Luke 18:4

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

And {G2532} he would {G2309} not {G3756} for {G1909} a while {G5550}: but {G1161} afterward {G5023}{G3326} he said {G2036} within {G1722} himself {G1438}, Though {G1499} I fear {G5399} not {G3756} God {G2316}, nor {G2532}{G3756} regard {G1788} man {G444};

For a long time he refused; but after awhile, he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God, and I don’t respect other people;

For a while he refused, but later he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect men,

And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

Luke 18:4 KJV Commentary: The Unjust Judge's Inner Monologue

Context

Luke 18:4 is a pivotal verse within the Parable of the Persistent Widow, found in Luke 18:1-8. Jesus tells this parable to His disciples to teach them "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1). The verse describes the internal reasoning of the "unjust judge," a key character introduced in Luke 18:2. This judge is portrayed as having no moral compass, neither revering God nor respecting humanity. His initial refusal to help the persistent widow, followed by this cynical internal justification, sets the stage for the parable's powerful message about God's responsiveness to prayer.

Key Themes

  • Human Injustice and Self-Interest: The judge's declaration, "Though I fear not God, nor regard man," starkly reveals his character. He is motivated purely by self-preservation and convenience, not by any sense of justice, duty, or compassion. This highlights the depths of human depravity when unchecked by divine or moral accountability.
  • Contrast with Divine Character: The judge's notorious lack of fear of God and disregard for man is intentionally presented to create a dramatic contrast with God's just and loving nature. If even such an unrighteous individual can be swayed by persistence, how much more will a righteous and compassionate God respond to the earnest prayers of His children? This self-assessment sets the stage for the profound contrast with God's character, who is always ready to grant justice to His elect.
  • The Basis of Decision-Making: This verse uncovers the judge's internal decision-making process. He acts not out of principle, but out of a desire to avoid personal annoyance, foreshadowing his eventual yielding to the widow's persistence (Luke 18:5).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I fear not God, nor regard man" is crucial. The Greek word for "fear" here is phobeomai (φοβέομαι), which can mean to be afraid, but in this context often implies a reverential awe or respect for divine authority. The word for "regard" is entrepomai (ἐντρέπομαι), meaning to feel shame before, to respect, or to be deterred by someone's opinion. The judge's internal monologue explicitly states his complete lack of both divine reverence and human respect, painting a picture of an utterly amoral individual. This bold confession emphasizes the extreme nature of his unrighteousness, making his eventual concession all the more significant for the parable's lesson.

Practical Application

The primary application of Luke 18:4, in the context of the entire parable, is to encourage believers to persevere in prayer. Jesus uses the "argument from the lesser to the greater": if an unrighteous judge, who fears neither God nor man, can eventually be moved by persistent appeal, how much more will our righteous and loving God respond to the continuous prayers of His beloved children? This verse assures us that our prayers, even when seemingly unanswered for a while, are heard by a God who cares deeply and will act in His perfect timing, unlike the reluctant judge.

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.

  • Hebrews 4:12

    For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

  • Hebrews 4:13

    Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

  • Luke 16:3

    Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

  • Luke 12:17

    And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

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