PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Good Works

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Romans 12:1–6a from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel of the First Sunday after Epiphany, Luke 2:41–52, 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 report, how Christians ought to give themselves entirely to God the Lord, live according to this commandment, and keep themselves from the godless world. (v.1–2)

    II. Some rules concerning various good works which one chiefly ought to pay heed to in private matters toward one another. (v. 3–21)

    Annotated Text

    1. I admonish you,1 (you my) beloved brothers, through the mercy of God (which He has shown you in His Son Christ Jesus, the only Savior and Mediator), that you (as spiritual priests) * that you give (present) your bodies (and souls) as a sacrifice that is living (not taken from slaughtered animals, but rather made alive through the Holy Spirit), holy (sanctified through Christ’s blood) and pleasing to God (through faith), which (sacrifice) is your rational (arranged according to the Word of God, and grounded upon the many benefits previously adduced) worship (such a worship, which is moved from a heart enlightened and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and not consisting in external Levitical ceremonies, but rather is carried out in the Spirit and in truth, John 4:23. Luther: “St. Paul here calls all sacrifices, works, and worship irrational when they happen without faith and the knowledge of God”).

    1 Greek: “Therefore” (or “according to such”) [οὖν]. This is a little word of conclusion whereby Paul derives special Christian duties from the doctrine of justification by faith as he did in general in Romans 6:1ff; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:1ff.

    * Romans 6:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (1 Peter 2:5)

    2. And do not conform yourselves to this world (do not be minded as the children of the world who only strive after how they may please men and at the same time place God’s favor away from their eyes), but rather be changed * through the renewal of your mind (put on a different mind than the children of the world have; give room and place to the Holy Spirit that He may renew your understanding and heart more and more through the renewal of the Divine image), that you may prove (recognize and learn) † that which is the good, the pleasing, and the perfect will of God (as He has revealed it to us in His Word, according to which your spiritual sacrifices offered in Christ to God are pleasing to Him).

    * Ephesians 4:23

    † Ephesians 5:10, 17 (1 John 2:15; Philippians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Wisdom 9:10)

    3. For I say through the grace which has been given to me (as an apostle of Christ), to each among you, that no one ought to consider himself more than is fit for him to consider (that no one think of himself too highly out from pride); but rather that he consider himself with moderation (remain within his limits, and not ascribe to himself to much, nor entangle himself in things too high), each, according to * God has divided the measure of faith (according to as God has distributed to each His saving knowledge and His gifts).

    * 1 Corinthians 7:17, 12:11; Ephesians 4:7

    4. For in like manner, as we have many members in * one body, but not all members have one business (or performance);

    * 1 Corinthians 12:2; Ephesians 4:25

    5. in this way we who are many are * one body in Christ (who is the Head in this spiritual body); but among one another (under this Head) is one (a true believer) a member of the other.

    * 1 Corinthians 12:27 (1 Corinthians 10:17)

    6. And * has various gifts (gifts of grace, in particular the ability to serve others) according to the grace (gracious distribution, Ephesians 4:7ff.), which has been given to us.

    * 1 Corinthians 12:4 (1 Peter 4:10)

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That we ought to give ourselves entirely to God, with our body and soul, as a living, holy, and pleasing sacrifice, through the rejection of the godless world and through the renewal of the Holy Spirit. (v. 1–2) [There are no applications for v. 3–6.]

  • 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).

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Deuteronomy 10:12-21 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament reading for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Deuteronomy 10:12–21, 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. How Moses, on the mountain, got the opportunity to admonish the people, and what the character of that reminder was. (v. 10–22)

    Annotated Text

    12. “Now Israel, what * does the Lord, your God require of you (in gratitude for all such great benefactions), than that you fear the Lord, your God (and guard yourself, that you do not provoke Him with sins), that you walk in all His ways (in His commandments), and love Him (above all creatures), ** and serve the Lord, your God (as a testimony of true love) with all your heart and will all your soul (without hypocrisy, in such a way that you do not think, speak, strive after, do, or begin anything that is not pleasing to this true God);

    * Micah 6:8

    ** Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37.

    13. that you keep the commandments of the Lord and His laws, which I give to you today so that it go well with you (that you may be showed with all kinds of goods and rich blessings)!

    14. Behold, * heaven and the heaven of heaven (the highest heaven) and earth and everything that is in it belong to the Lord, your God (as the almighty and the all-rich Creator, Ruler, Preserver, and Lord of all things).

    * 1 Kings 8:27

    15. Nevertheless * He had delight only in your fathers (when there nevertheless were very few of them, and in addition when they were despised before the world), that He loved them (was mercifully  disposed toward them), and He elected their seed (their descendants) after them, (namely,) you over all people (because this grace was granted to no other people on earth, for He received you as His peculiar people [cf. 1 Peter 2:9]), ** as it stands today (as it is evident and before our eyes that such has also been granted by Him alone).

    * Deuteronomy 7:6, 9:29

    ** Deuteronomy 4:38 (Exodus 19:5)

    16. Therefore, * circumcise now (in a spiritual manner) the foreskin of your heart (lay aside the old man, and put to death the sinful lusts and wicked cravings of the flesh [cf. Ephesians 4:22]), and do not * be further stiff-necked (against God and His commandment).

    * Deuteronomy 30:6

    ** Nehemiah 9:16 (Jeremiah 4:4; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:29; Colossians 2:11

    17. For the Lord, your God, is * a God of all gods (over the angels, over the magistrates, and whatever otherwise is called gods), and Lord over all lords (in all the world, who have received all their lordship and authority as a fief from this Lord); a great God (in power), mighty (indeed, almighty) and terrible (of whom all creatures must be afraid), who ** does not consider the person (and those of great reputation in the world), and does not take any bribe (to pervert justice or refuse to punish evil on account of it);

    * Psalm 89:7

    ** Acts 10:34ff. (2 Chronicles 19:7; Job 34:19; Wisdom 6:8; Sirach 35:16; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17)

    18.  and who executes justice (He helps and stands by) for orphans (for the fatherless and motherless children) and widows (who are otherwise despised and forsaken by everyone), and loves * the stranger (protects, defends, and provides for them), that He gives them food and clothing.

    * Psalm 146:9; Exodus 22:21

    19. Therefore, you shall also * love the stranger (help protect and provide for them; also receive them faithfully according to this example of your God); for you were also strangers in the land of Egypt (since it pleased you well when people deal with you in a friendly manner, in the same manner you ought now rightly also do to other strangers).

    * Exodus 22:21ff.

    20. You shall fear the * Lord, your God (you shall dread to sin before Him); you shall serve Him (demonstrate all kinds of submission and honor according to His Word), you shall hang on to Him (with heartfelt trust and pure love), and ** shall swear in His name (affirm and confirm the truth upon the demand of the magistrate).

    * Deuteronomy 6:13ff.

    ** Psalm 63:12 (Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8)

    21. He is your boast (the One whom you shall praise and boast of continually; in whom you only have to boast, that He is your gracious Father) and your God (your highest good), who has done for you (in your congregation) such great and terrible things (in Egypt and in the wilderness), which your eyes have seen.“

    (Exodus 15:2)

    Useful Applications

    III. CORRECTION: That we ought to circumcise ourselves spiritually, that is, suppress the sinful lusts within us, and lead a new life (v. 16–20).

  • Chemnitz’s Homily for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity

    Chemnitz’s Homily for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity

    The following is my translation of Martin Chemnitz’s homily for the Eighth Sunday after Trinity as found in his Postilla (Vol. II, pgs. 369–92). Chemnitz uses a composite text based on Matthew 7:15–27 and Luke 6:43–49. Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions whereas curly brackets indicate marginal notes present in the original text. Please note that this page is a work in progress.

    Gospel Text

    Forthcoming.

    Explanation

    Forthcoming.

    {Division of the Sermon}

    This is thus the summary of this Gospel, whose explanation we now want to pay attention to in these four points.

    1. First, that we want to see to this, how the Lord Christ does not vainly make this earnest admonition (Vermahnung) to the Church and the congregation (an die Kirche und Gemeine) that they ought to watch themselves when they have and hear God’s Word taught clearly and purely, that they also then ought to remember that the time could come when they could be robbed again of this precious treasure so that we are not scandalized when we see that it still goes on today that where the pure doctrine and Church of Christ is, there the devil also has a chapel there and wants to bring in his false lying-doctrine (LügenLehre) among the people.
    2. Second, that we not only ought to know that false teachers will arise at all times and trouble the Church of God and presume to seduce Christians with their false doctrine, but rather that He also earnestly and diligently admonishes us that we ought to beware of them and fear them, so that we also not be led into an error through them.
    3. Third, because the false teachers can cleverly cover their knavery and deceit, we must therefore learn to recognize them so that we may beware of them and not be deceived and led astray by them so easily. How we ought not concern ourselves with the external sheep’s clothing (eusserlichen Schafpeltz), but rather ought to look at their fruits and mark them, what they say and teach, and from what fruit the tree bears, take judgement of each preacher (Prediger).
    4. Finally, fourth and last, when we now have God’s Word clearly and purely and God has preserved us from false doctrine, and allows His Word to be preached to us without any falsification (Verfälschung), that we nevertheless ought not think that it is now enough and we need nothing more because we hear God’s Word, make use of the sacraments, pray, and call upon God our Lord, and lead a fine external appearance before the world; rather, that we should then look closely that we do not deceive ourselves, do not fall into security (Sicherheit) and let it remain only with the hearing of the Word and external exercises (äusserlichen Ubungen), but that we ought to be diligent to conduct ourselves according to God’s Word in our lives and do the will of God the heavenly Father, and thus may not be only mouth-Christians (Maulchristen) and hypocrites, but rather true Christians and doers of the word, and not only hearers.

    Your grace ought to now pay attention to these four points in this sermon, and thereby grasp simply and finely grasp the right use of this Gospel.

    Concerning the First Part

    Forthcoming.

    Concerning the Second Point

    Forthcoming.

    Concerning the Third Point

    Forthcoming.

    Concerning the Fourth Point

    Forthcoming.