere hypocrisy! And how many actions are performed from the basest and lowest motives of selfishness, that have the appearance of external propriety and even of goodness!

She weary me. The word used here, in the original, is that which was employed to denote the wounds and bruises caused by boxers, who beat each other, blacken their eyes, and disable them. See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Hence, it means any vexatious and troublesome importunity that takes the time, and disables from other employment.

Hear, and so forth. Give attention to this, and derive from it practical instruction.