Luke 18:1

παραβολὴν : the story is a parable in so far as it teaches by an incident in natural life the power of perseverance with reference to the spiritual life. πρὸς, in reference to, indicating the subject or aim of the parable de (so Kypke, with examples). πάντοτε : not continuously, but persistently in spite of temptation to cease praying through delayed answer = keep praying, notwithstanding delay. The whole raison d'être of the parable is the existence of such delay. Some fail to see this and think that the difference between God and the judge is that He does not delay. It is not so. God is like the judge in this, only His delay has not the same cause or motive. The judge represents God as He appears in Providence to tried faith ἐκκακεῖν : a Pauline word (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13, etc.). This introduction to the parable is probably due to Lk., who, it will be observed, takes care to make the lesson of general application, though the δὲ after ἔλεγε and the concluding reflection in Luke 18:8 imply that the special subject of prayer contemplated both by Lk. and by our Lord was the advent referred to in the previous context.