March 30, 1528 (Part 1)

Having returned from Torgau to Wittenberg, Professor Martin Luther lectures on 1 Timothy 6:11–17:

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, ¹⁴ to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.¹⁷ As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Our Quotation is taken from the middle of the lecture, Luther’s comments on v. 13.

Quotation:

“I charge you.” Paul always keeps one eye [1] on the false apostles. Just as it is always customary for him to emphasize the point of redemption, so it is always customary for him to repeat a point of confutation. He wants to keep the pure Word intact in the church. That is why he so often pleads and warns. Because the doctrine of faith and love cannot be sufficiently emphasized. It cannot be preached as diligently as Satan goes about. Therefore, one must watch what is taught and how one lives, because “he goes about.” [1 Pet. 5:8] Paul addresses Timothy with a great oath, because he knows this: “In the presence of God … and Jesus.” They are one God, because otherwise he would not swear by both. His had been a “good” confession. Why? Because it had been His own Word which He had taught. He had been crucified for His Gospel. They could not bear the Gospel by which He challenged their righteousness. That is, He constantly confessed the Word which He had taught. “I have spoken openly,” etc. [John 18:20] And “I have come to bear witness of the truth,” etc. [John 18:37] Note this: As far as Christ was concerned, He suffered for us; but as far as the Jews were concerned, He died because of His Word. Because of this confession, He paid His own life, that we may have the pure Word. Therefore, Paul says, because of Him, “I charge you.” How could he speak more forcefully? [2]

Notes

[1] Latin: oculus obliquos: “a slantwise eye”[?]

[2] German: “wie kunds er hefftiger?“