Luke 18:1
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
American King James Version (AKJV)
And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
American Standard Version (ASV)
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And he made a story for them, the point of which was that men were to go on making prayer and not get tired;
Webster's Revision
And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
World English Bible
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up,
English Revised Version (ERV)
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Definitions for Luke 18:1
Clarke's Luke 18:1 Bible Commentary
Men ought always to pray - Therefore the plain meaning and moral of the parable are evident; viz. that as afflictions and desolations were coming on the land, and they should have need of much patience and continual fortitude, and the constant influence and protection of the Almighty, therefore they should be instant in prayer. It states, farther, that men should never cease praying for that the necessity of which God has given them to feel, till they receive a full answer to their prayers. No other meaning need be searched for in this parable: St. Luke, who perfectly knew his Master's meaning, has explained it as above.
Barnes's Luke 18:1 Bible Commentary
A parable - See the notes at Matthew 13:3.
To this end - To show this.
Always - At all times. That is, we must not neglect regular stated seasons of prayer; we must seize on occasions of remarkable providences as afflictions or signal blessings to seek God in prayer; we must "always" maintain a spirit of prayer, or be in a proper frame to lift up our hearts to God for his blessing, and we must not grow weary though our prayer seems not to be answered.
Not to faint - Not to grow weary or give over. The parable is designed to teach us that, though our prayers should long appear to be unanswered, we should persevere, and not grow weary in supplication to God.
Wesley's Luke 18:1 Bible Commentary
18:1 He spake a parable to them - This and the following parable warn us against two fatal extremes, with regard to prayer: the former against faintness and weariness, the latter against self confidence.
