Volume 9

Luther's great interpretation of the Epistle to the Galatians and the other exegetical writings.

Newly published by the Ministry of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States.

Foreword.

This volume brings the continuation and conclusion of Luther's interpretations of the New Testament from the detailed explanation of the Epistle to the Galatians to the sermons on

Content

Open this section of Luther's works.

The ninth part of Luther's complete writings.

Doctor Martin Luther's Interpretation of the "New" Testament. (Conclusion.)

VI. D. Martin Luther's Interpretations on the Epistle to the Galatians.

(Continued.)

B. D. Martin Luther's detailed explanation of the Epistle to the Galatians. *)

Newly translated from Latin. To the Most Serene, Highborn Prince and Lord, Duke of Saxony, Archmarshall and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, Landgrave of Thuringia, and Margrave o

D. Martin Luther's Preface.

1) I can hardly believe myself that I have made so many words in publicly expounding this epistle of St. Paul, as this booklet shows that I have done, and yet I perceive that all t

[Detailed explanation of the epistle to the Galatians.]

[Address of D. Martin Luther to his listeners] *) We have undertaken to interpret anew in the name of the Lord the epistle of Paul to the Galatians, not because we want to present

What the epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians is about.

First of all, it must be said what it is about, that is, what Paul is dealing with in this epistle. Paul wants to strengthen the doctrine of faith, grace, forgiveness of sins, or C

The first chapter.

V. 1. 2. Paul, an apostle (not of men, nor by men, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead), and all the brethren that are with me: the commoners of Ga

The second chapter.

1 Paul taught that the Gentiles were justified by faith alone, without the work of the law. After he had spread this everywhere among the Gentiles, he came to Antioch and preached

The third chapter.

As befits an apostle in his affliction, Paul burns with a completely spiritual zeal and fierce emotion, and in his discussion and refutation he also includes exhortations and speec

The fourth chapter.

V. 1. 2. But I say, as long as the heir is a child, there is no difference between him and a servant, though he be lord of all the goods, but he is among the guardians and custodia

The fifth chapter.

Since Paul wants to close the letter soon, he speaks violently and fervently to defend the doctrine of faith and Christian freedom against its enemies and destroyers, the false apo

The sixth chapter.

Cap. 5, 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (1) Paul has expressly included heresy and hatred among the works of the flesh, and has judged those who stir

Fifty boasts and virtues of one's righteousness, which one seeks to attain by works;

from the apostle Paul's epistle to the Galatians. 1. turns away from the call to the grace of Christ.

C. D. Martin Luther's explanation of the saying St. Paul Gal. 1, 4. 5.

Christ gave himself for our sins 2c.*) Preached Anno 1538.

D. D. Martin Luther's Sermon on the Difference between the Law and the Gospel on Gal. 3, 23. 24. *)

Held the 1st of January 1532. Gal. 3, 23. 24. But before faith came, we were kept under the law and closed to the faith that was to be revealed. So the law was our disciplinarian u

VII Interpretation on the Epistle to the Ephesians.

Held on 20 October 1532. Eph. 6, 10-17. Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against th

D. Martin Luther's Sermon on the Main Summa of God's Commandment,

on the abuse and right use of the law, from the epistle of Paul 1 Tim. 1, 3-11.*) 1(1) I have often and much taught and said, and still say, that two main parts of the Christian do

B. D. Martin Luther's sermon from the Summa of the Christian Life on 1 Tim. 1, 5. 6. 7. *)

Held at Wörlitz on November 24, 1532. So St. Paul fasted in short words the summa of the whole Christian life,

C. Dr. Martin Luther's lesson against the Fanatics, and how secular authorities should behave.

From the first epistle of St. Paul to Timothy Cap. 1, 18. 19. 20. and Cap. 2, 1. 2. *) Held Friday after Oculi, March 24, 1525.

D. D. Martin Luther's interpretation of the saying 1 Tim. 2, 4.

God wants all people to be helped and to come to the knowledge of the truth. *) Held the 27th of Mar; 1525.

IX. Interpretation on the Epistle to Titus.

about the saying of St. Paul Tit. 2, 13. *) Held at Kemberg, August 19, 1531.

X. Interpretations on the first epistle of St. Peter.

First editing. Preached in 1522 and 1523; printed toward the end of 1523.

The first chapter.

V. 1. 2. Peter, an apostle of JEsu Christ, to the elect strangers to and fro in Ponto, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, according to the provision of GOD the Father, in sanc

The second chapter.

V. 1-5. Put away therefore all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisy, and hatred, and all speaking evil. And be greedy for the sensible, unadulterated milk, as the little children n

The third chapter.

V. 1-6. Let the wives be like their husbands, so that even those who do not believe in the word may be won over by the way wives walk without the word, when they see your chaste wa

The fourth chapter.

V.1-3. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind. For he who suffers in the flesh ceases from sins, that he may henceforth live, what

The fifth chapter.

I exhort the elders who are among you, the fellow elder and witness of the sufferings that are in Christ, and fellow member of the glory that is to be revealed. Feed the flock of C

B. The first epistle of S. Peter interpreted.*)

Second editing. Preached (1538? and) 1539; printed 1539.

The first chapter.

This is the signature of this epistle, in which St. Peter exalts and praises his office, says he is an apostle or legate, not of a king or emperor on earth, but of Jesus Christ, wh

The second chapter.

There he begins to instruct what the works and fruits of a Christian life should be. For we have often enough said how a Christian life consists of two things: faith toward God and

The third chapter.

Here St. Peter speaks mainly of the women who had pagan and unbelieving husbands at that time; and again he says of the believing men who had pagan wives. For it often happened in

The fourth chapter.

St. Peter still remains on one track. As he has hitherto admonished us in general that we should suffer if it is God's will, and has set Christ as an example for us, so he now conf

The fifth chapter.

In the fourth chapter above, St. Peter has given an instruction on how to keep the who preside over the people in spiritual government, that no one should teach or preach anything

6. five sermons on the fourth and fifth chapters of the first epistle of St. Peter. *)

Held on Trinity Day, June 1, 1539. Be hospitable among yourselves without murmuring. And serve one another, each with the gift he has received, as good stewards of the many graces

Second sermon on 1 Peter 5:5, 6.

Held on the 3rd Sunday after Trinity, June 22, 1539. Like them, young people, be subject to the elders. All of you be subject to one another, and hold fast to humility. For God res

Third sermon on 1 Peter 5:7, 8.

Held on the 4th Sunday after Trinity, June 29, 1539. Cast all your care upon him, for he cares for you. Be sober, and watch: for your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring

Fourth sermon on 1 Peter 5:8.

Held on the 5th Sunday after Trinity, July 6, 1539. You have heard how St. Peter exhorts that everyone should be humble in his position. For God has distributed many gifts to men,

Fifth sermon on 1 Peter 5:9.

Held on the 6th Sunday after Trinity, July 13, 1539. You have heard that the devil is our adversary, and how he does not rest, but goes about and is valiant, not that he will scold

XI. D. Martin Luther's interpretations of the second epistle of St. Peter.

Preached in 1523, printed in 1524. 1) St. Peter wrote this epistle because 2) he saw how the righteous, pure doctrine of faith would be falsified, obscured, and suppressed; and he

The first chapter.

1) But this is 3) the signature and superscription of this epistle, that it may be known who is writing and to whom he is writing, namely, to those who have heard God's word and st

The second chapter.

This is what St. Peter wants to say: All prophecy shall proceed from the Holy Spirit until the end of the world, as it proceeded from the beginning of the world, that nothing shall

The third chapter.

This is the other epistle that I write to you, beloved, in which I awaken and remind you to remember the words that were spoken to you before by the holy prophets and our commandme

XII. Interpretations on the first epistle of St. John.

Laid out in lectures from August to October 1527. Translated from the Latin by M. Johann Jakob Greif.

The first chapter.

(1) Behold how plainly the apostle speaks. Something is left out, and must therefore be added: We preach to you the word of life, which was from the beginning, otherwise it is a pu

The second chapter.

1. he may be called a theologian who can tell us how this text rhymes together. We sin in the world, we have sin. Who should not be timid in faith at times, like Peter at Antioch?

The third chapter.

This is the most fervent love, which burns like a furnace of fire, because Christ so loved us, and was obedient to his Father, who gave us his Son to redeem us through him. Conside

The fourth chapter.

There is nothing more unstable than the winds, and nothing more changeable than the false spirits. Now one perceives that the wind blows from the morning, in a moment it turns towa

The fifth chapter.

Here you see that the apostle constantly repeats faith and love. For he saw from urgent need that the time would come when some of the Christians would become lukewarm, and others

B. Another interpretation of the first epistle of St. John. *)

1529 and 1530. From D. Martin Luther's own Latin manuscript translated into German by Friederich Eberhard Rambach, Diaconus of the Hauptkirche zur L. Frauen in Halle.

The first chapter.

1 John teaches right at the beginning of his letter what he wants to be regarded for by others in the treatise, namely for such a one as Paul describes in 1 Cor. 4:1, 2: "Everyone

The second chapter.

1 This is the praise that the holy Scriptures give to true Christians. What Paul testified Rom. 15, 4, "that all things which were written aforetime were written for our learning,

The third chapter.

First of all, this chapter is to be brought into a certain main summa according to its content. 1) Initially, it is taught that the blessedness of man does not flow from the law or

The fourth chapter.

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: for many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1) The reason for the good counsel given in th

The fifth chapter.

Here now follows the conclusion of the whole letter. But this chapter is connected with the previous one: The thought sometimes occurs to the saints and the pious: What shall I do

First sermon on 1 John 3:13-17.

Held on the 1st Sunday after Trinity, June 8, 1539. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. We know that we have come out of death into life, because we love the

Second sermon on 1 John 3:13-17.

Held on the 2nd Sunday after Trinity, June 15, 1589. (Continuation of previous sermon.)

D. Dr. Martin Luther's sermon on 1 John 4:16-21. *)

Delivered at Trinity in 1532; printed in 1533. 1 John 4:16-31. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. In this love is fully with us, that we may have

E. D. Martin Luther's sermon on the words 1 John 5:4, 5.

All that is born of GOD overcomes the world 2c. Suspended for the provost at Leitzkau.*)

XIII. D.M. Luther's Interpretations on the Epistle of St. Jude.

Preached in 1523, printed in 1524. This epistle is dedicated to the holy apostle St. Jude, who was the brother of two apostles, Jacob the Less and Simonis, brother of the sister of

D. Martin Luther's Small Exegetical Writings.

which Luther wrote in the Bibles of some. *) To the most noble Prince and Lord, Lord Albrecht, Margrave of Brandenburg, Duke of Prussia, of Stettin in Pomerania 2c. and Burgrave of

Blessed is he who walks not 2c.

Nota: The ungodly doctrine and life he calls advice and ways, if it is yet vain ungodly and sinful thing. It seems and glitters well as a delicious advice and way; but because it i

Your word is my foot 2c.

Whoever seeks another light than God's word, will certainly find vain wispy ones, in which it is much more dangerous to walk, neither in the darkness itself. For such false light i

Your word is the lamp of my foot.

Where God's word does not shine, there can be nothing but darkness and erroneous ways. Therefore the Lord says John 8:12, Cap. 12:35: "I am the light of the world. "Walk in the lig

If you do not believe, you will not remain.

That is, you will lack everything you undertake without faith, even if it were all wisdom, power, art and wealth, for God will not let it succeed. 2) He has swallowed death whole.

The word of our God endures forever.

That is, it holds firm, is certain, does not waver, does not flinch, does not sink, does not lack, does not miss. Where this word comes into the heart with right faith, it makes th

God's word abides forever.

Whoever believes this to be true must also believe what is written there, v. 6: Omnis caro foenum, all flesh is like grass that withers and does not remain until the end. 4) The pr

Who ran it, understand it.

That is, whoever wants to learn the Scriptures should understand them. In Hebrew, this means that he should pay attention to it. So in German we say: Mark what you read; or: If you

He who hears you hears me. 3)

What an unspeakable grace it is that God speaks to us through His word, and speaks so graciously to us that He thereby proclaims and announces His blessed peace and eternal kingdom

How is it written in the law? How do you read?

Here you hear that the Scriptures should and must be read in all things. For this reason it is written in letters, and kept in the church by God's special providence (it will remai

Blessed are those who take GOD's word 2c.

Many are those who do not want to hear God's word, but despise it, even persecute it. Not a few are those who hear it, but without fruit, because they do not keep it, but let it go

Search the Scriptures 2c.

The Jews were right in thinking that they had eternal life in the Scriptures, for the same is true, it is the Word of the 1) This year is alone with Walch.

Warning D. M. Luther.

A man will not become so sharp, who can know the devil well enough. He hangs a slap on him, and will not satisfy him, unless Christ is at hand, who has turned the game to him; othe

Verily, verily, I say unto you 2c.

Alas, that the Son of God must swear so dearly, for the sake of our lazy hearts, to 1) This year is only in Walch.

He who keeps my word 2c.

This may be called a good apothecary, who can give such medicine that death shall not only be overcome, but shall also never be seen. And it is a marvel that a man must die and yet

So someone my word will 2c.

The more firmly you hold, and the less you doubt, the less you will feel death, that is certain. The weaker you hold, the more you doubt, the more you also feel death; that is not

Never see death again, 1)

How unbelievable this is said, and contrary to public and daily experience; nevertheless, it is the truth. If a man seriously considers God's word in his heart, believes it, and fa

I am the resurrection 2c.

How great is the faith that grasps the word of God and keeps it. And yet it can be seen that nothing is more powerless and weaker than the word and faith. But it is God's way to pr

The word you hear 2c.

Because the Son speaks so sweetly and lovingly to us, it is impossible that the Father should be angry with us. Only believe this firmly and surely. For if the Son is for us, who s

If you remain in me 2c.

For where one hears, reads, speaks or thinks the Word of God (with earnestness), there is certainly the Master and Teacher of the same Word, that is, the Holy Spirit. One may well

If you remain in me 2c. 1)

Wonderful thing, who makes himself obedient to God and His word, God wants to make himself obedient to him again. Whoever obeys his father and mother, God will hear him again when

Verily, verily, I say unto you 2c.

This much is said: You cannot stand before God my Father with your purity or worthiness, therefore you need a mediator and high priest. Flee therefore unto me, and doubt not that y

Be of good cheer, I have 2c.

Who can be afraid of him who is overcome, bound and imprisoned? He may rage, do abominable things, bite the chains and gnash his teeth, but he can do no harm except to himself. So

Sanctify them in your truth.

Notice that nothing is holy before God, but everything is sinful and condemned that man lives and does without God's word. Again, nothing is so unholy and terrible that it cannot b

Your word is the truth.

If this is true, then everything must be untruth where God's word or truth is not. That is why it is terrible when a person is without God's word or despises God's word. 1) "but" i

Your word is the truth. 2)

There is no one so rude nor so foolish who would gladly and willingly allow himself to be deceived, especially in great, serious matters, where everyone wants the truth and does no

All the prophets bear witness to this 2c.

Then Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, speaks before the Gentiles in the house of Cornelii the warrior, in the name of all the apostles, invoking all the prophets. Let this be a conc

Supplements and corrections.

Col. 346, note. Deviating from Aurifaber, Veit Dietrich reports in a letter addressed to Justus Menius on August 31, 1532, that Cruciger had rewritten the Sermon on the Mount. Cold