What Does Luke 18:1 Mean in the King James?

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Luke 18:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Prayer here is a continuing address that keeps delay from becoming despair.

THE MEANING

This verse speaks to you in the stretch where an answer is not yet visible: prayer remains an address that continues through time. It sets that persistence against the collapse of losing heart.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that prayer has failed whenever circumstances have not changed dissolves here: the verse places persistent prayer before the outcome is seen.

THE ROOT

προσεύχομαι

proseuchomai

GROWS FROM

⁨εὐχ-⁩ (euch-), with ⁨πρός⁩ (pros)

The ⁨εὐχ-⁩ word family carries the sense of prayer, wish, and vow; ⁨πρός⁩ means toward.

“pray” in this verse is proseuchomai. The verb joins ⁨πρός⁩ (pros, toward) to the prayer word-family, presenting prayer as address directed toward God, not merely a passing thought. Its word-family includes both prayer and vow, so “always” describes an enduring address rather than one successful moment.

ALSO GROWS

euchē: prayer; vow

εὐχή

This related word carries both prayer and a vow, showing that the word-family can name an expressed appeal or commitment.

proseuchē: prayer directed toward God

προσευχή

This noun shares the verb’s word-family and names the continuing address that the verse sets against losing heart.

THE PATTERN

Prayer continues across time and pressure, while losing heart is named as its counterforce.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Psalm 55:17 · KJVPrayer spans the day, remaining an address through changing hours.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41 · KJVPrayer remains present in the moment of pressure and human weakness.

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 · KJVThe instruction gives prayer the same ongoing quality expressed by “always.”

THE THREAD

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:12 · KJV

Romans uses the same Greek prayer word-family as Luke’s “pray.” It places continuing prayer beside patience in tribulation, making explicit the pairing Luke names: sustained address and not losing heart.

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