First sermon on 1 Peter 4:9-11.
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 of God. If anyone speaks, speak it as the word of God. If anyone has an office, that he may do it as of the ability which God has given, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
St. Peter thus preached to Christians that they should live moderately and soberly [1 Pet. 4:8.], and many other commands and precepts
more to it. And I have said about the German gluttony, 1) and especially that here in the city, under the preaching, they encourage drinking in the taverns. For if we were Christians and believed the word, we would also honor the ministry of preaching and not mock it or desecrate it, as is unfortunately done. We have also heard that Christians are not to have a bad love, but a fervent love that can suffer, endure and forgive, a love that is not in the least bit bad, but in the least bit good.
1) In the sermon on Sunday Exaudi [May 18]. (Buchwald.)
*The first four sermons are from Luther's Zwickau and Heidelberg manuscripts; the fifth is from the Heidelberg manuscript alone. In order not to repeat what has already been said, we refer to the note in the seventh volume of our edition, Col. 1502.
Love that is red, a love that covers everything and is fervent, that forgives and does not keep discord or hatred. But if anyone does not have love, he is not a Christian.
"Be hospitable among yourselves without murmuring." At that time all the apostles and disciples were strangers and guests. But the people became ungrateful, especially those who wanted to be good Christians. Paul also chastised the Corinthians for not wanting to give anything. For the apostles were poor, having nothing but the gospel. They did not live in their own houses, as we preachers do now. Therefore, where they went and preached the gospel, it could not be otherwise than that they lodged with the gospel with the people where they went, and were lodged and fed by the hearers. They were driven out of Jerusalem, just as many Christians are driven into misery in our time. Therefore this virtue should be with the Christians, that they should gladly shelter and be kind to the Christians who have been driven out. But a friendly attention is needed, because many abuse us shamefully, especially the monks who have run away. The world is much worse now than in the apostles' time. But we should leniently help the poor, especially the exiles, who have a sure testimony that we let them eat, drink and sleep with us, and that our house is open to such strangers, exiles and poor people. The Christians do this, but the others do not.
"Serve one another, each with the gift." St. Paul lifts up above, 1 Cor. 12 and Rom. 12, but St. Peter below. Says: "Be sober!" and now comes into the church and into the gifts of the Holy Spirit, takes, the pieces before, which go there except the hostel. For "to be sober" is preached from the belly and from bodily things. But this goes to the soul and the gifts that the body can not comprehend, but the soul.
But they are all God's gifts; if you have house, farm, grain, wine, accept them all as God's gift. If one has a husband,
1) "Pieces . . except the hostel" put by us instead of: "Stands.... except the hostel." Cf. Col. 1258.
or a man a wife, his servants and maids, they are all God's gifts, if you want to look far. But I will draw it in and interpret it from the spiritual gifts, which belong to the Christian church and people's happiness. For the Holy Spirit pours out abundantly all kinds of gifts, so that one person has more than another, as is also shown in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. For the Holy Spirit giveth no man all things with one another, 2) but to every man his own special gifts, which he shall use for the common good. But no one does this] except the apostles, who were the process 3) after them also the prophets [etc.]. Now the whole church should be careful to use the gifts for the salvation and blessedness of the church. But the gifts are various. But see to it that people are brought to serve one another with such gifts. St. Paul also does this. When he has long told about the gifts, he strikes with thunder and says that it is nothing if I had all the gifts and lacked love, as you can see in 1 Corinthians 13.
This is a wonderful sermon. For a man should be a learned and refined man, and have the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and yet not be saved; for he does not need to use these gifts for the benefit of his neighbor, but thinks: It is I alone, and others must worship me for God. And then, if you were eloquent as the angel Gabriel and as John the Baptist, could govern the church, teach as the Son of God, you would make an idol of it and seek your glory in it. See how it is in the world! If one can make a sermon, he feels that he is better in one thing than others. And if the mob falls to praise him, he, the fool, does not know whether he will walk on the earth or in the clouds. Some have a fine mind and go to them
2) This sentence is, as the construction already shows, incomplete. It would like to be completed in the way we have done in the bracketed words.
3) Cf. Col. 1:18.
4) "denn" put by us instead of "dem" in Buchwald. Cf. Col. 1260.
the trafficking 1) quickly. This tickles them and does them so much good that they then make sects and become ravening wolves, seeking only their honor, benefit, power and dominion. Therefore preach and admonish St. Paul and St. Peter, as Apost. 20, 28. and 1 Petr. 5, 2.: "Not forced." Why do you preach this? Where does he see such a one teaching the people and [not seeking to be] 2) a lord over the people, having such great honor? and are [yet] 2) all pious! St. Peter sees well that it does not want to be this way, but this is how it is: When the Holy Spirit has distributed his gifts, and they are fine people, they cannot say, I received it, as St. Peter teaches; but it has grown on him. He does not think that they are gifts of the Holy Spirit. But I know it, how a great fool this one is, and even stinketh; saying, Here! Here is the man! They must not be God's gifts, since God would be praised and honored by them, but only for our honor, pride and avarice; not for the neighbor's benefit and blessedness, but for my dominion and for the neighbor's contempt. So also a good lawyer does not think: I have received this gift from God, but he also goes along in the clouds: Here sits the man! So does a doctor. But beware, lest you think you have received gifts and despise others. For then they will not consider them gifts of the Holy Spirit, but such as they have by their own power, and therefore they should be celebrated and worshipped. So does a new preacher who has once preached a sermon. He then despises all the others; if he knows a little Greek or Hebrew word, he thinks the whole world is full of fools against him. So we do not recognize the gifts we have received, but then trample underfoot the old people and teachers.
This is how it is in the secular classes. A nobleman does not think that he has his shield, helmet and nobility from God, but thinks that he must therefore despise others and use them. He does not think that he has his shield, helmet and nobility from God, but thinks that he must despise others and use them to harm and ruin his country and people. So there is no aemt-
1) By "Handel" is to be understood here the preaching, as follows from Col. 1260. The following also proves this.
2) Inserted by us.
The little one is so small, he doesn't know how to stand inside, so that only his dirt stinks quickly. By the body, that one should not serve God and benefit any city, but tyrannize with the gifts and thus think: I did not receive it from God, but it has grown on me. Thus we abuse not only the spiritual gifts, but also the bodily gifts. That is why Moses says [Deut. 32:15], "He grew fat and thick and strong, and forsook the God who made him." Those whom fortune favors, it makes fools of. If our Lord God gives us much, it makes fools of us. If one is rich, they also want to be wise. Much more one wants to be wise in the holy scriptures. If one understands a chapter, he thinks all the others are fools.
Therefore, when the Holy Spirit distributes the gifts, we have no need of them. Now they are beautiful gifts and given to us to praise God and to benefit our neighbor. But we turn them around so that they are praised, and not for the benefit of our neighbor, but for harm. Shouldn't there be hellish fire, lightning and thunder if we misuse God's gifts, which God has given us for His praise and for the salvation of our neighbor?
Every man look to himself! It is a wonderful, beautiful thing if someone has many gifts. But in the 12th chapter of Luke [v. 48] it is said: "Whoever has much, a heavy account will be demanded of him. If then thou hast not received a thousand florins, thou must not reckon them. But if thou hast had them, and hast not used them aright, beware! So, if you are a nobleman, mayor, magistrate, peasant, authority, another may not answer for it, but you must answer. If he has adorned and decorated you and hung the regiment on your neck, you must answer for it. If you are a doctor, a layman will not answer for it. You have not been given the power to abuse it for the condemnation of others. Much more, if he has given you a high intellect, a judgment against heretics, a good voice, a healthy body, you are a learned magister: that is good, but pray to God that you use such gifts of God rightly and always set the rule that you use the gifts for God's honor and glory.
and the neighbor's benefit. For I must give greater account than any poor schoolmaster. For I can do what they cannot. If I am proud and seek my honor, I am in the pit of hell. But he that hath not, let him not lack; and he that hath, let him lack, if he abuse it. For this is the way God wants it, that each one should serve the other, and everything should be done for the glory of God. If you fail in these two things, you will be condemned with your glorious gifts. Therefore, see that you direct all your gifts to love, service and kindness toward your neighbor, and that you have fervent love, so that God may be honored. If you do not do this, you are not a Christian.
"With 1) the gift." "You are God's stewards." He now speaks of the church overseers 2) and stewards. Therefore see that your house is properly supplied and fed. He tells all kinds of examples of the various gifts of God. "If any man speak." St. Peter 3) divided the gifts into two parts, speaking and doing. For man can do no more than these two things. He suffers the other. Who then in this house is a householder, speaking or doing anything, or 4) both, there is bound up in me, that I may know that it is the word of God which is spoken unto thee, that thou mayest hear it, John 10:16. For neither shall we hear any thing but his word, neither shall I preach any thing but the word of God, lest the devil speak, or men speak only, or our reason, or philosophy. For nothing shall be preached nor heard here but the divine word alone, that I may say: I speak well; you hear the word of God. For God has also chosen for Himself a place on earth where He has His dwelling place, where His house is, wherein He alone speaks.
But St. Peter speaks in a prophetic way that the Church is a bride, so a man is familiar. But Christ is the bridegroom, the Christian church is the bride.
1) Buchwald: "After" instead of: "With".
2) Vorstehern sFürstehern] set by us. Buchwald: "from the church, princes and stewards"^.
3) In Buchwald: Paul.
4) Here we have deleted "has".
The Virgin and Bride is the daughter of the Heavenly Father, who has given her to His Son Christ. The Holy Spirit is the chamberlain in a woman's room, who distributes the ornaments of glorious jewels and gifts. For this reason, the Christian church is glorious. For the prophets also make God the bridegroom, as Zechariah says [9:9]: "Rejoice, O daughter of Zion; be glad, O daughter of Jerusalem!" So also in the Gospel of the great supper [Luc. 14, 16. ff.]. Since Christ is a bridegroom, and the Father gives out the bride, and the Holy Spirit adorns her, she should hear nothing else but the bridegroom, the Word of God, and should hear no one else, not become a harlot. Therefore, the prophets have said that Israel is a virgin, for she is chaste and pure and clings only to the Word of God; as God also says to Elijah [1 Kings 19:18], "I have kept seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal, nor worshiped him. This is the bride. Next to them were many thousands who were harlots, and God also wanted to make a chamber, because he wanted to preach alone, and, as it happens on earth, if one has a bride, and there should be another around her, it would make bad blood and cost blood, it means a knife. Therefore it is called a bridal chamber, that the bridegroom and the bride alone should be in it, and father and mother and all the household should go away.
Otherwise God has given the housekeeping and the worldly regiment. There you hear lawyers and doctors in the right. They belong to the courts of kings and princes. But in the brewery, you must not speak of such things, but only of the word of the Lord Christ. God has given house and farm. If you want to be wise and speak, you will have to do more than ten can do. If you want to do right in housekeeping, you will find enough. But in the secret chamber, there it shall be said: Out with lawyers, out with philosophers! and let them teach what they want, but listen to God's word alone. For the church should neither kiss nor embrace anyone else, but only the bridegroom, not the devil. For she is the daughter of God, the heavenly Father,
and the Holy Spirit has graced them with his gifts. These things are commanded me and thee, that thou shouldest hear, and I should teach. For this reason I must not listen to all others who preach something different, just as the pope also does, pushing his filth upon us so that we lose the gospel. But if it were followed here, the devil would have torn apart the bridal chamber and led the virgin into the wilderness, as Revelation says in the 12th chapter of John, so that no one saw her anymore.
This should be the first thing, to hear the word of God. For the Bridegroom alone will speak, and the bride shall hear no one else but the Bridegroom. And with such a gift one should serve others, so that one's neighbor may be helped and God may be praised. For if I preach in such a way that you understand that it is the word of God, you cannot condemn me, and you cannot then be subject to me, that I should rule over you, nor can you then flatter me, that I should teach you, for it is the word of God. To him be praise and honor who has helped you with it. There is then no selfishness, avarice, pride. But if it is the other way around, then you add dirt to it and make an idol out of the gift. That's how it will harm you the most.
But if a brew and mixture is made with the divine word and the statutes of men, you have immediately established a dominion, as the pope did, that whoever did not want to be obedient to him was condemned as a heretic, and with his preaching he brought about that the Antichrist became a lord over the church and blasphemed God and made us servants. So the bride of Christ is made a whore, just as it happens naturally; if a wife lets another to her, she is a whore. Thus the bridal chamber of Christ was made a whorehouse by the pope and the mobs, and many pious, chaste, chaste virgins were made whores. Therefore, see that the bridal chamber remains pure. If I do not seek God's glory and my neighbor's happiness with my gifts, I am condemned, just as you become an adulterer when you take another wife.
So learn that nothing should resound in the church but God's word alone. Otherwise
You are tired of talking about land and people, house and farm, each according to his status. But do not enter the Christian church with such filth! For there the word of God alone shall rule. There then remains God's praise and honor, and the neighbor's salvation and happiness. There you do not thank me, but the honor comes to the one who deserves it, namely God the Father through the Lord Christ. Then also give him thanks and praise 1) him that he has preached faithfully and you have listened.
The other part: "If anyone has an office, that he do it as from the wealth that God gives. Here, each one should think about what he is doing, so that it does not come from his own devotion or endowment. For God does not want anything else to be heard in the bridal chamber except God's word and His works, and what He does with her and creates. Otherwise she is a whore. Whoever wants to preach, counsel, comfort and instruct, let him distinguish himself so that he remains only with God's word.
So whoever does anything, let him do it from the power and ability that God provides. For this reason we boast so great and glorious that we have only God's word in our churches. But we are so ungrateful. We suffer nothing to be taught but the bad word of God. We don't want the charade of the pope and the cults. But we should do so: baptize, sit in confession, administer the sacrament. Where does the ability come from that a child, washed in baptism, should be clean from all its sins, and that I should put on its vest shirt as a sign? Now it is the work of the Holy Spirit when I baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Where does the great power come from that a sinful man should subject himself to such a power that he wants to baptize a child and save it from sins, death and the devil? This does not grow in his heart, but it corrupts from the fact that Christ says [Marc. 16, 15.]: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," so that through Jesus Christ we may be saved and God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, as St. Peter says; and yet this is what we must do.
1) "lobe" put by us instead of: "reward" at Buchwalk.
do. They say, "We baptize," but it is out of the wealth that God provides. If you are not sure that the ability is from God, then stop! It should be said: I do not baptize, and yet I baptize. It should be known that it is God's work and ability that I lay hands on you and absolve you, saying: "I absolve you of all your sins, be of good cheer! Why should you forgive sin and set your heart at peace with God? If I do it now out of my own wealth, I have blasphemed and profaned God, as the pope and the bishops do, who say: I alone am the high priest; if you put on a cap, you are blessed. No! Say thou, Where is the word of God? But the Holy Spirit, saith he, hath inspired me. Lie in the name of the devil! Thou hast not the power of God, but a noisome trumpery and monkey play. But they lead the saying [Matth. 16, 19.], "What thou shalt loose on earth, that shall be loosed also in heaven." We have this power, if we believe. It has power and emphasis. It is not ours, but His who says, "I give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" [Matt. 16:19]. If he wants to let it be solved and absolved, then it applies. What shall my absolving be, if he does not do it? God says to Moses: You shall not bless, I will bless. Therefore, one should not do anything in the church, unless one is sure that God will provide the means first. So, the pope says: The holy water has this power, this herb has that power. From where does the water and herb you consecrate have such power and authority to take away sin and drive out the devil? From where? Well, baptism, absolution, the Lord's Supper, the laying on of hands! Yes, but, my brother, this cannot be compared to that. The Lamb of God has no resemblance to consecration, 1) except from the devil.
Therefore, the bridal chamber should be kept pure, and nothing should be done, except to say that God speaks, baptizes, and administers the sacrament.
1) "Consecration" put by us instead of: "wine" by Buchwald.
are God's tongue, hand and instruments. So, if we ordain priests and command them to preach God's word and comfort the sick, how do I know that this is an ability? That St. Paul 1 Tim. 3, 1. says: "If anyone desires a bishop's office, he desires a goodly work." If he had not commanded that the church should raise up preachers, who would? In the church nothing is to be taught but the word of God, and there one does what he has ordered, and then each one thinks: I am in the state that God has established, whether I am a lord or a servant, a prince or a subject. Outside the church, where there is a house and court regiment, and even more so in the bridal chamber, one must know what God's word and work is.
"That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. This is how it should be. Let all things bring glory to God the Father, that he may be glorified. For the Word, the sacraments, absolution, matrimony, the power of the keys, are all God's work. But in the world we turn it around. Each one uses the gifts of God for his own glory and benefit, not for God's glory and his neighbor's blessedness. But in eternal life it will not be like that.
Now he decides that Christ is natural God, who shall have "honor" "from eternity to eternity". But he was born at the time of Augustus, so how can he be God from eternity? He is at the same time the only Son of God and also of the Virgin. From the Father he is born in eternity, but from Mary temporally, and are not two sons and Christ. For the Son of God is also the Son of Mary. He is not separated. Therefore it is said to the Hebrews [13, 8.], "JEsus Christ yesterday and today, and the same also forever!" And Peter above in the 1st chapter [v. 20]: "Who indeed was given before the foundation of the world was laid", and 1 Cor. 10, 9. Paul says that the children of Israel tempted Christ in the wilderness, and that he was also with them and led them out of Egypt. But he was not yet born a man at that time. But as long as the Godhead is, so long shall he also be the Son of Mary.