We read that in the days of Elijah the prophet there was apparently no word from God and no worship of God in Israel. For Elijah says, “Lord, they have killed your prophets and destroyed your altars, and I am left totally alone” [I Kings 19]. Here King Ahab and others could have said, “Elijah, with talk like that you are condemning all the people of God.” However God had at the same time kept seven thousand [I Kings 19]. How? Do you not also think that God could now, under the papacy, have preserved his own, even though the priests and monks of Christendom have been teachers of the devil and gone to hell? Many children and young people have died in Christ. For even under the anti-Christ, Christ has strongly sustained baptism, the bare text of the gospel in the pulpit, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Creed. By this means he sustained many of his Christians, and therefore also his Christendom, and said nothing about it to these devil’s teachers.
Now even though Christians have done some parts of the papal blasphemy, the papal asses have not yet proved that they did it gladly. Still less does it prove that they even did the right thing. All Christians can err and sin, but God has taught them to pray in the Lord’s Prayer for the forgiveness of sins. God could very well forgive the sins they had to unwillingly, unknowingly, and under the coercion of the Antichrist commit, without saying anything about it to the priests and monks! It can, however, be easily proven that there has always been a great deal of secret murmuring and complaining against the clergy throughout the world, and that they are not treating Christendom properly. And the papal asses have courageously withstood such complaining with fire and sword, even to the present day. This murmuring proves how happy Christians have been over these blasphemies, and how right they have been in doing them!
So out with it, you papal asses! Say that this is the teaching of Christendom: these stinking lies which you villains and traitors have forced upon Christendom and for the sake of which you murderers have killed many Christians. Why each letter of every papal law gives testimony to the fact that nothing has ever been taught by the counsel and the consent of Christendom. There is nothing there but “districte precipiendo mandamus” [“we teach and strictly command”]. That has been your Holy Spirit. Christendom has had to suffer this tyranny. This tyranny has robbed it of the sacrament and, not by its own fault, has been held in captivity. And still the asses would pawn off on us this intolerable tyranny of their own wickedness as a willing act and example of Christendom — and thereby acquit themselves!
But this is getting too long. Let this be enough of an answer to your questions for now. More another time. Excuse this long letter. Christ our Lord be with us all. Amen.
Martin Luther,
Your good friend.
The Wilderness, September 8, 1530
* * * * *
This text was translated for Project Wittenberg by Dr. Gary Mann in 1995 and was placed by him in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text, providing the information in this statement remains attached. Please direct any comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.
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Commentary on Genesis (1535)
Translated by John Nicholas Lenker, 1904
CONTENTS
VOLUME I.
SECOND INTRODUCTION TO LUTHER’S WORKS IN ENGLISH.
PREFACES AND DEDICATIONS OF LUTHER’S “DEAR GENESIS.”
DEDICATION OF VEIT DIETRICH.
DEDICATION OF BASIL FABER.
PREFACE OF DR. JOHN GEORGE WALCH.
FROM THE PREFACE BY DR. HENRY COLE.
DR. MARTIN LUTHER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
COMMENTARY ON GENESIS.
CHAPTER I.
I. INTRODUCTION.
II. GOD’S WORK ON THE SIX DAYS IN PARTICULAR.
PART I. GOD’S WORK ON THE FIRST DAY.
PART II. GOD’S WORK ON THE SECOND DAY.
PART III. GOD’S WORK ON THE THIRD DAY.
PART IV. GOD’S WORK ON THE FOURTH DAY.
PART V. GOD’S WORK ON THE FIFTH DAY.
PART VI. GOD’S WORK ON THE SIXTH DAY.
CHAPTER II.
PART I. GOD’S REST, SANCTIFICATION OF THE SABBATH AND CREATION OF ADAM.
PART II. PARADISE.
PART III. THE INTRODUCTION OF MAN INTO THE GARDEN, THE COMMAND GOD GAVE HIM AND THE THREATENING GOD ATTACHED TO IT.
PART IV. THE CREATION OF EVE.
PART V. THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY.
CHAPTER III.
PART I. THE TEMPTATION TO FALL.
PART II. THE AWFUL FALL BY SINNING.
PART III. THE JUDGMENT GOD HELD WITH OUR FIRST PARENTS AFTER THEIR FALL AND THE ACCOUNT OF THEIR STEWARDSHIP HE REQUIRED FROM THEM.
PART IV. THE SERPENT AND SATAN CURSED. THE FIRST PROMISE.
PART V. THE PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON OUR FIRST PARENTS.
PART VI. NAME ADAM GAVE HIS WIFE. GOD REMINDS MAN OF THE FALL. THE CHERUBIM.
CHAPTER IV.
PART I. GENERATION, MARRIAGE, BIRTH AND EDUCATION OF CAIN AND ABEL.
PART II. OFFERINGS IN GENERAL, OF OUR FIRST PARENTS, AND OF CAIN AND ABEL.
PART III. CAIN’S CONDUCT UPON THE REJECTION OF HIS OFFERING AND HIS PUNISHMENT.
PART IV. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER AND WAS REQUIRED TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT, AND HOW HE CONDUCTED HIMSELF.
PART V. HOW CAIN WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS MURDER.
PART VI. CAIN’S CONDUCT UPON BEING PUNISHED.
VOLUME II.
FOREWORD.
CHAPTER IV.
IV. HOW CAIN MURDERED HIS BROTHER AND WAS REQUIRED TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT, AND HOW HE CONDUCTED HIMSELF.
V. HOW CAIN WAS PUNISHED FOR HIS MURDER.
VI. CAIN’S CONDUCT UPON BEING PUNISHED.
VII. THE GENERATIONS OF CAIN AND THE GENERATIONS OF THE GODLY.
B. THE POSTERITY OF CAIN IN DETAIL.
C. THE POSTERITY OF THE RIGHTEOUS IN DETAIL.
CHAPTER V.
I. THE RECORDS OF THE GENERATIONS OF MAN AND THE GLORY OF THE CAINITES.
II. ADAM AND HIS SON SETH.
III. ENOCH.
IV. LAMECH AND HIS SON NOAH.
B. NOAH.
CHAPTER VI.
I. THE SINS OF THE PRIMEVAL WORLD IN GENERAL THE CAUSE OF ITS DESTRUCTION.
II. THE JUDGMENT AND LAMENTATION OF GOD OVER THE FIRST WORLD; NOAH AND HIS PREACHING.
B. NOAH AND HIS PREACHING.
III. THE SINS OF THE OLD WORLD IN PARTICULAR.
IV. THE REPENTANCE AND GRIEF OF GOD BECAUSE HE HAD MADE MAN.
B. THE GRIEF OF GOD.
V. HOW NOAH ALONE WAS FOUND RIGHTEOUS, AND HOW THE WHOLE WORLD WAS DESTROYED.
VI. GOD DECIDES TO PUNISH THE FIRST WORLD; COMMANDS NOAH TO BUILD AN ARK; THE COVENANT.
B. GOD COMMANDS NOAH TO BUILD AN ARK.
C. GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH.
VII. THE ANIMALS AND THEIR FOOD, AND NOAH’S OBEDIENCE.
CHAPTER VII.
I. NOAH OBEYS COMMAND TO ENTER THE ARK.
II. COMPLETE DESTRUCTION.
CHAPTER VIII.
I. NOAH IN ARK — FLOOD ABATES.
II. NOAH LEAVES ARK, HIS SACRIFICE AND GOD’S PROMISE.
B. NOAH’S SACRIFICE.
C. GOD’S RESOLVE NOT TO CURSE THE EARTH AGAIN.
III. MAN’S NATURAL DEPRAVITY AND HIS NATURAL POWERS.
CHAPTER IX.
I. GOD BLESSES NOAH AND THE RACE.
B. MAN’S USE OF AND DOMINION OVER ANIMALS.
II. THE LAW AGAINST TAKING LIFE; GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH; THE RAINBOW.
B. GOD’S COVENANT WITH NOAH.
C. THE RAINBOW.
III. CONCERNING ALLEGORIES.
B. ALLEGORIES IN DETAIL.
IV. NOAH AND HIS FALL.
B. Noah’s Fall.
V. HAM CURSED; SHEM AN
D JAPHETH BLESSED.
VOLUME I.
SECOND INTRODUCTION TO LUTHER’S WORKS IN ENGLISH.
THIS INTRODUCTION OR prospectus is supplementary to that in the first volume on the Psalms, in that it likewise emphasizes, though from different view-points, the history and fruits, as well as the present need and future mission of the Protestant Classics of the greatest of all reformers in their relation to the development of the human race.
Let us in this introduction briefly notice the following: The progress of the movement to translate and circulate Luther’s works in English, and then emphasize the need of developing an interest to read them; first, because of the relation of Luther and his writings to the public library; and secondly, because as the chief of the Teuton Protestant Church Fathers, we need to understand Luther in his relation to the Greek and Latin Church Fathers, and our true historic relations to them all.
THE PROGRESS OF THE MOVEMENT.
With profound gratitude to Almighty God for his rich blessing bestowed upon the publication and quick sale of the first volume, Luther’s Commentary on the Psalms, a book “the mourning soul cannot well be without,” we now send forth the first volume of his Commentary on Genesis, with the confidence that those, who think with Melanchthon that “a single page of Luther contains more sound divinity than many whole volumes,” will not change their opinion by studying this volume. Having purchased all the copies of Luther on Galatians and his Notes on the Gospels by Dr. P. Anstadt, and the right to reprint them, with two other volumes about ready for the press, one by Prof. E. F. Bartholomew, D.D., and another by Dr. Bernhard Pick, our progress is encouraging, especially since the movement has taken an intersynodical character with colaborers from every branch of our polyglot communion.
LUTHER ON THE OLD TESTAMENT NEEDED FIRST.
This volume on Genesis follows the first volume on the Psalms because the volumes ought to be published first that are needed most and will do the most good. As Professor of Old Testament Exegesis I found that like “Luther on the Psalms” so “Luther on Genesis” was not accessible to the English, Swedish, Norwegian and Danish students of theology, Prof. Bugge’s Norwegian translation of extracts from it being out of print. Therefore we believe this volume also will be welcomed by all Old Testament professors and students. While both these volumes will be a healthy corrective to the Old Testament critics, their contribution to the biblical knowledge and the devotional life of Protestantism cannot be exaggerated. Though first delivered to critical students they have also been extensively read in family worship. Luther began and closed his blessed ministry in the church of God not by fighting the Pope, but by expounding the Word of God. He began by explaining the whole Psalter from 1513 to 1516 (before 1517) forming volumes III and IV of the Kaiser Chronological Edition and closed his life’s labors by expounding the first book of the Bible, Genesis, which composes volumes I and II of the St. Louis Walch edition. He commenced with the penitential Psalms of David and ended with Moses, the earliest writings of the Old Testament. The reason so many preachers and congregations neglect the Old Testament is because it is neglected in the seminaries. God willing a volume of Luther on the Prophetical Books will be issued and then in all three years at the seminary the students may have something of Luther on the Pentateuch, Psalms and Prophets.
LUTHER’S WORDS ON PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
In the recent marvelous development of public libraries it is held if it is the duty of the state to teach the child to read for the welfare of the child and of the state, it is also the duty of the state to offer the child something to read. Hence the library is being supported by taxation like the public school, and the library buildings are being erected near the high schools. It is as President Roosevelt said while west recently, our civilization rests on the church, the school and the library. The library is the child of the church and school and will in turn greatly influence both. Luther, the founder of the Protestant Church, and the founder of the Public School, is also the founder of the Protestant Library. Yea, more, nearly four hundred years ago he united the school and the library as is proved by the following:
It is noteworthy that Luther closes his “Address to the Mayors and Aldermen of all the Cities of Germany in behalf of Christian Schools,” which is considered by educators for its pioneer character and statements of principles “the most important educational treatise ever written,” by a powerful appeal in behalf of public libraries which I give in full from Luther on Education by Prof. Painter.
Luther concludes that great educational treatise thus:
“Finally, this must be taken into consideration by all who earnestly desire to see such schools established and the study of the languages preserved in the German states; that no cost nor pains should be spared to procure good libraries in suitable buildings, especially in the large cities that are able to afford it. For if a knowledge of the Gospel and of every kind of learning is to be preserved, it must be embodied in books, as the prophets and apostles did, as I have already shown. This should be done, not only that our spiritual and civil leaders may have something to read and study, but also that good books may not be lost, and that the arts and languages may be preserved, with which God has graciously favored us. St. Paul was diligent in this matter, since he lays the injunction upon Timothy, ‘Give heed to reading,’ I Tim. 4:13, and directs him to bring the books, but especially the parchments left at Troas, 2 Tim. 4:13.
“All the kingdoms that have been distinguished in the world have bestowed care upon this matter, and particularly the Israelites, among whom Moses was the first to begin the work, who commanded them to preserve the book of the law in the ark of God, and put it under the care of Levites, that any one might procure copies from them. He even commanded the king to make a copy of this book in the hands of the Levites. Among other duties, God directed the Levitical priesthood to preserve and attend to the books. Afterwards Joshua increased and improved this library, as did subsequently Samuel, David, Solomon, Isaiah, and many kings and prophets. Hence have come to us the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament, which would not otherwise have been collected and preserved, if God had not required such diligence in regard to it.
“After this example collegiate churches and convents formerly founded libraries, although with few good books. And the injury from the neglect to procure books and good libraries, when there were men and books enough for that purpose, was afterwards perceived in the decline of every kind of knowledge; and instead of good books, the senseless, useless, and hurtful books of the monks, the Catholicon, Florista, Graecista, Labyrinthus, Dormi Secure (names of Latin grammars and collections of sermons), and the like, were introduced by Satan, so that the Latin language was corrupted, and neither good schools, good instruction, nor good methods of study remained. And as we see, the language and arts are, in an imperfect manner, recovered from fragments of old books rescued from the worms and dust; and every day men are seeking these literary remains, as people dig in the ashes of a ruined city after treasures and jewels.
“Therein we have received our just due, and God has well recompensed our ingratitude, in that we did not consider his benefits, and lay up a supply of good literature when we had time and opportunity, but neglected it, as if we were not concerned. He in turn, instead of the Holy Scriptures and good books, suffered Aristotle and numberless pernicious books to come into use, which only lead us further from the Bible. To these were added the progeny of Satan, the monks and the phantoms of the universities, which we founded at incredible cost, and many doctors, preachers, teachers, priests and monks, that is to say, great, coarse, fat fellows, adorned with red and brown caps, like swine led with a golden chain and decorated with pearls; and we have burdened ourselves with them, who have taught us nothing useful, but have made us more and more blind and stupid, and as a reward have consumed all our property, and filled all the cloisters, and indeed every corner with dregs and filth of their unclean and noxious books, of which we cannot think without horror.
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sp; “Has it not been a grievous misfortune that a boy has hitherto been obliged to study twenty years or longer, in order to learn enough miserable Latin to become a priest and to read the mass? And whosoever has succeeded in this has been called blessed, and blessed the mother that has borne such a child! And yet he has remained a poor ignorant man all through life, and has been of no real service whatever. Everywhere we have had such teachers and masters, who have known nothing themselves, who have been able to teach nothing useful, and who have been ignorant even of the right methods of learning and teaching. How has it come about? No books have been accessible but the senseless trash of the monks and sophists. How could the pupils and teacher differ from the books they studied? A crow does not hatch a dove, nor a fool make a man wise. That is the recompense of our ingratitude, in that we did not use diligence in the formation of libraries, but allowed good books to perish, and bad ones to survive.
“But my advice is not to collect all sorts of books indiscriminately thinking only of getting a vast number together. I would have discrimination used, because it is not necessary to collect the commentaries of the jurists, the productions of all the theologians, the discussions of all the philosophers, and the sermons of all the monks. Such trash I would reject altogether, and provide my library only with useful books; and in making the selection I would advise with learned men.
“In the first place, a library should contain the Holy Scriptures in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German and other languages. Then the best and most ancient commentators in Greek, Hebrew and Latin.
“Secondly, such books as are useful in acquiring the languages, as the poets and orators, without considering whether they are heathen or Christian, Greek or Latin. For it is from such works that grammar must be learned.
“Thirdly, books treating of all the arts and sciences.
“Lastly, books on jurisprudence and medicine, though here discrimination is necessary.
“A prominent place should be given to chronicles and histories, in whatever language they may be obtained; for they are wonderfully useful in understanding and regulating the course of the world, and in disclosing the marvelous works of God. O, how many noble deeds and wise maxims produced on German soil have been forgotten and lost, because no one at the time wrote them down; or if they were written, no one preserved the books; hence we Germans are unknown in other lands, and are called brutes that know only how to fight, eat and drink. But the Greeks and Romans, and even the Hebrews have recorded their history with such particularity, that even if a woman or child did anything noteworthy, all the world was obliged to read and know it; but we Germans are always Germans and will remain Germans.
Collected Works of Martin Luther Page 467