_The Large Catechism_
by Dr. Martin Luther
Translated by F. Bente and W. H. T. Dau
Published in:
_Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books
of the Ev. Lutheran Church._
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), pp. 565-773
Part 9
Conclusion of the Ten Commandments.
Thus we have the Ten Commandments, a compend of divine
doctrine, as to what we are to do in order that our whole
life may be pleasing to God, and the true fountain and
channel from and in which everything must arise and flow
that is to be a good work, so that outside of the Ten
Commandments no work or thing can be good or pleasing to
God, however great or precious it be in the eyes of the
world. Let us see now what our great saints can boast of
their spiritual orders and their great and grievous works
which they have invented and set up, while they let these
pass, as though they were far too insignificant, or had
long ago been perfectly fulfilled.
I am of opinion indeed, that here one will find his hands
full, [and will have enough] to do to observe these,
namely, meekness, patience, and love towards enemies,
chastity, kindness, etc., and what such virtues imply.
But such works are not of value and make no display in
the eyes of the world; for they are not peculiar and
conceited works and restricted to particular times,
places, rites, and customs, but are common, every-day
domestic works which one neighbor can practise toward
another; therefore they are not of high esteem.
But the other works cause people to open their eyes and
ears wide, and men aid to this effect by the great
display, expense, and magnificent buildings with which
they adorn them, so that everything shines and glitters.
There they waft incense, they sing and ring bells, they
light tapers and candles, so that nothing else can be
seen or heard. For when a priest stands there in a
surplice embroidered with gilt, or a layman continues all
day upon his knees in church, that is regarded as a most
precious work which no one can sufficiently praise. But
when a poor girl tends a little child and faithfully does
what she is told that is considered nothing; for else
what should monks and nuns seek in their cloisters?
But see, is not that a cursed presumption of those
desperate saints who dare to invent a higher and better
life and estate than the Ten Commandments teach,
pretending (as we have said) that this is an ordinary
life for the common man, but that theirs is for saints
and perfect ones? And the miserable blind people do not
see that no man can get so far as to keep one of the Ten
Commandments as it should be kept, but both the Apostles'
Creed and the Lord's Prayer must come to our aid (as we
shall hear), by which that [power and strength to keep
the commandments] is sought and prayed for and received
continually. Therefore all their boasting amounts to as
much as if I boasted and said: To be sure, I have not a
penny to make payment with, but I confidently undertake
to pay ten florins.
All this I say and urge in order that men might become
rid of the sad misuse which has taken such deep root and
still cleaves to everybody, and in all estates upon earth
become used to looking hither only, and to being
concerned about these matters. For it will be a long time
before they will produce a doctrine or estates equal to
the Ten Commandments, because they are so high that no
one can attain to them by human power; and whoever does
attain to them is a heavenly, angelic man far above all
holiness of the world. Only occupy yourself with them,
and try your best, apply all power and ability and you
will find so much to do that you will neither seek nor
esteem any other work or holiness.
Let this be sufficient concerning the first part of the
common Christian doctrine, both for teaching and urging
what is necessary. In conclusion, however, we must repeat
the text which belongs here, of which we have treated
already in the First Commandment, in order that we may
learn what pains God requires to the end we may learn to
inculcate and practise the Ten Commandments:
For I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third
and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing
mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My
commandments.
Although (as we have heard above) this appendix was
primarily attached to the First Commandment, it was
nevertheless [we cannot deny that it was] laid down for
the sake of all the commandments, as all of them are to
be referred and directed to it. Therefore I have said
that this, too, should be presented to and inculcated
upon the young, that they may learn and remember it, in
order to see what is to urge and compel us to keep these
Ten Commandments. And it is to be regarded as though this
part were specially added to each, so that it inheres in,
and pervades, them all.
Now, there is comprehended in these words (as said
before) both an angry word of threatening and a friendly
promise to terrify and warn us, and, moreover to induce
and encourage us to receive and highly esteem His Word as
a matter of divine earnestness, because He Himself
declares how much He is concerned about it, and how
rigidly He will enforce it, namely, that He will horribly
and terribly punish all who despise and transgress His
commandments; and again, how richly He will reward,
bless, and do all good to those who hold them in high
esteem, and gladly do and live according to them. Thus He
demands that all our works proceed from a heart which
fears and regards God alone, and from such fear avoids
everything that is contrary to His will, lest it should
move Him to wrath; and, on the other hand, also trusts in
Him alone, and from love to Him does all He wishes,
because he speaks to us as friendly as a father, and
offers us all grace and every good.
Just this is also the meaning and true interpretation of
the first and chief commandment, from which all the
others must flow and proceed, so that this word: Thou
shalt have no other gods before Me, in its simplest
meaning states nothing else than this demand: Thou shalt
fear, love, and trust in Me as thine only true God. For
where there is a heart thus disposed towards God, the
same has fulfilled this and all the other commandments.
On the other hand, whoever fears and loves anything else
in heaven and upon earth will keep neither this nor any.
Thus the entire scriptures have everywhere preached and
inculcated this commandment, aiming always at these two
things: fear of God and trust in Him. And especially the
prophet David throughout the Psalms, as when he says [Ps.
147,11]: The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him,
in those that hope in His mercy. As if the entire
commandment were explained by one verse, as much as to
say: The Lord taketh pleasure in those who have no other
gods.
Thus the First Commandment is to shine and impart its
splendor to all the others. Therefore you must let this
declaration run through all the commandments, like a hoop
in a wreath, joining the end to the beginning and holding
them all together, that it be continually repeated and
not forgotten; as, namely, in the Second Commandment,
that we fear God and do not take His name in vain for
cursing, lying, deceiving, and other modes of leading men
astray, or rascality, but make proper and good use of it
by calling upon Him in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving,
derived from love and trust according to the First
Commandment. In like manner such fear, love, and trust is
to urge and force us not to despise His Word, but gladly
to learn, hear, and esteem it holy, and honor it.
Thus continuing through all the following commandments
towards our neighbor likewise, everything is to proceed
by virtue of the First Commandment, to wit, that we honor
father and mother, masters, and all in authority and be
subject and obedient to them, not on their own account,
but for God's sake. For you are not to regard or fear
father or mother, or from love of them do or omit
anything. But see to that which God would have you do,
and what He will quite surely demand of you; if you omit
that, you have an angry Judge, but in the contrary case a
gracious Father.
Again, that you do your neighbor no harm, injury, or
violence, nor in any wise encroach upon him as touching
his body, wife, property, honor, or rights, as all these
things are commanded in their order, even though you have
opportunity and cause to do so and no man would reprove
you; but that you do good to all men, help them, and
promote their interest, howsoever and wherever you can,
purely from love of God and in order to please Him, in
the confidence that He will abundantly reward you for
everything. Thus you see how the First Commandment is the
chief source and fountainhead which flows into all the
rest, and again, all return to that and depend upon it,
so that beginning and end are fastened and bound to each
other.
This (I say) it is profitable and necessary always to
teach to the young people, to admonish them and to remind
them of it, that they may be brought up not only with
blows and compulsion, like cattle, but in the fear and
reverence of God. For where this is considered and laid
to heart that these things are not human trifles, but the
commandments of the Divine Majesty, who insists upon them
with such earnestness, is angry with, and punishes those
who despise them, and, on the other hand, abundantly
rewards those who keep them, there will be a spontaneous
impulse and a desire gladly to do the will of God.
Therefore it is not in vain that it is commanded in the
Old Testament to write the Ten Commandments on all walls
and corners, yes, even on the garments, not for the sake
of merely having them written in these places and making
a show of them, as did the Jews, but that we might have
our eyes constantly fixed upon them, and have them always
in our memory, and that we might practise them in all our
actions and ways, and every one make them his daily
exercise in all cases, in every business and transaction,
as though they were written in every place wherever he
would look, yea, wherever he walks or stands. Thus there
would be occasion enough, both at home in our own house
and abroad with our neighbors, to practise the Ten
Commandments, that no one need run far for them.
From this it again appears how highly these Ten
Commandments are to be exalted and extolled above all
estates, commandments, and works which are taught and
practised aside from them. For here we can boast and say:
Let all the wise and saints step forth and produce, if
they can, a [single] work like these commandments, upon
which God insists with such earnestness, and which He
enjoins with His greatest wrath and punishment, and,
besides, adds such glorious promises that He will pour
out upon us all good things and blessings. Therefore they
should be taught above all others, and be esteemed
precious and dear, as the highest treasure given by God.
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