PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Author: revblanken

  • Notes and Useful Applications for 1 Corinthians 4:1–5 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading of the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete), 1 Corinthians 4:1–5, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. A statement against those who had low regard for Paul and the other apostles. (v. 1–13)

    Annotated Text

    1. Therefore, let everyone consider us as * Christ’s servants and stewards over God’s mysteries (in the preaching of the Gospel and the distribution of the Holy Sacraments in the house of God, that is, the Christian Church, 1 Timothy 3:15. Luther: “The mystery is the Gospel, in which the divine goods are hidden and expressed to us.”).

    * Matthew 16:19; Colossians 1:25 (2 Corinthians 4:5)

    2. Now nothing more is to be sought in stewards than they * be found faithful (in their office; and not that they all together are adorned with high exceptional gifts).

    * Luke 12:42

    3. But for me it is a small matter (I do not consider it a high matter), that I be judged (in an inconsiderate manner) by you (that you at one time criticize this lack or that lack in me, especially, that my speech is despisable, 2 Corinthians 10:10, and that I do not preach with lofty words and high wisdom, 1 Corinthians 2:1), or by a human day1 (that other men hold me highly and praise out of favor, Jeremiah 17:16), I do not even judge myself (how high I am to be regarded on account of the gifts God has granted to me and how much I have labored; much less is it fitting for you to judge me).

    (2 Corinthians 6:8; Job 9:2ff; Psalm 103:3; Psalm 143:2)

    1 * Even if I am otherwise judged in an ordinary court.

    4. I1 am aware of nothing against myself (no unfaithfulness or willful negligence in my office or any other gross sin);2 but in this * I am not (by God) justified (as if nothing at all were lacking in me and I could therefore stand before God’s judgment by my own righteousness); but it is the † Lord (namely, Jesus Christ, the judge of the whole world) who judges me (who will judge me at His time, namely, on the Last Day, when He then, according to His promise, not only will publicly my diligence in my call which has flowed forth from faith before all angels and men, but rather He will also richly reward me from pure grace).

    1 Greek: “For I” [γὰρ]

    2 * (I therefore do not shrink back from this either)

    * Exodus 34:7

    † Psalm 35:24 (Job 27:6; John 5:27)

    5. Therefore, do not judge1 (out of curiosity and inconsiderateness) before the time until the Lord comes (on the Last Day), which will also bring to light (reveal) what is hidden in darkness (and is carried out and maintained in great secrecy) and reveal the council of hearts (what each has thought and had in mind and with what intention and opinion that one has done this or that);2 then each one’s (each faithful servant of Christ and steward of God, 1 Corinthians 4:1) praise (and wage) will befall him from God.

    (Matthew 7:1; Romans 2:5, 16; Romans 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12)

    1 Greek : “in no way,” or “in no part”

    2 Greek: “and” [καὶ]

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That we ought to give due honor to teachers and preachers because they are Christ’s servants and (spiritual) stewards over God’s mysteries, that is, over the Holy Word of God, wherein the same mysteries are revealed to us and the heavenly benefits are set forth. (v. 1)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 11:11–15 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Wednesday of Populus/Filia Zion (the Second Week of Advent), Matthew 11:11–15, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. A glorious testimony of Christ concerning John [the Baptist]. (v. 7–15)

    Annotated Text

    11. “Truly, I say to you, * among all those born of women (according to the common course of nature), there is not one (anyone) who has arisen who (on account of his office) is greater (more eminent) than John the Baptist; but He who is the Least (indeed, smaller) in the Kingdom of Heaven (in the Kingdom of God. Luther: “This is Christ,” who has humiliated himself to the lowest point) is greater than him (for He is not only true man, but also true God in unity of person, who is not only a Prophet and Teacher, but rather also the Mediator, Redeemer, and Savior; He is not the friend of the Bridegroom, as John, but rather is the Bridegroom Himself, John 3:29).

    * Luke 7:28

    12. Now from the days of John the Baptist (from the time in which he began to carry out his office) until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence (the Kingdom of God is preached through the Gospel, and everyone pressed into it with force, Luke 16:16. The people receive the Gospel with great zeal, as one takes a city by force. Luther: “The consciences, when they perceive the Gospel, press toward it, so that no one can resist them.”), and the violent (the repentant sinners, who in true faith stand against the temptations through the power of the Spirit, crucify the wicked lusts of the sinful flesh [Galatians 5:24], and contend gallantly) snatch it to themselves (they press themselves into the Kingdom of Heaven, from which it sufficiently appears that John had accomplished great benefits through his teaching and baptizing).1

    (Matthew 21:31–32)

    1 Greek: Alternatively, “The Kingdom of Heaven presses in with force, and (everyone, Luke 16:16, also) uses force (or have used force up to this point—evil people, tax collectors, soldiers, sinners, indeed, even the Gentiles press into it with force, and) snatch it to themselves (make themselves partakers of it with great zeal, and in this go before the high priests, the scribes, and the Pharisees).”

    13. For all the prophets and the Law had prophesied (that Christ shall come) until John (who pointed to Christ being present).

    14. And, if you are willing to receive it (and believe it) * he (John) is Elijah, who is to come (He is the one of whom the prophet Malachi had prophesied that He shall come in the Spirit and power of Elijah before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord).

    * Malachi 4:5; Matthew 17:12 (Mark 9:13; Luke 1:17)

    15. He who has ears to hear, let him hear (mark this and take it to heart, and do not wait with the Pharisees for Elijah the Tishbite to come again on earth in his own person again, or otherwise for the Kingdom of Heaven to appear with worldly pageantry).”

    * Mark 7:16 (Luke 8:8)

    Useful Applications

    II. DOCTRINE: That Christ is the least in the Kingdom of Heaven, and yet at the same time greater than John (who is esteemed by Christ as the greatest among all men); He is the least according to His humanity in the state of humiliation, He is the greatest according to His eternal divinity. (v. 11)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Malachi 4:1–6 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Old Testament Reading for the Wednesday of Populus/Filia Zion (the Second Week of Advent), Malachi 4:1–6, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. A sharp admonition and threat against the despisers, and a promise for the pious. (v. 1–3) II. An admonition from the Law. (v. 4) III. A prophecy concerning John the Baptist and his office. (v. 5–6)

    Annotated Text

    1. “For behold, a day is coming, burning like an oven (in which the Lord’s wrath will burn against the unrepentant, stiff-necked Jews and will consume them together with their temple, cities, and land as fire burns something up in an oven), then all despisers (of Christ and His Word) and (the) godless shall be as stubble, and the coming day will set them on fire,” says the Lord of Sabaoth, “and it will leave neither root nor branch (God will leave to the Jewish people neither a kingdom nor a priesthood, but rather will completely uproot them so that they shall never more come up, just as a tree who has no root cannot ever sprout forth again. However, because the unbelieving Jews still must await the hardest judgment and worst punishment on the Last Day, this prophetic text can at the same also be applied to the final Day of Judgment, in which all the godless together with them shall be destroyed and tossed into the hellish fire).1

    (Psalm 1:4; Isaiah 1:31, 5:24)

    1 † See Isaiah 66:24, where the prophecy is to be taken exactly in its scope [literal sense?].

    2. But for you, who fear My name, * the Sun of Righteousness (Christ Jesus, the Light of the world, John 8:12, and the bright Morningstar, Revelation 22:16, shall rise in your hearts, 2 Peter 1:19, enlighten them with the saving knowledge of God, make them alive and gladden them through His merit and costly-purchased righteousness, warm them through His Spirit, and make them fruitful for all good works) shall arise with salvation in His wings (that is, His rays.1 Just as the sun gives light, warmth, and light to the creatures on earth through its rays, thus Christ will impart spiritual life and eternal salvation to believers through the Word of the Gospel and through the Holy Sacraments), and you shall go out and come in (and find pasture, John 10:9. Christ will also be your Shepherd, who will lead you to the wholesome, fruitful pasture of His Word, under whose protection you will be secure, and your soul will be able to graze) and † increase like the stall-fed calves (you will grow daily in the saving knowledge of God and Christ, His Son, and leap and spring in faith for joy like the stall-fed calves that have feed to the full).

    * Luke 1:78

    † Isaiah 55:2 (Psalm 84:12; Isaiah 53:11; Daniel 9:24; Psalm 23:1ff.)

    1 † Because several parables are set together among the prophets in the east, so also here could the expression “under the wings” (Matthew 23:37) take place in its proper understanding

    3. You will trample the godless, for they shall be ashes under your feet on the day in which I will do this (you will, in the power of the victory which Christ has obtained for you and for your good against sin, death, devil, and hell, also overcome enemies through faith and tread them under your feet as earth and ashes, Psalm 91:13; Luke 10:19; Romans 16:20. Also, no bodily enemy, no tyrant, will overpower you or take your salvation from you, but in Christ and through Christ you will overcome them all),” says the Lord of Sabaoth.

    (Isaiah 25:10; Zechariah 10:5)

    4. “Remember the * Law of Moses, my (faithful) servant, which I commanded him at Mount Horeb to all Israel, together with the commandments and laws (diligently keep the Ten Commandments, the ecclesial laws, and the civil laws which I have given to you through My servant Moses on Mount Horeb, otherwise called Sinai. Because Malachi was the last prophet of the Old Testament, he therefore wanted with this admonition, so to speak, seal and close it, for the Jews were to be guarded and shut up under the Mosaic Law for the faith that would be revealed, and the Law was to be their disciplinarian to Christ, Galatians 3:23–24). He then should afterward bring forth the doctrine of the Gospel1 from the bosom of His heavenly Father, John 1:18.

    * Exodus 20:1ff. (Hebrews 3:5)

    1 † Because the commandments and laws (that is, the Levitical and civil law) are particularly mentioned, so there is no doubt that along with the very earnest command and warning (Deuteronomy 18:18ff.), here the types hidden beneath them are also pointed out (cf. John 5:46ff.).

    5. Behold, I * will send you the prophet Elijah (John the Baptist, who will rebuke the false doctrine and the godless life unafraid in the Spirit and power of Elijah) before then comes the great and terrible day of the Lord (the day of the first coming of Christ, which was a great and glorious day because Christ obtained great treasures and glorious benefits for believers on that day; however, it was a terrible day for the devil and all his hellish power, because Christ came to execute vengeance against him, Isaiah 61:2, to crush his head, Genesis 3:15, and to destroy his kingdom along with his works, 1 John 3:8).

    * Matthew 11:14, 17:12 (Mark 9:12–13)

    6. He shall convert the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers (in a similar manner as the prophet Elijah with great zeal rebuked and abolished the idolatry of Baal, and led them back to the old true religion to which the old patriarchs were devoted, 1 Kings 18:39, so also will John the Baptist likewise zealously rebuke the false doctrine of the Pharisees and scribes and convert the people again to the true God, whom their forefathers had served according to His Word.1 Therefore, you Jews, listen to John the Baptist and follow his teaching, and with true faith receive the Messiah, whom he will point to with his finger [John 1:29–31]), so that I do not come and strike2 earth with the ban (so that I may not destroy you and hurl you into eternal condemnation on account of your unbelief).

    (Luke 1:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 10:18–31)

    1 † Which includes the parents with the children, and the children with the parents, that is, all of them together (cf. Matthew 3:5). This adheres more closely to the Hebrew עַל which happens often in this understanding (see Genesis 32:12; Exodus 20:5; and Judges 15:8).

    2 † This last thing (alas!), the sad outcome has demonstrated. See Deuteronomy 32.

  • Martin Chemnitz’s Explanation and Sermon Outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent

    The following is my translation of Martin Chemnitz’s explanation and sermon outline for the Gospel of the Second Sunday of Advent, Luke 21:25–33, as found in his Postilla, pgs. 42–43. Chemnitz uses a composite text based upon Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17, and Luke 24. Curly brackets indicate marginal notes in the original text. Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions.

    Image found in Chemnitz’s Postilla, pg. 40

    Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent

    Explanation of the Gospel

    {In which part of our Catechism this Gospel belongs}

    The doctrine of today’s Gospel belongs in the [second] article of our Christ faith, which reads, “I believe that our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten Son, became man for my sake, and through His suffering and death, He has paid for and made satisfaction for my sins and the sins of the entire world, He rose again the third day from the dead, and ascended into heaven, from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.” And the order of the doctrine in the Sunday gospels proceeds finely after one another, as in this way the dear ancients [i.e., the Church Fathers] have ordered the texts of the Sunday gospels so that either the following gospel explains the one that precedes it, or as far as the doctrine is concerned, that it follows upon what precedes.

    {A summary repetition of the doctrine for the First Sunday of Advent [Ad Te Levavi]}

    Thus, eight days ago from today, we heard in the Gospel for the First Sunday [of Advent] about the first coming of the Lord Christ, which has not only happened once when He came in the flesh in a visible manner, when He Himself taught and preached, and also finally accomplished the work of redemption, but rather, which still happens to this day and endures until the end of the world [Matthew 28:20], when He comes to us through the Word and His Holy Sacraments in all grace so that He might call us from all our sins, from death, from the devil, and from hell, so that we may once again be reconciled with the dear God, and may come to eternal life. And this doctrine concerning the first coming of the Lord Christ serves to this end, that we not neglect the time of grace, but rather that we recognize our king, embrace Him, seek Him, receive Him, serve Him, and be thankful.

    {The Second Sunday of Advent concerning the coming of Christ for judgment, as it follows after the First [Sunday]}

    This doctrine was presented to us eight days ago. Upon this now follows today’s Gospel, which further instructs us, that, if we do not receive the time of grace, nor make right use of it, then we must further learn from God’s Word and allow ourselves to be instructed what will then one day follow after it, namely, that God at times punishes those who despise His Word in this life, although not all.

    {The good fortune of the godless offends the pious.}

    With most people it goes in such a way that the pious complain that things go better for the wicked and the godless than they do for God-fearers, which often causes great offense. Likewise, when pious Christians hear that their King is coming to them with many goods and treasures which He wants to bring to His subjects, yet which nevertheless is not fulfilled in this life, then they think that nothing will come of it, that these are only empty words, and there is nothing behind it, only “good words of Paul” (bona verba Pauli), as the scoffers are accustomed to speak concerning the comfort of the Gospel.

    {The godless despisers will be punished on the Last Day.}

    Then comes this Gospel and gives us a beautiful instruction and says: There will come a different day, a different time, when the heavens will crack open and the elements will be melted [2 Peter 3:10], and then it will be said: those who have received the King, they will stand on that day, but those who neglected and despised Him, of them it will be said, “And the people will be terrified on earth and will languish.” [~Luke 21:26?]

    {To what end Christ has His coming preached}

    This is the first thing that we ought to consider in today’s Gospel. And because much depends on this for us—that we may rightly prepare ourselves for that day of the last coming of the Lord Christ of which we can have no certain proper report as to when He will come, and, although God in His Word has wanted to reveal to no one the time and hour when this day shall come, even the angels themselves [Matthew 24:36]—so the Son of God nevertheless does this for our good when He first tells us beforehand that this day will certainly come. Thereafter, He also clearly and properly recorded the signs which will precede the Last day and by which one can know that the [Last] Day is not very far; for in addition He has also described how things will proceed on that [Day], as to how the Judgment will be held, what pertains to the process, but especially in what manner the Son of Man will come, namely, in great power and glory, that there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars, how the earth and all that is in it will be burned up, that men will tremble, and that the waters will roar. However, the foremost reason for which the Lord reports this is as Mark describes, “Take heed, watch, and pray, for you do not know in which hour the Son of Man will come. What I say to you, I say to all. Watch yourselves that your heart not be weighed down with feasting and drinking, and the cares of sustenance.” (Mark 13[:33–37], [Luke 21:34])

    Concerning these points, we want to hear a brief instruction in today’s Gospel.

    Division of the Sermon [Sermon Outline]

    1. When we heard eight days ago that the King is present with many goods and treasures which the world does not regard, and yet the pious often think that because they do not receive the goods from Him into their hands in this life and that therefore it is nothing and everything said to us concerning this King is in vain; that we, on the contrary, know that it will not remain so for all time, but rather the end will carry the burden (das Ende wirdt die Last tragen), when the day comes which God has appointed in which our King will no longer come in a poor miserable form as He once did at the time to the Jews, but rather with great power and glory to judge the entire world, as St. Paul says in Acts 17[:31], that all creatures will tremble because of it, and then the godless will learn who He is whom they now utterly despise and the pious will find that they have not believed in Him and hoped in Him in vain.
    2. How each person, to whom his salvation is dear, ought to prepare for it and make himself ready for the time, so that the Day of the Lord may not come upon him unexpectedly, because He will come suddenly and when one expects it the least, as a thief in the night, or as lightning, or as the birds are caught; and what things one should be diligent in, namely, three things: (1) that we guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance; (2) that we watch, prepare, and arm ourselves with everything that serves to this end so that we may be fitted and ready to stand on that day; and (3) that we pray that God would make us fit for all of this, because our guarding and watching will otherwise not accomplish it (außmachen; [read ausführen]).
    3. How finally, we ought not fear this day, nor be terrified of it, but rather rejoice and lift up our heads, because this day is not a day of wrath (ein Tag des Zorns) for us as it is for the godless, but it is a day of refreshment (ein Tag der Erquickung), a day when everything will be restored to us which may have been lacking to us in this life.

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 15:4–13 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Romans 15:4–13, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. A proof from the example of Christ. (v. 1–13)

    Annotated Text

    4. Now whatever was written * beforehand (in the Psalms of David and other books of Holy Scripture concerning Christ and other articles of our Christian faith) was written for our instruction, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scripture (through patience which grows out of the comforting sayings of Scripture) would have (no one therefore may think that what is written about Christ does not concern us, but rather that we also are hereby directed to Christian patience with the weak) hope (of the redemption from all crosses and of eternal life).

    * Romans 4:23–24; 1 Corinthians 10:11 (2 Timothy 3:16)

    5. Now may the God of patience and comfort (who imparts patience and comfort to His own in the power of the Holy Spirit through His Word) grant you that * you be of a single mind among one another1 (and do not stir up quarrels among one another on account of differing uses of middle things, but rather bear with one another and yield to one another) according to Jesus Christ (according to Christ’s teaching and example);

    * Philippians 3:16ff. (Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Psalm 133:1)

    Greek: “in the same way, be minded among one another and toward one another” [τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν ἀλλήλοις]

    6. that you praise and single-mindedly with one mouth (and heart) praise the God and Father (God, the Lord, who is the Father) of our Lord Jesus Christ (to whose praise and honor all your doings ought to be directed).

    (Acts 1:14, 4:24)

    7. Therefore, receive one another among yourselves, just as1 Christ has received you (and us all) to God’s praise (that we, for this our redemption which has happened through Christ, praise God the Lord here temporally and there eternally and thank Him and also show much patience to our neighbor Christians to the same end).

    (Romans 14:1ff.)

    1 Greek: “also” [καὶ]

    8. Now I say (Luther: “This is the summary of summaries of this epistle: Both Jews and Gentiles shall be saved, etc.”), that Jesus Christ became * a servant of the circumcision (Luther: “Servant, that is, apostle, preacher, and messenger, sent personally to the Jews and not to the Gentiles), for the sake of the truth of God, to confirm (to fulfill) † the promises made to the fathers. (Christ has deemed the Jews worthy in a high way, those to whom He was especially promised, that He, in His own person, preached the Gospel to them; therefore, the Gentiles ought not despise them on account of the fact that they still observe some things from the Levitical Law.)

    * Matthew 15:24

    † Acts 3:25

    9. But that the Gentiles praise God for the sake of * His mercy (which they have obtained from God through Christ; therefore, because Christ also received the Gentiles into grace and has had the Gospel preached to them through His apostles, the Jews ought not despise them as strangers of the testaments of the promise; on the other hand, those converts from the Gentiles ought to patiently endure that weakness of the [Jews], when they cannot resign themselves at once to the freedom of Christians from the Mosaic  ordinances), as it stands written: “Therefore, I (Christ) will praise You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name (I will have the Gospel preached also among the Gentiles and thereby work in their hearts that they may rightly know You, My heavenly Father, and may also praise and extol Your name).”

    * Romans 11:30

    † Psalm 18:50; 2 Samuel 22:50 (Ephesians 2:16)

    10. And once more * He says (Christ through Moses), “Rejoice you Gentiles with His people (as fellow-partakers of His people).”

    * Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 67:5

    11. And once more (through David), * “Praise the Lord, all Gentiles, and praise Him all peoples.”

    * Psalm 117:1

    12. And once more * says Isaiah, “There shall be the † Root of Jesse (Christ, in the time of the New Testament, will spring forth from the root of Jesse, that is, from the lineage of David, the Son of Jesse), and the one who will arise to rule (in His Kingdom of grace through His Word and Spirit) over the Gentiles (who will stand as “a banner for the peoples,” as the words in the prophet read, [Isaiah 11:10]); in Him will the Gentiles hope (and seek Him, as the prophet says).”

    * Isaiah 11:10

     Revelation 5:5 (22:16)

    13. Now the God of hope (the one who works hope and all Christian virtues in believers) fill you with all (spiritual) * joy and peace (the peace which springs forth from peace with God) in faith, that you have1 (receive in your hearts) the full hope (of eternal salvation) through the power of the Holy Spirit.

    * Romans 14:17

    1 Greek: “overflowingly,” that is, “that you do still more than I say to you in the hope, etc.”

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That the Holy Divine Scripture was given to us so that we might have patience, comfort, and the hope of eternal life among the tribulations of this life through its teaching and instruction. (v. 4)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Luke 21:25–33 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for the Second Sunday of Advent (Populus Zion), Luke 21:25–33, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. A prophecy concerning the end of the world, in which signs are recounted in like manner. (v. 25–38)

    Annotated Text

    25. “And * there will be seen signs in the sun, moon, and stars (for the sun and the moon will lose their radiance and the stars will fall from heaven); and there will be anxiety among the people1 (especially the godless), and they will be timid (so that they do not know what to do); † and the sea and the waves will roar (The waters will burst forth, destroy land and people, and otherwise roar and rage in terrible unheard ways).

    * Isaiah 31:10; Matthew 24:29

    1 Greek: “the peoples” [ἐθνῶν]

    † Psalm 46:4 (Mark 13:24; Joel 3:4; Revelation 6:12)

    26. And men will be * languishing from fear and from expectation of the things which are shall come upon the earth (on account of the terrifying signs; therefore, the people on earth will have to wait for nothing other than the Last Day and the end of the world); for even the powers of the heavens will be shaken (the heavens with their stars will not be as powerful as before for warmth, fruitfulness, and for hidden workings).

    * Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 24:23

    27. And * then (immediately after these preceding signs) they (the people on earth) will see the Son of Man (Christ in His assumed humanity) coming in the clouds with great power and glory (He will allow His divine omnipotence and glory communicated to Him according to His human nature to be seen and heard everywhere).

    * Daniel 7:13 (Matthew 26:64)

    28. But when you see these things begin to happen (do not wait only for the last moment, but rather when you see beforehand these things that are preached come into fulfillment more and more), so (you believers) look up (be renewed in your courage), and raise your heads (and hearts with joyful confidence and heartfelt longing), * for your redemption (indeed more and more) draws near (because it is present that through the Last Day you shall be completely delivered from all evil, Romans 8:23).”

    * Romans 8:21, 23

    29. And He (Christ) spoke to them a parable (how to recognize the presence of the Last Day), * “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

    * Matthew 24:32 (Mark 13:28)

    30. When they are already budding, you see in them and take note that summer is now near.

    31. So also you (believers and pious people), when you see all these things happening, then know that the Kingdom of God is near (do not be all to terrified at the signs previously recounted, but rather assure and comfort yourselves that you shall soon be relocated into the kingdom of eternal joy and glory and shall have your joyful everlasting summer there).

    32. Truly, * I say to you, this generation (of the Jews) will not pass away (not entirely be eradicated, but rather wander about, scattered here and there), until all this happens (until the Last Day shall come upon the previously mentioned signs).

    * Matthew 24:34ff.

    33. * Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words † will not pass away.

    * Luke 16:17; Psalm 102:27; Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 5:18

    † Isaiah 40:8

    34. But guard yourselves, that your hearts are not weighed down (that they cannot lift themselves to God on high with devotion in prayer, faith, hope, etc.) with * gluttony and drunkenness, and with cares of sustenance, and the day (the day of judgment) comes upon you quickly.

    * Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18 (1 Thessalonians 5:5ff.; 1 Peter 4:7ff.)

    35. For * it will come as a snare upon all who dwell on earth (just as a bird-catcher casts the net unexpectedly and swiftly over the birds when they hop about on the ground, pick up the grains, and fear no evil, so also when the godless and the earthly minded children of the world are secure, gorging and getting and drunk, and indulging in the lusts of this world, they will be suddenly and unexpectedly trapped and startled by the Last Day).

    * 1 Thessalonians 5:3 (2 Peter 3:10)

    36. So now you therefore be vigorous (vigilant) at all times (flee security and live always in Christian preparedness), and pray, that you may be worthy (deemed worthy by God by grace), to escape all these things that (before and on the Last Day, in a terrible manner, especially with swift abruptness, v. 35) shall happen, and to stand1 before the Son of Man (that you may appear before the judgment seat of Christ with a joyful countenance and a good conscience and not be rejected by Him with the godless, Psalm 1:5; Wisdom 5:1).”

    (Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Mark 13:34ff; Revelation 3:2, 16:15)

    1 * “to persist,” see Psalm 1:5

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: That one ought to expect the Last Day at all times, and that we ought to guard ourselves against gluttony, drunkenness, and the cares of sustenance (or avarice) so that the Last Day may not overtake us while we are unprepared, for by these things the hearts of men are weighed down and many damnable sins are committed. (v. 34)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 3:1–6 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel for Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi, Matthew 3:1–6, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    John, the Preacher in the Wilderness, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld

    I. Concerning the person of John the Baptist, as to what constituted his office, doctrine, food, and clothing. (v. 1–4), and II. Concerning the great influx of the people to John, and how he on such occasion preached against the hypocrisy of the Jews. (v. 5–12)

    Annotated Text

    1. At that time1 (when Christ was almost thirty years old, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, when Pilate was the Roman governor, and Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, Luke 3:1–2, but the Lord Jesus still kept Himself at Nazareth) * came (appeared or emerged) John (a son of the priest Zachariah, who had begotten him with his old housewife Elizabeth, Luke 1:24, 57) the Baptist (who is called thus on account of the baptism which he carried out at God’s command at the beginning of the New Testament) and he preached (called out with a loud voice) in the wilderness of the Judean land (in a place of the land in Judea, located by the Jordan, not far from Jericho, Luke 3:3; a place called “the plain of the wilderness,” 2 Samuel 17:16, 22, because there was much forest and mountains there and thus it was inhabited less than other places, although several cities were located in that same place, in which Zachariah, John the Baptist’s father, dwelt, Luke 1:39–40. Luther: “This ought to be a certain sign that the Messiah was coming when they heard one preaching not in the temple at Jerusalem, nor in the [Pharisaical] schools, but rather in the wilderness, who preached in this manner: ‘The Lord is coming,’ as John had done.”).2

    1 Greek: “Now” [δὲ]

    * Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3

    2 † This wilderness was a region of land in the Jewish mountains, Luke 1:39, 80, where the Word of the Lord first came to John, Luke 3:2. From that same region he went forth until he came to the Jordan.

    2. And he said, * “Repent (turn yourselves from your godless way of life); the Kingdom of Heaven (that is, the time of grace, when God Himself appears in Christ on earth and draws men away from trust in their own righteousness, in Levitical external worship, and fleshly thinking, and, on the other hand will establish a spiritual Kingdom through faith in the hearts of men) has come near (The prophecies of the prophets concerning the Kingdom of the Messiah are now fulfilled; for He has appeared and will soon enter His office with the public preaching of the Gospel, in which He will offer the grace of God, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal salvation to all men and will impart it to the who truly repent and believe, and will also win such treasures and benefits for them through His obedience, suffering, and death).”

    * Matthew 4:17 (Mark 1:15)

    3. And1 he (John the Baptist) is the one of whom the Prophet Isaiah * had spoken, saying: “A voice of a preacher (a voice calling) in the wilderness (saying thus): ‘Prepare for the Lord (the coming Messiah, who is our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6) the way (clear out of the way the filth of errors and the great logs of misdeeds through true knowledge of sins and heartfelt contrition over them; adorn the way with the fervent longing for the grace of God  with true faith in the promised and now appeared Messiah with the earnest intent of amendment and with all kinds of Christian virtues; just as one clears all hindrances and filth out of the way when a king or a prince intends to make his entrance and adorns the way with tapestries, grass, and trees [cf. Matthew 21:8]), and make His paths straight2 (so that the heart may not be lifted up through spiritual pride nor be made crooked and uneven through hypocrisy, because without true repentance, His gospel cannot be received and grasped and hearts in a fruitful manner).

    1 Greek: “For he” [or, “for in this way,” οὗτος γάρ]

    * Isaiah 40:3 (Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; John 1:23)

    2 Greek: “footpaths” (where He wants to teach, preach, walk, and be received)

    4. Now John had a * garment of camel’s hair (a meagre, hairy,  rough garment prepared from coarse camel’s hair, in which form the prophet Elijah was also clothed in the Old Testament, 2 Kings 1:8, for “He will go before Him [the Lord] in the spirit and power of Elijah,” Luke 1:17, and was the true Elijah who was to come, Malachi 4:5 and Matthew 11:14; thus [John] also wanted by his clothing to be compared to [Elijah]) and a leather girdle around his loins (the like of which Elijah also wore); his food was locusts (which was a different kind of locust than those we have, and which the common poor people in the eastern lands were accustomed to using for food, both fresh and dried in smoke; the Jews also were allowed to eat them, Leviticus 11:22, yet, it was a humble, disdained food) and wild honey (honey of wild bees, which was not as good and sweet as other honey;1 because John was a preacher of repentance, so he also wanted to lead a hard and strict life, both in his food and also in his clothing).

    * 2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6 (Matthew 11:8, 18; 1 Samuel 14:27)

    1 † Some understand here the flowing sap of date and fig trees, which is also called honey among the Hebrews and was found in the region of Jericho as well as near the Jordan. But it is better that one remains with the more common meaning of “wild honey.”

    5. Then went out to him the city (the inhabitants of the city) of Jerusalem and the entire Jewish land all lands (the people from all the cities and villages of the Jewish land and of the surrounding neighboring regions, such as Galilee, Perea, Trachonitis, etc.) at the Jordan.

    (Luke 3:7)

    6. And they allowed themselves to be baptized by him in the Jordan and they confessed their sins (They acknowledged their guilt before God, and confessed publicly that they were poor sinners and then humbly asked God for forgiveness; thereafter, John admonished them that they ought to believe in Christ, the Messiah and Savior of the world, who had now appeared, and afterwards baptized them for the forgiveness of sins by God’s command, Luke 3:3).

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That the foremost purpose of all Church teachers in their office ought to be to teach concerning repentance as did John. (v. 2).

    [There are no useful applications listed for verses 5–6.]

  • Notes and Useful Applications for James 5:7–10 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi, James 5:7–10, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    II. A command concerning patience and comfort in tribulation. (v. 7–11)

    Annotated Text

    7. So now be * patient, beloved brothers (you who must allow yourselves to be frightened and oppressed so miserably by the godless rich, and also do not let yourselves be embittered by it), until the coming of the Lord (until Christ appears on the Last Day to hold judgment, who will not only deliver you from such tribulation, but also will reciprocate tribulation upon those who have laid affliction upon you, 2 Thessalonians 1:6). See how a farmer waits for the beautiful fruit of the earth, and is patient over it, until it receives the morning and evening rain (until God gives a fruitful rain, both for sowing and also for harvest time, by which the land is watered and is made rich, its furrows are soaks, its plowed field is moistened, and its growth is blessed, Psalm 65:10–11).

    * Luke 21:19; Hebrews 10:36 (James 1:4; Deuteronomy 11:14)

    8. You also be patient (do not allow yourselves to be moved to impatience by the oppression of the godless rich), and strengthen your hearts (by faithful trust and by the certain hope of the promised redemption and future blessèdness); for the coming of the Lord (Christ for judgment) is near (for the time between the first coming of the Son of God in the flesh and between His second coming for judgment is considered a short time, not only reckoned against eternity, but also against the time of the world which has already passed).

    (1 Corinthians 10:11; Philippians 4:5; Revelation 22:12)

    9. Do not groan against one another (out of impatience, hatred, anger, and vindictiveness), beloved brothers, so that you are not (by impatience, self-vengeance, and loveless sighing and wishing) condemned (for strife, envy, anger, hatred, and vindictiveness belong among the works of the flesh, and those who do these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God, Galatians 5:20–21). Behold, * the Judge is1 at the door (the coming of the Lord Christ, the appointed universal Judge, is so near as if He were already standing at the door).

    * Matthew 24:33 (Colossians 3:13)

    1 Greek: “standing” [ἕστηκεν]

    10. Take, my beloved brothers, * as an example the suffering and patience of the prophets, who had spoken in the name of the Lord (comfort yourselves in your suffering with the example of your teachers, who preached the Gospel of Christ to you and endured much hardship on account of it).

    * Matthew 5:12 (Romans 15:4)

    11. Behold, we praise them as blessèd (the saints of the Old Testament) who have endured1 (who endured much vileness in this world and are now redeemed out of them, and have been exalted to eternal glory). You have heard of the * patience of Job (it is known to you from his history), and the end of the Lord2 (Christ) you have seen (you on your part have seen how Christ endured all adversity, even death itself, with great patience and entered His glory through His suffering, Luke 24:26); for the † Lord is compassionate (of great compassion) and is merciful (He allows the need of His people to go to His heart, and finally redeems them out of all tribulation).

    1 Greek: “who endure steadfastly” [ὑπομείναντας]

    * Job 1:21–22

    2 † Others interpret this as referring to the end of the suffering sent by God, Job 42:10ff.

    † Psalm 103:8 (Matthew 5:11; Numbers 14:18)

    Useful Applications

    II. CORRECTION: To patience in the time of suffering according to the example of the holy prophets, and especially the man of God, Job. (v. 10–11)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Matthew 21:1–11 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Holy Gospel of the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Matthew 21:1–11, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. The advent of Christ to Jerusalem. (v. 1–11)

    Annotated Text

    1. When * they (Christ and His disciples together with the people that followed Him) now drew near to Jerusalem, and came to (opposite of) Bethphage (and Bethany, Luke 19:29) to the Mount of Olives, 1 Jesus sent two disciples,

    * Mark 11:1; John 12:12

    1 Greek: “And when” [Καὶ ὅτε]

    2. and He said to them, “Go into the town which lies before you (into the market which lies opposite you, Luke 19:30) and immediately (when you come into it) you will find a donkey tied up and a colt with it (also bound, on which no man has yet sat, Luke 19:30); loose it and bring it to Me. (For what purpose the Lord Christ intended to use this beast of burden He had not yet indicated to the disciples; but He was intent to hold His royal entry into the city of Jerusalem previously proclaimed by the Prophet.)

    3. And if someone should say something to you (and ask: ‘Why are you doing this?’ Mark 11:3; ‘Why do you loose the donkey and the colt?’ Luke 9:31), then say: ‘The Lord has need of it (for His service); and immediately he will allow it (to follow) you (and send them).”

    4. Now all this happened that it would be fulfilled what had been said through the prophet (Zechariah), when he said:

    5. “Say * to the daughter (the inhabitants) of Zion (of the city of Jerusalem, whose highest part was built upon Mount Zion; however, thereby is understood the Israelite Church): ‘Behold, your (heavenly soul-) † King comes to you (that He might have mercy on you and help you; thus, be for your good before others) meek (humble and lowly), and riding upon a donkey and upon a colt, the load-bearing donkey.” (Christ first rode upon the donkey and afterwards He sat Himself on the colt upon which He rode into the city. By the donkey is signified the Jews, the burden-bearing people; by the untamed colt, the Gentiles.)

    * Zechariah 9:9ff.; John 12:15

    † Psalm 24:8 (Isaiah 62:11)

    6. The disciples went out (from willing obedience, and they found it as He had said; for they found the colt tied at the door, outside at the crossroads, and they loosed it. But as they were loosing the colt, certain ones who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing, that you are loosing the colt?” Mark 11:4–5. And its lords said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?” Luke 19:33. But they said to them as Jesus had commanded them, “The Lord has need of it,” and they allowed it, Mark 11:6.) and (those who were sent) did, as Jesus had commanded them.

    7. And they brought the donkey and colt (to Jesus), and laid their * garments thereupon (so that He might ride all the more gently) and set Him thereupon (They cast their garments upon the colt, and He sat upon it, Mark 11:7. But such, what had been prophesied by Zechariah and what otherwise happened here, His disciples did not understood beforehand, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that such has been written concerning Him and that they had done such things to Him, John 12:16).

    * 2 Kings 9:13; Mark 11:7–8

    8. Now many people1 spread their garments on the way (Such they did out of reverence toward this new King, as the like happened to Jehu, 2 Kings 9:13.); others2 cut down branches (green boughs) from the trees and strew them on the way (to adorn Him, to bear witness to their joy, and to confess Christ as a peace-rich and victory-rich king. And many people who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus had come to Jerusalem, they took palm branches and went out to meet Him, John 12:12–13. And as He came near and descended the Mount of Olives, the whole heap of His disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice on account of all the deeds they had seen, Luke 19:37.).

    (1 Maccabees 13:51)

    1 Greek: “most of the people” (who partly came along from Jericho, Matthew 20:29, partly  had already come to Jerusalem for the feast and who went out to meet Him out of amazement concerning the raising of Lazarus).

    2 Greek: “but” [δὲ]

    9. But the (remaining common) people, who went before and followed after, cried out and said, “Hosanna (Luther: “In German, ‘Hosanna’ means ‘Ah, help!’ or ‘Ah, give good fortune and salvation!’—that is what we wish for.”) to the Son of David (to this new King, born of the lineage of David. The Jews had taught their children that when the Messiah would someday present Himself, they should receive Him with these words of the kingly prophet David; thus, because they heard that Jesus of Nazareth wanted to have His entry as the promised Messiah and the King of His Church, they had received Him in such a form)!1 Blessèd is He who comes (as a King) in the name of the Lord (sent by God to His people, that He should be a King of Israel, John 12:13; “Blessed be the kingdom of our father David!” Mark 11:10.)! Hosanna in the highest! (You Son of David who are in the highest, that is, a heavenly King and true God, help us. “Peace be in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38. And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Master, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I say to you, if these should be silent, then the stones would cry out,” Luke 19:39–40.)

    (Matthew 23:39)

    1 † Ordinarily, this formula from Psalm 118:25 was used at the Feast of Tabernacles. But the Jews also spoke it at other times on joyful occasions. See 1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:6; etc.

    10. And when He had entered into Jerusalem, the entire city was stirred up (frightened and became distressed) and said (all the inhabitants of that city were frightened and said), “Who is this (who comes riding into the city with such a multitude of people and to whom one wishes good fortune as to a king)?”

    11. But the People said, “This is the (famous) Jesus, * the prophet from Nazareth (who was conceived and raised up in Nazareth, Matthew 2:23; Luke 2:51) of Galilee (which city of Nazareth lies in Galilee. But the Pharisees said among one another, “You see that you are achieving nothing. Behold, all the world is running after Him,” John 12:19.).

    * Luke 7:16; John 1:45

    Useful Applications

    I. DOCTRINE: That all things which happened at the time of the revelation of Christ in His received humanity were preached beforehand by all the prophets of the Old Testament, shown here by the citation of the prophet Zechariah concerning the entry of Christ into Jerusalem upon a donkey and a colt. (v. 4–5)

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 13:11–14 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications of the Epistle Reading for the First Sunday of Advent (Ad Te Levavi), Romans 13:11–14, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    III. An admonition in general to holiness and innocence of life. (v. 11–14)

    Annotated Text

    11. And because we know such, namely, the time, that is now the our to stand up (to awake) from * sleep (the sleep of sin and fleshly security, as we ought to all the more be diligent in love toward the neighbor and other Christian virtues); since † our salvation is now nearer (after we have fully come to know Christ from His Gospel and are now rescued from the terrible darkness of ignorance and of an impious life) than when we believed1 (when we first began to grasp faith from the Gospel);

    * Ephesians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6–7

    † 2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 6:9

    1 Greek: “And this (let us do all the more diligently), as those who know well the present time (namely) that it is the hour when we already ought to have risen from sleep, since salvation (the blessèd use of the divine means of grace) is now nearer to us than when we (first) believed.” (The light of the Gospel breaks through more and more.)

    12. The * night is (as of now) passed by (the time of ignorance, when you did not yet know Christ, the true light, but rather were stuck in the darkness of unbelief, idolatry, and other terrible sins, has gone away), but the day (of salvation, which is the bright revelation of the Gospel, and the light of the saving knowledge of Christ) has come;1 so  let us2 cast off the works of darkness (the gross sins in which to which those are inclined who still are stuck in the darkness of ignorance, error, and idolatry, to which also the prince who rules in the darkness of this world drives men, Ephesians 6:12, which sins are committed in darkness and finally plunge into eternal darkness), and put on the armor of light (the Christian virtues which are the beautiful garment of the day that adorns a converted man, with which one can also strive against the devil and the evil lusts of the flesh).

    * 1 John 2:8

    † Ephesians 5:11 (1 Thessalonians 5:5; Colossians 3:8; John 3:21; Romans 6:13)

    1 Greek: “The night (of the former corruption among Jews and Gentiles, etc.) is far spent (so that it will now soon come to its end), but that day (the public knowledge of God also among the Gentiles) has drawn near.”

    2 Greek: “now”[δὲ] (from this cause, see Romans 12:1)

    13. Let us walk honorably (in discipline and respectability, as is befitting) as in the day, * not in gluttony1 and drunkenness (for those who are drunk, are drunk at night,” 1 Thessalonians 5:7), not in bed chambers (lustfulness) and unchastity (bold, shameless living), not in † strife and envy;

    * Luke 21:34; Ephesians 5:18

    † James 3:14 (Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11)

    1 † For what is contained under the Greek word κώμοις, see Galatians 5:21.

    14. But be adorned in the Lord Jesus Christ (not only through true faith, Galatians 3:27, but also through a pious walk, in which He has lit the way before you. “Let the Spirit of Christ, who dwells in you, rule and lead you, and put on the new man,” Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), and watch after the body, yet in such a way that it not become wanton1 (Maintain in the watching of the body such measure with eating and drinking that you do not thereby indulge the evil lusts of the sinful flesh to fulfill them, Galatians 5:16; 1 Peter 2:11. Luther: “Do not torture the body beyond its strength with unbearable holiness, watching, fasting, freezing as the hypocrites do”).

    (Colossians 2:23; 1 Corinthians 9:27)

    1 Greek: However, “the care (nurture) of the flesh (of the body)” is not directed toward the end that you promote its (wild) desires (arouse them or provide fodder or feed for them).

    Useful Applications

    III. WARNING: Concerning gluttony, drunkenness, unchastity, strife, envy, etc., which are works of darkness by which one plunges himself into the eternal darkness of hell (v. 12–13). DOCTRINE: Children of the light walk thus in the light the more it shines upon them; but whoever does not do so, makes it known that he still lives and lies in darkness (v. 12–14).