Luther's Little Instruction Book
(The Small Catechism of Martin
Luther, 1529)
Table of Contents
Preface of Dr. Martin Luther
Martin Luther - to All Faithful and Godly Pastors and Preachers: Grace,
Mercy, and Peace in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
1] The deplorable, miserable condition which I discovered lately
when I, too, was a visitor, has forced and urged me to prepare [publish]
this Catechism, or Christian doctrine, in this small, plain, simple form.
2] Mercy! Good God! what manifold misery I beheld! The common people,
especially in the villages, have no knowledge whatever of Christian
doctrine, and, alas! many pastors are altogether incapable and incompetent
to teach [so much so, that one is ashamed to speak of it].
3] Nevertheless, all maintain that they are Christians, have been baptized
and receive the [common] holy Sacraments. Yet they [_do not_ understand
and] cannot [_even_] recite either the Lord's Prayer, or the Creed, or the
Ten Commandments; they live like dumb brutes and irrational hogs; and
yet, now that the Gospel has come, they have nicely learned to abuse all
liberty like experts.
4] O ye bishops! [to whom this charge has been committed by God,]
what will ye ever answer to Christ for having so shamefully neglected the
people and never for a moment discharged your office? [You are the
persons to whom alone this ruin of the Christian religion is due.
5] You have permitted men to err so shamefully; yours is the guilt; for you
have ever done anything rather than what your office required you to do.]
May all misfortune flee you! [I do not wish at this place to invoke evil on
your heads.] You command the Sacrament in one form [but is not this the
highest ungodliness coupled with the greatest impudence that you are
insisting on the administration of the Sacrament in one form only, and on
your traditions] and insist on your human laws, and yet at the same time
you do not care in the least [while you are utterly without scruple and
concern] whether the people know the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Ten
Commandments, or any part of the Word of God. Woe, woe, unto you
forever!
6] Therefore I entreat [and adjure] you all for God's sake, my dear
sirs and brethren, who are pastors or preachers, to devote yourselves
heartily to your office, to have pity on the people who are entrusted to
you, and to help us inculcate the Catechism upon the people, and especially
upon the young. And let those of you who cannot do better [If any of you are
so unskilled that you have absolutely no knowledge of these matters, let
them not be ashamed to] take these tables and forms and impress them,
word for word, on the people, as follows:
7] In the first place, let the preacher above all be careful to avoid
many kinds of or various texts and forms of the Ten Commandments, the
Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the Sacraments, etc., but choose one form to
which he adheres, and which he inculcates all the time, year after year.
For [I give this advice, however, because I know that] young and simple
people must be taught by uniform, settled texts and forms, otherwise they
easily become confused when the teacher to-day teaches them thus, and in
a year some other way, as if he wished to make improvements, and thus
all effort and labor [which has been expended in teaching] is lost.
8] Also our blessed fathers understood this well; for they all used
the same form of the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments.
Therefore we, too, should [imitate their diligence and be at pains to] teach
the young and simple people these parts in such a way as not to change a
syllable, or set them forth and repeat them one year differently than in
another [no matter how often we teach the Catechism].
9] Hence, choose whatever form you please, and adhere to it forever.
But when you preach in the presence of learned and intelligent men, you
may exhibit your skill, and may present these parts in as varied and
intricate ways and give them as masterly turns as you are able.
10] But with the young people stick to one fixed, permanent form and
manner, and teach them, first of all, these parts, namely, the Ten
Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, etc., according to the text,
word for word, so that they, too, can repeat it in the same manner after
you and commit it to memory.
11] But those who are unwilling to learn it should be told that they deny
Christ and are no Christians, neither should they be admitted to the
Sacrament, accepted as sponsors at baptism, nor exercise any part of
Christian liberty, but should simply be turned back to the Pope and his
officials, yea, to the devil himself.
12] Moreover, their parents and employers should refuse them food and
drink, and [they would also do well if they were to] notify them that the
prince will drive such rude people from the country, etc.
13] For although we cannot and should not force any one to believe,
yet we should insist and urge the people that they know what is right and
wrong with those among whom they dwell and wish to make their living.
For whoever desires to reside in a town must know and observe the town
laws, the protection of which he wishes to enjoy, no matter whether he is
a believer or at heart and in private a rogue or knave.
14] In the second place, after they have well learned the text, then
teach them the sense also, so that they know what it means, and again
choose the form of these tables, or some other brief uniform method,
whichever you like, and adhere to it, and do not change a single syllable,
15] as was just said regarding the text; and take your time to it.
16] For it is not necessary that you take up all the parts at once, but one
after the other. After they understand the First Commandment well, then
take up the Second, and so on, otherwise they will be overwhelmed, so as
not to be able to retain any well.
17] In the third place, after you have thus taught them this Short
Catechism, then take up the Large Catechism, and give them also a richer
and fuller knowledge. Here explain at large every commandment, [article,]
petition, and part with its various works, uses, benefits, dangers, and
injuries, as you find these abundantly stated in many books written about
these matters.
18] And particularly, urge that commandment or part most which suffers
the greatest neglect among your people. For instance, the Seventh
Commandment, concerning stealing, must be strenuously urged among
mechanics and merchants, and even farmers and servants, for among these
people many kinds of dishonesty and thieving prevail. So, too, you must
urge well the Fourth Commandment among the children and the common
people, that they may be quiet and faithful, obedient and peaceable, and
you must always adduce many examples from the Scriptures to show how
God has punished or blessed such persons.
19] Especially should you here urge magistrates and parents to rule
well and to send their children to school, showing them why it is their
duty to do this, and what a damnable sin they are committing if they do
not do it. For by such neglect they overthrow and destroy both the kingdom
of God and that of the world, acting as the worst enemies both of God and
of men.
20] And make it very plain to them what an awful harm they are doing if
they will not help to train children to be pastors, preachers, clerks [also
for other offices, with which we cannot dispense in this life], etc., and
that God will punish them terribly for it. For such preaching is needed.
[Verily, I do not know of any other topic that deserves to be treated as
much as this.] Parents and magistrates are now sinning unspeakably in
this respect. The devil, too, aims at something cruel because of these
things [that he may hurl Germany into the greatest distress].
21] Lastly, since the tyranny of the Pope has been abolished, people
are no longer willing to go to the Sacrament and despise it [as something
useless and unnecessary]. Here again urging is necessary, however, with
this understanding:
22] We are to force no one to believe, or to receive the Sacrament, nor fix
any law, nor time, nor place for it, but are to preach in such a manner that
of their own accord, without our law, they will urge themselves and, as it
were, compel us pastors to administer the Sacrament. This is done by
telling them: Whoever does not seek or desire the Sacrament at least some
four times a year, it is to be feared that he despises the Sacrament and is
no Christian, just as he is no Christian who does not believe or hear the
Gospel; for Christ did not say, This omit, or, This despise, but, _This do
ye, as oft as ye drink it _, etc. Verily, He wants it done, and not entirely
neglected and despised. _This do ye _, He says.
23] Now, whoever does not highly value the Sacrament thereby shows that he
has no sin, no flesh, no devil, no world, no death, no danger, no hell;
that is, he does not believe any such things, although he is in them
over head and ears and is doubly the devil's own. On the other hand, he
needs no grace, life, Paradise, heaven, Christ, God, nor anything good. For
if he believed that he had so much that is evil, and needed so much that is
good, he would not thus neglect the Sacrament, by which such evil is
remedied and so much good is bestowed. Neither will it be necessary to
force him to the Sacrament by any law, but he will come running and
racing of his own accord, will force himself and urge you that you must
give him the Sacrament.
24] Hence, you must not make any law in this matter, as the Pope
does. Only set forth clearly the benefit and harm, the need and use, the
danger and the blessing, connected with this Sacrament, and the people
will come of themselves without your compulsion. But if they do not come,
let them go and tell them that such belong to the devil as do not regard nor
feel their great need and the gracious help of God.
25] But if you do not urge this, or make a law or a bane of it, it is your
fault if they despise the Sacrament. How could they be otherwise than
slothful if you sleep and are silent?
26] Therefore look to it, ye pastors and preachers. Our office is now
become a different thing from what it was under the Pope; it is now
become serious and salutary. Accordingly, it now involves much more
trouble and labor, danger and trials,
27] and, in addition thereto, little reward and gratitude in the world. But
Christ Himself will be our reward if we labor faithfully. To this end may
the Father of all grace help us, to whom be praise and thanks forever
through Christ, our Lord! Amen.
I. The Ten
Commandments: The Simple Way a Father Should Present
Them to His Household
A. The First Commandment
You must not have other gods.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.
B. The Second Commandment
You must not misuse your God's name.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
not use His name
to curse, swear, cast a spell, lie or deceive, but will use it to
call upon Him, pray to Him, praise Him and thank Him in all times
of trouble.
C. The Third Commandment
You must keep the Sabbath holy.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
not look down on
preaching or God's Word, but consider it holy, listen to it
willingly, and learn it.
D. The Fourth Commandment
You must honor your father and mother. [So that
things will go
well for you and you will live long on earth].
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
neither look down
on our parents or superiors nor irritate them, but will honor
them, serve them, obey them, love them and value them.
E. The Fifth Commandment
You must not kill.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
neither harm nor
hurt our neighbor's body, but help him and care for him when he is
ill.
F. The Sixth Commandment
You must not commit adultery.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that our words
and actions
will be clean and decent and so that everyone will love and honor
their spouses.
G. The Seventh Commandment
You must not steal.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
neither take our
neighbor's money or property, nor acquire it by fraud or by
selling him poorly made products, but will help him improve and
protect his property and career.
H. The Eighth Commandment
You must not tell lies about your neighbor.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
not deceive by
lying, betraying, slandering or ruining our neighbor's reputation,
but will defend him, say good things about him, and see the best
side of everything he does.
I. The Ninth Commandment
You must not desire your neighbor's house.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
not attempt to
trick our neighbor out of his inheritance or house, take it by
pretending to have a right to it, etc. but help him to keep &
improve it.
J. The Tenth Commandment
You must not desire your neighbor's wife,
servant, maid, animals
or anything that belongs to him.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We must fear and love God, so that we will
not release his
cattle, take his employees from him or seduce his wife, but urge
they to stay and do what they ought to do.
K. The Conclusion to the Commandments
Q. What does God say to us about all these commandments?
A. This is what He says:
``I am the Lord Your God. I am a jealous God. I plague the
grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me with
their ancestor's sin. But I make whole those who love me for a
thousand generations.''
Q. What does it mean?
A. God threatens to punish everyone who breaks
these commandments.
We should be afraid of His anger because of this and not violate
such commandments. But He promises grace and all good things to
those who keep such commandments. Because of this, we, too, should
love Him, trust Him, and willingly do what His commandments
require.
The Creed: The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
I. The First Article: On Creation
I believe in God the Almighty Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Q. What does this mean?
A. I believe that God created me, along with all creatures. He
gave to me: body and soul, eyes, ears and all the other parts of
my body, my mind and all my senses and preserves them as well. He
gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and land, wife
and children, fields, animals and all I own. Every day He
abundantly provides everything I need to nourish this body and
life. He protects me against all danger, shields and defends me
from all evil. He does all this because of His pure, fatherly and
divine goodness and His mercy, not because I've earned it or
desrved it. For all of this, I must thank Him, praise Him, serve
Him and obey Him. Yes, this is true!
II. The Second Article: On Redemption
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who
was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried, descended to Hell, on the third
day rose again from the dead, ascended to Heaven and sat down at the
right hand of God the Almighty Father. From there He will come to
judge the living and the dead.
Q. What does this mean? A. I believe that Jesus
Christ is truly
God, born of the Father in eternity and also truly man, born of
the Virgin Mary. He is my Lord! He redeemed me, a lost and
condemned person, bought and won me from all sins, death and the
authority of the Devil. It did not cost Him gold or silver, but
His holy, precious blood, His innocent body -- His death! Because
of this, I am His very own, will live under Him in His kingdom and
serve Him righteously, innocently and blessedly forever, just as
He is risen from death, lives and reigns forever. Yes, this is
true.
III. The Third Article: On Becoming Holy
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian
Church, the community
of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body,
and an everlasting life. Amen.
Q. What does this mean?
A. I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own
intellegence or power. But the Holy Spirit call me by the Gospel,
enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true
faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy
the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true
faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin
committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise
me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me
and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is true!
The Our Father
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
I. Introduction
Our Father, Who is in Heaven.
Q. What does this mean?
A. In this introduction, God invites us to
believe that He is our
real Father and we are His real children, so that we will pray
with trust and complete confidence, in the same way beloved
children approach their beloved Father with their requests.
II. The First Request
May Your name be holy.
Q. What does this mean?
A. Of course, God's name is holy in and of
itself, but by this
request, we pray that He will make it holy among us, too.
Q. How does this take place?
A. When God's Word is taught clearly and purely, and when we live
holy lives as God's children based upon it. Help us, Heavenly
Father, to do this! But anyone who teaches and lives by something
other than God's Word defiles God's name among us. Protect us from
this, Heavenly Father!
III. The Second Request
Your Kingdom come.
Q. What does this mean?
A. Truly God's Kingdom comes by itself, without
our prayer. But we
pray in this request that it come to us as well.
Q. How does this happen?
A. When the Heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that we
believe His holy Word by His grace and live godly lives here in
this age and there in eternal life.
IV. The Third Request
May Your will be accomplished, as it is Heaven, so may it be on Earth.
Q. What does this mean?
A. Truly, God's good and gracious will is accomplished without our
prayer. But we pray in this request that is be accomplished among
us as well.
Q. How does this happen?
A. When God destroys and interferes with every evil will and all
evil advice, which will not allow God's Kingdom to come, such as
the Devil's will, the world's will and will of our bodily desires.
It also happens when God strengthens us by faith and by His Word
and keeps living by them faithfully until the end of our lives.
This is His will, good and full of grace.
V. The Fourth Request
Give us our daily bread today.
Q. What does this mean?
A. Truly, God gives daily bread to evil people, even without our
prayer. But we pray in this request that He will help us realize
this and receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
Q. What does ``Daily Bread'' mean?
A. Everything that nourishes our body and meets its needs, such
as: Food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, yard, fields, cattle,
money, possessions, a devout spouse, devout children, devout
employees, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good
weather, peace, health, discipline, honor, good friends, faithful
neighbors and other things like these.
VI. The Fifth Request
And forgive our guilt, as we forgive those guilty of sinning against
us.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We pray in this request that our Heavenly Father will neither pay
attention to our sins nor refuse requests such as these because of our
sins and because we are neither worthy nor deserve the things for
which we pray. Yet He wants to give them all to us by His grace,
because many times each day we sin and truly deserve only punishment.
Because God does this, we will, of course, want to forgive from our
hearts and willingly do good to those who sin against us.
VII. The Sixth Request
And lead us not into temptation.
Q. What does this mean?
A. God tempts no one, of course, but we pray in this request that
God will protect us and save us, so that the Devil, the world and
our bodily desires will neither deceive us nor seduce us into
heresy, despair or other serious shame or vice, and so that we
will win and be victorious in the end, even if they attack us.
VIII. The Seventh Request
But set us free from the Evil One.
Q. What does this mean?
A. We pray in this request, as a summary, that our Father in
Heaven will save us from every kind of evil that threatens body,
soul, property and honor. We pray that when at last our final hour
has come, He will grant us a blessed death, and, in His grace,
bring us to Himself from this valley of tears.
IX. Amen.
Q. What does this mean?
A. That I should be certain that such prayers are acceptable to
the Father in Heaven and will be granted, that He Himself has
commanded us to pray in this way and that He promises to answer
us. Amen. Amen. This means: Yes, yes it will happen this way.
The Sacrament of Holy
Baptism:
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to His Household
I. Q. What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water contained
within God's command and united with God's Word.
Q. Which Word of God is this?
A. The one which our Lord Christ spoke in the last chapter of
Matthew:
``Go into all the world, teaching all heathen nations, and
baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.''
II. Q. What does Baptism give? What good is it?
A. It gives the forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the
Devil, gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, just
as God's words and promises declare.
Q. What are these words and promises of God?
A. Our Lord Christ spoke one of them in the last chapter of Mark:
``Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; but whoever
does not believe will be damned.''
III. Q. How can water do such great things?
A. Water doesn't make these things happen, of course. It is God's
Word, which is with and in the water. Because, without God's
Word, the water is plain water and not baptism. But with God's
Word it is a Baptism, a grace-filled water of life, a bath of
new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul said to Titus in the
third chapter:
``Through this bath of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
which He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our
Savior, that we, justified by the same grace are made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful
saying.''
IV. Q. What is the meaning of such a water
Baptism?
A. It means that the old Adam in us should be drowned by daily
sorrow and repentance, and die with all sins and evil lusts,
and, in turn, a new person daily come forth and rise from
death again. He will live forever before God in righteousness
and purity.
Q. Where is this written?
A. St. Paul says to the Romans in chapter six:
``We are buried with Christ through Baptism into death, so
that, in the same way Christ is risen from the dead by the
glory of the Father, thus also must we walk in a new life.''
How One Should Teach the Uneducated to Confess
I. Q. What is confession?
A. Confession has two parts:
First, a person admits his sin
Second, a person receives absolution or
forgiveness from the
confessor, as if from God Himself, without doubting it, but
believing firmly that his sins are forgiven by God in Heaven
through it.
II. Q. Which sins should people confess?
A. When speaking to God, we should plead guilty
to all sins, even
those we don't know about, just as we do in the ``Our
Father,'' but when speaking to the confessor, only the sins we
know about, which we know about and feel in our hearts.
Q. Which are these?
A. Consider here your place in life according to
the Ten
Commandments. Are you a father? A mother? A son? A daughter?
A husband? A wife? A servant? Are you disobedient, unfaithful
or lazy? Have you hurt anyone with your words or actions? Have
you stolen, neglected your duty, let things go or injured
someone?
The Sacrament of the
Altar:
The Simple Way a Father Should Present it to his Household
I. Q. What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
A. It is the true body and blood of our Lord
Jesus Christ under
bread and wine for us Christians to eat and to drink,
established by Christ Himself.
II. Q. Where is that written?
A. The holy apostles Matthew, Mark and Luke and
St. Paul
write this:
``Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night on which
He was betrayed,
took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to His disciples and
said: ``Take! Eat! This is My body, which is given for you. Do
this to remember Me!'' In the same way He also took the cup after
supper, gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: ``Take and drink
from it, all of you! This cup is the New Testament in my blood,
which is shed for you to forgive sins. This do, as often as you
drink it, to remember Me!''
III. Q. What good does this eating and drinking do?
A. These words tell us: ``Given for you'' and
``Shed for you to
forgive sins.'' Namely, that the forgiveness of sins, life and
salvation are given to us through these words in the
sacrament. Because, where sins are forgiven, there is life and
salvation as well.
IV. Q. How can physical eating and drinking do such great things?
A. Of course, eating and drinking do not do
these things. These
words, written here, do them: ``given for you'' and ``shed for
you to forgive sins.'' These words, along with physical eating
and drinking are the important part of the sacrament. Anyone
who believes these words has what they say and what they
record, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
V. Q. Who, then, receives such a sacrament in a worthy way?
A. Of course, fasting and other physical
preparations are
excellent disciplines for the body. But anyone who believes
these words, ``Given for you,'' and ``Shed for you to forgive
sins,'' is really worthy and well prepared. But whoever
doubts or does not believe these words is not worthy and is
unprepared, because the words, ``for you'' demand a heart that
fully believes.
How a Father Should
Teach His Household
to Conduct Morning and Evening Devotions.
Morning Devotions
As soon as you get out of bed in the morning,
you should bless
yourself with the sign of the Holy Cross and say:
May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be
done! Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and pray the Lord's
Prayer. If you wish, you may then pray this little prayer as well:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your
beloved Son, that You kept me safe from all evil and danger last
night. Save me, I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so
that all I do and the way that I live will please you. I put
myself in your care, body and soul and all that I have. Let Your
holy Angels be with me, so that the evil enemy will not gain power
over me. Amen.
After that, with joy go about your work and
perhaps sing a song
inspired by the Ten Commandments or your own thoughts.
The Evening Devotions
When you go to bed in the evening, you should
bless yourself with
the sign of the Holy Cross and say:
May the will of God, the Father, the Son and the
Holy Spirit be
done! Amen.
Then, kneeling or standing, say the creed and
pray the Lord's
Prayer. If you wish, then you may pray this little prayer as well:
My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through Jesus Christ, Your
beloved Son, that You have protected me, by Your grace. Forgive, I
pray, all my sins and the evil I have done. Protect me, by Your
grace, tonight. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all
that I have. Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the evil
enemy will not gain power over me. Amen.
After this, go to sleep immediately with joy.
How a Father Should
Teach His Household
to say Grace and Return Thanks at Meals:
The children and servants should come to the
table modestly and
with folded hands and say:
All eyes look to you, O Lord, and You give
everyone food at the
right time. You open Your generous hands and satisfy the hunger of
all living things with what they desire.
Note:
"What they desire" means that all
animals get so much to eat, that
they are happy and cheerful. Because, worry and greed interferes
with such desires.
After this, pray the Lord's Prayer and the following prayer:
Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless us and these
gifts, which we
receive from Your generous hand, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Appendix II
The Small Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther
Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau
Published in: Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 561-563
TABLE OF DUTIES,
1] Consisting of Certain Passages of Scripture for Various Holy Orders
and Stations, Whereby These are to be Admonished, as by a Special Lesson,
Regarding Their Office and Service.
FOR BISHOPS, PASTORS, AND PREACHERS.
2] A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of
good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no
striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not
covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in
subjection with all gravity; not a novice; holding fast the faithful Word as
he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort
and to convince the gainsayers. 1 Tim. 3, 2ff; Titus 1, 6.
WHAT THE HEARERS OWE TO THEIR PASTORS.
3] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should
live of the Gospel. 1 Cor. 9, 14. Let him that is taught in the Word
communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Gal. 6, 6. Let the
elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they
who labor in the Word and doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not
muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn; and the laborer is worthy of his
reward. 1 Tim. 5, 17. 18. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit
yourselves; for they watch for your souls as they that must give account,
that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable
for you. Heb. 13, 17.]
CONCERNING CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
4] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which
exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power
resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnation. For he heareth not the sword in vain; for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom. 13, 1-4.
WHAT SUBJECTS OWE TO THE MAGISTRATES.
5] Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's. Matt. 22, 21. Let
every soul be subject unto the higher powers, etc. Wherefore ye must
needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For, for
this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending
continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute
to whom tribute is due; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear;
honor, to whom honor. Rom. 13, 1. 5ff. I exhort, therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for
all men; for kings and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Tim. 2, 1f Put them
in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, etc. Titus 3, 1. Submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to
the king as supreme, or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him,
etc. 1 Pet. 2, 13f ]
FOR HUSBANDS.
6] Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving
honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Pet. 3, 7.
And be not bitter against them. Col. 3, 9.
FOR WIVES.
7] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord,
even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters ye are,
as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 1 Pet. 3, 6;
Eph. 5, 22.
FOR PARENTS.
8] Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord. Eph. 6, 4.
FOR CHILDREN.
9] Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy
father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it
may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Eph. 6, 1-3.
FOR MALE AND FEMALE SERVANTS, HIRED MEN, AND
LABORERS.
10] Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service as to
the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man
doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Eph. 6, 5ff.; Col. 3, 22.
FOR MASTERS AND MISTRESSES.
11] Ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening,
knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of
persons with Him. Eph. 6, 9; Col. 4, 1.
FOR YOUNG PERSONS IN GENERAL.
12] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you
be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth
the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. 1 Pet. 5,
5. 6.
FOR WIDOWS.
13] She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and
continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth
in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 1 Tim. 5, 5. 6.
FOR ALL IN COMMON.
14] Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Herein are comprehended all
the commandments. Rom. 13, 8ff. And persevere in prayer for all men.
1 Tim. 2, 1. 2.
Let each his lesson learn with care,
And all the household well shall fare.
______________________________________________________________________
This text was translated in 1994 for Project Wittenberg by Robert
E. Smith and has been placed in the public domain by him. You may
freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any
comments or suggestions to:
Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
Concordia Theological Seminary
E-mail: CFWLibrary@CRF.CUIS.EDU
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN
46825 USA
Phone: (219) 481-2123 Fax: (219) 481-2126
______________________________________________________________________
The Life and Times of Martin Luther by J.H. Merle D'Aubigne - Index Page
Gupta Electronic Edition (C) 2001 - About