The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading of the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Memento Nostri), Philippians 4:4–7, 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. Several admonitions which partly concern particular persons and partly are directed toward godliness in general. (v. 1–9)
Annotated Text
4. Rejoice * in the Lord (Christ, who has done so much good for you) always (in both good and bad circumstances), and once more I say (I repeat it once again), Rejoice!
5. Let your * forbearance (good faith and equity) be known to all men (be friendly and peaceable toward all men, be they friend or foe; also yield your own right at times for the sake of the preservation of peace and unity, Matthew 5:5, 9, 25). † The Lord is near (The judge is at the door, James 5:9, to procure justice for you).
6. * Be worried about nothing (do not hang on to mistrustful and unnecessary worries); but rather in all things (in good and bad circumstances) † let your requests be made known before God in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (pray in firm trust in God and thank Him for all His benefits).
* Matthew 6:25, 31ff.
† Psalm 145:18 (Psalm 55:23; 1 Peter 5:7; James 5:13; Colossians 3:17)
7. And * the peace of God (by which God the Father is graciously deposed toward you, in which you stand firmly by virtue of the reconciliation which had been accomplished and obtained for you), which is higher than all reason (whose worth no human reason can grasp), will guard1(and, as it were, will bastion) your hearts and minds (in all temptations and tribulations) in Christ Jesus (by whom God has granted you all things, Romans 8:32, so that you can remain steadfast with him)!
* John 14:27 (Colossians 3:15)
1 Greek: “And” (in this way) “the peace of God will guard” (as with a garrison) [καὶ ἡ εἰρήνη τοῦ θεοῦ… φρουρήσει]
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]
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.
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]).
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.
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).
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)
The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11, 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. A prohibition, that one ought to not wickedly inquire after the certain day and hour of the coming of Christ. (v. 1–5) II. An admonition as to how one should at all times be prepared for the coming of Christ. (v. 6–10) III. Several specific rules for true Christianity, together with the conclusion. (v. 11–28)
Annotated Text
1. Concerning the * times and the hours, (the time and the hour in which Christ will come for judgment, in like manner how long a time will have to pass until then, or in what circumstances the world and the Church of God will be found then) beloved brothers, it is not necessary (it is neither necessary nor edifying) to write to you (since no one knows the day nor the hour, not even the angels in heaven, but rather only God the heavenly Father, Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32, which has been reserved in His authority, Acts 1:7).
* Matthew 24:3, 36
2. For you yourself (already) know, 1 that the day of the Lord (Christ, that is, the last day of judgment) will come (will happen), * as a thief in the night (before men will know of it).
* Matthew 24:42–43; Luke 12:39; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3, 16:15
1 Greek: “from the doctrine pronounced (by us) with great diligence (concerning this to you)” [This is not in any Greek text that I could find, I think that it is meant to be an explanation of the perfect tense of οἴδατε.]
3. For if they (the godless) are saying, * “There is peace (all remains well), there is no danger (that the Last day will come even now); then doom (the condemnation, which will then begin upon them) will fall upon them quickly, 1 just like pain (the birth anxieties) come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape it (such is their doom).
* Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11 (Luke 21:34–35)
1 Greek: “Thus, the speedy doom (already) stands (hovers) over their heads.” [Again, this is not in any manuscript, but an explanation of the text]
4. But you, beloved brothers, * are not in the darkness (of false doctrine, great sin, and fleshly security), that the (Last) Day snatch you up (that you have fear for the sake of such sudden coming) as a thief (suddenly and unexpectedly).
* Ephesians 5:8
5. You are altogether * children of the light (enlightened through the Word of God and through the Holy Spirit with the saving knowledge of God) and are children of the day (that you go along in true faith and godly life); we are not of the night, nor of the darkness (erring in faith and godless in life).
* Luke 16:8; Romans 13:12
6. So let us not sleep now (snoring in the sleep of sin and living therein in certainty), as the others (the unbelievers), but rather let us watch (be valiant, live in a God-pleasing way, renouncing our security, hoping daily in the coming of Christ) and be sober (disciplined and temperate).
(Matthew 24:42, 25:13; Luke 21:36)
7. Fort those who sleep (even naturally), sleep at night, and those who drink (according the manner of the world), get drunk (commonly) at night.
8. But we, who are (children) * of the day (who walk in the right light of faith), ought to be sober (renounce drunkenness, and our souls be valiant and alert), dressed † with the shell (the armor) of faith (protected in the heart with upright faith against all fiery darts of the hellish evildoer) and love (toward God and the neighbor), 1and with the helmet of the (certain) hope to salvation.
1 * Through faith we shield ourselves against the devil and an evil conscience; but through love we protect ourselves against the accusation of the enemies and blasphemy.
9. For * God has not appointed us (believers) to wrath (ordained us to damnation), but rather appointed us to salvation (that we should obtain it) through our Lord Jesus Christ (as He has called us to the knowledge of Him leading to salvation, and has worked faith in Him in our hearts),
* Romans 9:23 (1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Peter 3:9)
10. who died for us (for our sins), so that, * whether we wake or sleep (if the day of the Lord comes at the time when we sleep or at the time when we are awake), we shall live together with Him (in eternal blessedness).
* Romans 14:8–9; 2 Corinthians 5:15
11. Therefore, * admonish one another (to godliness) and build one another up (be promotive to this), as you are doing then.
* 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Hebrews 10:24–25
Useful Applications
I. WARNING: Concerning fleshly certainty, so that no one be overtaken unprepared on the Last Day (like a pregnant woman by her birth-pains), and thereby fall into eternal damnation. (v. 3) II. CORRECTION: For Christian wariness, watchfulness, and preparation for the coming of Christ for judgment, especially through a sober, temperate life. (v. 6–8)
The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Holy Gospel for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 25:1–13, 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. The parable of the ten virgins. (v. 1–13)
Annotated Text
1. Then (when Christ comes to hold the judgment) 1 the Kingdom of Heaven (the estate of those who publicly confess themselves to [be part of] the Church of God and to the Gospel) will be like ten2virgins, who 3 took their lamps (presented themselves externally as Christians) and went out to meet the Bridegroom (Christ).
1 Or, much more in the last times and with reference to His second coming.
2 † A number of which was commonly required at solemn Jewish ceremonies.
3 * Invited as guests for a wedding, which in those lands was for the most part held in the evening.
2. But five of them were foolish (by which those are to be understood who do not deal wisely in their Christianity and who do not let their salvation be a matter of true seriousness to themselves), and five were wise (by which those are to be understood who are upright Christians, who are understanding what the will of the Lord is, Ephesians 5:17, and who fulfill it in deed).
(2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 14:4)
3. The foolish took their lamps; however, they did not take oil along with themselves 1(they did not have true saving faith and Christian virtues, but rather were only hypocrites).2
1 In separate vessels, to refill their lamps in the case of a longer delay.
2 † Here, the oil is the grace of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 45:8), which is mediated by the Word and Sacraments, which works faith, love, and all good in men, and which prepares their hearts in the grace of God for willing and joyful service.
4. But the wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps (also well provided with oil). (Luther: “The lamps without oil are good works without faith, which must all be quenched. The vessel of oil however is faith in the conscience in the grace of God, which does good works that endure.”)
5. Now, when the Bridegroom was delayed (with His coming), they * all became drowsy and slept (in such a form that they did not wait with due care for the coming of Christ).
* James 3:2
6. But, at midnight (when they least expected it) there was a cry (through the sound of the trumpet): “Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet Him!”
[For the trumpet sound, see Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52]
7. Then * all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps (they prepared their lamps and poured oil into them).
* Luke 12:36ff.
8. But the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are quenched.”
9. Then the wise answered and said, “Not so, so that there may not be a lack for us and you. But go away to the merchants and buy for yourselves (buy where you want, we have nothing left over for you. Luther: “But just as here none gives the oil to another, so also must each believe for himself”).
10. And when they went out to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready * went in with Him to the wedding (into the joy of eternal life), and the door was shut (so that no one could come in anymore).
* Revelation 19:7
11. Finally, the other virgins also came and * said, “Lord, Lord (they repeated this word ‘Lord’ from hypocritical hearts, Matthew 7:22; Luke 6:46), open to us!”
* Luke 13:25ff.
1 * Or also, from all too-late recognition of the majesty of Christ, Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10–11
12. But He answered and said, “Truly, I say to you, * I do not know you (I regard you not; you do not belong to My wedding, for you had the time of grace, and when you ought to have sought the oil of true faith working through love, you did not pay attention to it; and now it is too late).
* Matthew 7:23; Psalm 1:6
1 * I cannot recognize you, with your fruitless behavior, as the companions of My bride.
13. Therefore, * watch (be prepared at all times), for you neither know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come. (In the following parable [i.e., the Parable of the Talents, Matthew 25:14–30], Christ reminds us that each person ought to righty use and employ the gifts God has imparted to him during the time of his [earthly] life, so that on the Last Day, he may receive a reward for his faithfulness and diligence, yet by grace. But it is to be understood with this parable, that Christ will deal with us in this manner.)
* Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33ff.; Luke 21:36 (Revelation 16:15)
Useful Applications
I. CORRECTION: That we ought to be watchful at all times in faith and remain in preparedness (which is signified by the oil and the burning lamps of the virgins), so that we meet the heavenly Bridegroom spiritually when He appears in His glory for judgment, and so that we do not neglect the time of grace according to the likeness of the foolish virgins. (v. 1–13)
The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Epistle Reading for the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, 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. The Introduction. (v. 4–9)
Annotated Text
4. I * thank my (beloved) God at all times for your sake (so often I think of you) for the grace of God, which was given (granted) you in Christ Jesus,
* Ephesians 1:15–16
5. that you have been made rich in ever way through Him, in all doctrine, and all * knowledge (God has richly graced you with all kinds of spiritual gifts, which are useful and necessary for the edification of the Church and for the knowledge of God; but especially I thank Him, that He has brought you to the saving knowledge of Christ through the doctrine of the Gospel),
6. for as the preaching of Christ (the testimony of the Gospel) has been powerful in you (in that you have received it with true faith, and that by means of it you have been graced with the Holy Spirit; thus, the preaching of Christ has been confirmed and sealed among you),
* Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 1:21
7. thus, that you have no lack in any (temporally and eternally serviceable) gift (consequently, you have no need of any other revelation or doctrine, 1 John 2:20, 27), and * wait only for the (final great and glorious) revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ (who on the Last Day will come again openly to hold the universal judgment);
* Psalm 34:11; Philippians 3:20 (Titus 2:13)
8. who * also will keep you firm (in true faith) until the end (of your life), that you ** be irreproachable until the *** (great judgement) day of our Lord Jesus Christ **** (because in this life the perfect righteousness of Christ is reckoned to you through faith, and you strive after an irreproachable walk, and thus can appear before Him with a good conscience).
**** Which is a day in which everything, even that which is now hidden in darkness, will come into the light [1 Corinthians 4:5].
9. For * God is faithful (He keeps His promise firmly and unbreakably), through whom (by whom) you are called (through the preaching of the Gospel) ** to the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Luther: “That is, you are co-heirs and fellow partakers of all the goods of Christ.”)
* 1 Thessalonians 5:24ff.
** John 15:5 (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Useful Applications
II. DOCTRINE: We ought to thank God at all times when we see that knowledge of Him, true repentance, and a Christian life are worked in men’s hearts through His Word (v. 4–7).
PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS 