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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Luke 18:7 - 18:7
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Luk 18:7. Θεὸς, God) Who is a most righteous Judge.-ποιήσῃ τὴν ἐκδίκησιν, effect the avenging of) These words are presently after repeated with the greatest force.-τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν αὐτοῦ, of His own elect) He is speaking of those elect in particular [besides the general truth taught by the parable] who were living at that time, and who were about to escape safe through the destruction of the city.-βοώντων, who cry) as being in great straits, to ask for their being avenged. [As being destitute of every other aid. This was the sacred anchor of David, Psa 55:17-18.-V. g.]-[ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς, day and night) They severally cry night and day; but the cry of all, taken collectively, is undoubtedly altogether continuous, and never ceaseth.-V. g.]-μακροθυμεῖ) A striking reading [which, though the margin of the larger Edition judged it to be the inferior reading, is notwithstanding preferred to the other reading by the Germ. Version, which follows the margin of the Second Ed.-E. B.[198]] Any one may readily perceive the force of the construction (involved) in it: The elect cry to God, but God μακροθυμεῖ, bears long (delays the answer long), in their case (respecting them). The verb of the former member of the sentence in the text passes into the participle βοώντων, who cry; whilst the verb of the other member, μακροθυμεῖ, bears long (delays His purpose long), remains unmoved. I have brought together several examples of this construction, which has been assailed by many in all quarters, in my note on Mar 3:27. Moreover in this passage there is commended that long-suffering [long tarrying in executing His purpose] on the part of God, whereby He regards both the wrongs done by the wicked and the sufferings of the saints in such a way (comp. Isa 64:11-12) [Psa 83:1-2] as that He does not immediately make an end of both, although men think that His wrath against the wicked and His compassion towards the saints require a most speedy end to be made. At length there is accomplished that which is said of the just, Sir. 35:22 (Al. 32:18), οὐδὲ μὴ μακροθυμήσει ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς Κραταιός.
[198] ABDQLX read μακροθυμεῖ; Vulg. “patientiam habebit;” Rec. Text, μακροθυμῶν, with abc.-E. and T.