OLBGrk; LUKE CHAPTER 18 Luke 18:1-8 The parable of the unjust judge and the importunate widow. Luke 18:9-14 The parable of the Pharisee and publican. Luke 18:15-17 Christ's tenderness to the little children that were brought unto him. Luke 18:18-23 He teacheth a ruler how to attain eternal life. Luke 18:24-27 He showeth how hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God, Luke 18:28-30 promises rewards to those who have foregone aught for the gospel's sake, Luke 18:31-34 foretells his own death and resurrection, Luke 18:35-43 and giveth sight to a blind man. This duty of praying always is inculcated to us several times in the Epistles, as may appear from those texts quoted in the margin, which we must not interpret as an obligation upon us to be always upon our knees praying; for thus our obedience to it would be inconsistent with our obedience to other precepts of God, relating both to religious duties and civil actions, neither was Christ himself always praying: but it either, first, lets us know, that there is no time in which we may not pray; as we may pray in all places, every where lifting up holy hands without doubting, (as the apostle saith, 1 1 Timothy 2:8), so we must pray at any time. Or, secondly, it is as much as, pray frequently and ordinarily; as Solomon's servants are said by the queen of Sheba to stand always, that is, ordinarily and frequently, before him, 1 Kings 10:8; and the Jews are said always to have resisted the Spirit of God, Acts 7:51; that is, very often, for they did it not in every individual act of their lives. Or else, in every part of time; knitting the morning and evening (the general parts of our time) together by prayer. Thus the morning and evening sacrifice is called the continual burnt offering, Exodus 29:42 Nehemiah 10:33. Or, as it is in Ephesians 6:18, en panti cairw, in every season, whenever the providence of God offers us a fair season and opportunity for prayer. Or mentally praying always, intermixing good and pious ejaculations with our most earthly and sublunary occasions. Or, having our hearts at all times ready for prayer, having the fire always on the altar, (as was required under the old law), though the sacrifice be not always offering. And not to faint, which is the same with that, Ephesians 6:18, watching thereunto with all perseverance; and Colossians 4:2, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same. Not fainting either by reason of God's delay to give us the things we ask of him, or through laziness, and remission of our duty, before our life doth determine. This is now what our Saviour designs to teach us in this parable which followeth.
Related Commentaries of Luke 18:1
Luke 18:1
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;