(Outline by John Butler)
1. The Precept Before the Parable (Luke 18:1)
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Luke 18:1 (ESV)
2. The Persons in the Parable (Luke 18:2,3)
2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ Luke 18:2-3 (ESV)
6 and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”
2 Chronicles 19:6–7 (ESV)
3. The Plea in the Parable (Luke 18:3)
3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ Luke 18:3 (ESV)
4. The Procrastination in the Parable (Luke 18:4)
4 For a while he refused. . . her continual coming.’” Luke 18:4-5 (ESV)
5. The Performing in the Parable (Luke 18:4,5)
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” Luke 18:4-5 (ESV)
6. The Promises from the Parable (Luke 18:6–8)
6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:6-8 (ESV)
16 . . . . The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 (ESV)
25 . . . . Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” Genesis 18:25 (ESV)
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (ESV)
3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)
8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness . . .
2 Peter 3:8–9 (ESV)