And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

LUKE 18:7KJV
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Luke 18:7 (KJV)

What does Luke 18:7 mean?

Luke 18:7 presents God as one who will see that his chosen people receive justice when they call out to him. Jesus asks the question in a way that expects a yes, even while acknowledging that they may experience a long wait.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples after a story about a widow seeking justice from a judge. His question draws a contrast between that judge and God: if the judge eventually acted, how much more can God be expected to act for his own people?

The Greek behind Luke 18:7

  • “avenge” — ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis): The word carries the sense of justice being done or a wrong being put right. In the setting of the widow’s appeal, it points to a judgment in favor of someone who has been wronged, rather than simply to personal revenge.
  • “elect” — ἐκλεκτός (eklektos): The word means “chosen.” Jesus uses it for the people who belong to God and call out to him.
  • “long” — μακροθυμέω (makrothymeō): The word can carry the sense of being patient or waiting a long time. The KJV’s “though he bear long with them” places that idea alongside the question of when justice will come.

Why Luke 18:7 matters

  • The request concerns justice against a wrong, not merely the satisfaction of a private grudge. The widow in the story asks the judge to deal with her opponent.
  • The question belongs to Jesus’ teaching about persistent prayer. Luke introduces the story by saying that the disciples “ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
  • The next verse adds urgency to Jesus’ question: he says God will act “speedily,” then asks whether the Son of man will find faith on earth (Luke 18:8).

Where else these words appear

“shall” Greek G1557 · used in 9 verses

  • Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
  • Acts 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

“long” Greek G3114 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
  • James 5:7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

“cry” Greek G994 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
  • Acts 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

“elect” Greek G1588 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
  • Mark 13:27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
  • Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;