Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
on men who are given to cruelty. The wicked and iron-hearted judge could not avoid yielding at
length, though reluctantly, to the earnest solicitations of the widow: how then shall the prayers of
believers, when perseveringly maintained, be without effect? If exhaustion and weakness are felt
by us when we give way after a slight exertion, or if the ardor of prayer languishes because God
appears to lend a deaf ear, let us rest assured of our ultimate success, though it may not be
immediately apparent. Entertaining this conviction, let us contend against our impatience, so that
the long delay may not induce us to discontinue our prayers.
7. And shall not God avenge his elect? That judge, whom Christ has described to us as altogether
desperate, as not only hardened against the contemplation of God, but so entirely devoid of shame,
that he had no anxiety about his reputation, at length opened his eyes to the distresses of the widow
We have no reason to doubt that believers will derive, at least, equal advantage from their prayers,
provided they do not cease to plead earnestly with God. Yet it must be observed that, while Christ
applies the parable to his subject, he does not make God to resemble a wicked and cruel judge, but
points out a very different reason why those who believe in him are kept long in suspense, and why
he does not actually and at once stretch out his hand to them: it is because he forbears If at any
time God winks at the injuries done to us longer than we would wish, let us know that this is done
with a fatherly intention—to train us to patience. A temporary overlooking of crimes is very different
from allowing them to remain for ever unpunished. The promise which he makes, that God will
speedily avenge them, must be referred to his providence; for our hasty tempers and carnal
apprehension lead us to conclude that he does not come quickly enough to grant relief. But if we
could penetrate into his design, we would learn that his assistance is always ready and seasonable,
as the case demands, and is not delayed for a single moment, but comes at the exact time.
But it is asked, How does Christ instruct his disciples to seek vengeance, while he exhorts them
on another occasion, pray for those who injure and persecute you, (Matthew 5:44.) I reply: what
Christ says here about vengeance does not at all interfere with his former doctrine. God declares
that he will avenge believers, not for the purpose of giving a loose rein to their carnal affections,
but in order to convince them that their salvation is dear and precious in his sight, and in this manner
to induce them to rely on his protection. If, laying aside hatred, pure and free from every wicked
desire of revenge, and influenced by proper and well-regulated dispositions, they implore divine
assistance, it will be a lawful and holy wish, and God himself will listen to it. But as nothing is
more difficult than to divest ourselves of sinful affections, if we would offer pure and sincere
prayers, we must ask the Lord to guide and direct our hearts by his Spirit. Then shall we lawfully
call on God to be our avenger, and he will answer our prayers.
8. When the Son of man shall come. By these words Christ informs us that there will be no
reason to wonder if men shall afterwards sink under their calamities: it will be because they neglect
the true remedy. He intended to obviate an offense which we are daily apt to take, when we see all
things in shameful confusion. Treachery, cruelty, imposture, deceit, and violence, abound on every
hand; there is no regard to justice, and no shame; the poor groan under their oppressors; the innocent
are abused or insulted; while God appears to be asleep in heaven. This is the reason why the flesh
138
John Calvin