Luke 18:1

¶ And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

And {G1161} he spake {G3004}{G2532} a parable {G3850} unto them {G846}{G4314} to this end, that men ought {G1163} always {G3842} to pray {G4336}, and {G2532} not {G3361} to faint {G1573};

Then Yeshua told his talmidim a parable, in order to impress on them that they must always keep praying and not lose heart.

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Context

Luke 18:1 introduces one of Jesus' most instructive parables, the Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge, found immediately after this verse. The phrase "to this end" clearly states the purpose of the upcoming story: to teach His disciples, and by extension all believers, a crucial lesson about prayer. Coming after discussions about the coming of the Kingdom of God and the need for vigilance (Luke 17:20-37), this verse underscores the importance of unwavering faith and communication with God in anticipation of future events and amidst life's challenges.

Key Themes

  • Perseverance in Prayer: The primary message is that prayer should not be a sporadic activity but a continuous, persistent engagement. It's about maintaining a constant attitude of dependence on God, bringing all requests and concerns before Him without giving up.
  • Not Fainting or Losing Heart: The injunction "not to faint" addresses the common human tendency to become discouraged or weary when prayers are not immediately answered or when difficulties persist. Jesus teaches that true faith involves enduring through delays and trials.
  • Faith and Trust: Implicit in persistent prayer is a deep trust in God's character and His ultimate faithfulness, even when circumstances seem bleak or answers are slow in coming.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "not to faint" translates the Greek word ekkakeō (ἐκκακέω), which means "to lose heart," "to be discouraged," "to grow weary," or "to give up." It describes a spiritual and emotional weariness that leads to abandoning one's efforts, particularly in prayer. This word emphasizes the internal struggle against discouragement that believers face when their prayers seem unanswered or when they encounter prolonged opposition. This is contrasted with the command to "pray without ceasing" found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, highlighting a consistent posture of communion with God.

Practical Application

Luke 18:1 serves as a foundational verse for understanding the nature of Christian prayer. It encourages believers to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer, not just in moments of crisis, but as an ongoing conversation with God. This means:

  • Consistency: Making prayer a regular part of daily life, understanding that God is always accessible.
  • Endurance: When facing delays or spiritual battles, remember that the purpose is to keep praying and not surrender to discouragement. This echoes the call to be "continuing instant in prayer" in Romans 12:12.
  • Trusting God's Timing: Understanding that God's answers may not align with our immediate desires or timelines, but His wisdom and love are always at work. The subsequent parable illustrates that even an unjust judge responds to persistence, how much more will a loving Heavenly Father answer His elect who cry day and night unto Him (Luke 18:7).

This verse reminds us that prayer is a vital discipline for spiritual growth and resilience, empowering us to stand firm in faith and not succumb to weariness in our journey.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Colossians 4:2

    ¶ Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

  • Romans 12:12

    Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17

    Pray without ceasing.

  • Philippians 4:6

    Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

  • Ephesians 6:18

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

  • Psalms 55:16

    ¶ As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.

  • Psalms 55:17

    Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

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