Luke - 18:4

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4 He wouldn't for a while, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God, nor respect man,

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Luke 18:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
And he would not for a long time. But afterwards he said within himself: Although I fear not God, nor regard man,
And he would not for a time; but afterwards he said within himself, If even I fear not God and respect not man,
and he would not for a time, but after these things he said in himself, Even if God I do not fear, and man do not regard,
"For a time he would not, but afterwards he said to himself, "'Though I have neither reverence for God nor respect for man,
And for a time he would not: but later, he said to himself, Though I have no fear of God or respect for man,
And he refused to do so for a long time. But afterwards, he said within himself: 'Even though I do not fear God, nor respect man,
For a time the judge refused, but afterward he said to himself 'Although I am without fear of God or regard for people,

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

For a while - Probably this means for a "considerable" time. It was his duty to attend to the claims of justice, but this was long delayed.
Within himself - He thought, or came to a conclusion.
Though I fear not - This contains the reason why he attended to the case at all. It was not from any regard to justice, or to the duties of his office. It was simply to avoid "trouble." And yet his conduct in this case might have appeared very upright, and possibly might have been strictly according to law and to justice. How many actions are performed that "appear well," when the doers of those actions know that they are mere hypocrisy! and how many actions are performed from the basest and lowest motives of "selfishness," that have the appearance of external propriety and even of goodness!
She weary me - The word used here, in the original, is that which was employed to denote the wounds and bruises caused by "boxers," who beat each other, and blacken their eyes, and disable them. See the notes at 1-Corinthians 9:27. Hence, it means any vexatious and troublesome importunity that takes the time, and disables from other employment.

He said within himself - How many actions which appear good have neither the love of God, nor that of our neighbor, but only self-love of the basest kind, for their principle and motive!

And he would not for a while,.... He would give no ear to her cries, nor take her cause in hand, nor right her wrongs, and clear her of her adversary:
but afterward he said within himself; as he was considering the matter in his own mind, and reflecting on this woman's case and the frequent application she had made to him:
though I fear not God, nor regard man; a monster in iniquity he was, to say so of himself; for though the character belongs to many, there are few that are so impudent in sin, as to take it to themselves, and glory in it.

And he would not for a while. Because selfishly indifferent.
This widow troubleth me. What neither the fear of God nor the regard for human rights could do, her persistence accomplished, because her "continual coming wearied him."

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