Collected Works of Martin Luther

by Martin Luther

  1520

  PREFACE

  THE ORDINARY CHRISTIAN, who cannot read the Scriptures, is required to learn and know the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer; and this has not come to pass without God’s special ordering. For these three contain fully and completely everything that is in the Scriptures, everything that ever should be preached, and everything that a Christian needs to know, all put so briefly and so plainly that no one can make complaint or excuse, saying that what he needs or his salvation is too long or too hard to remember.

  Three things a man needs to know in order to be saved. First, he must know what he ought to do and what he ought not to do. Second, when he finds that by his own strength he can neither do the things he ought, nor leave undone the things he ought not to do, he must know where to seek and find and get the strength he needs. Third, he must know how to seek and find and get this strength.

  When a man is ill, he needs to know first what his illness is, — what he can do and what he cannot do. Then he needs to know where to find the remedy that will restore his health and help him to do and leave undone the things he ought. Third, he must ask for this remedy, and seek it, and get it or have it brought to him. In like manner, the Commandments teach a man to know his illness, so that he feels and sees what he can do and what he cannot do, what he can and what he cannot leave undone, and thus knows himself to be a sinner and a wicked man. After that the Creed shows him and teaches him where he may find the remedy, — the grace which helps him to become a good man and to keep the Commandments; it shows him God, and the mercy which He has revealed and offered in Christ. In the third place, the Lord’s Prayer teaches him how to ask or this grace, get it, and take it to himself, to wit, by habitual, humble, comforting prayer; then grace is given, and by the fulfillment of God’s commandments he is saved.

  These are the three chief things in all the Scriptures. Therefore we begin at the beginning, with the Commandments, which are the first thing, and learn to recognise our sin and wickedness, that is, our spiritual illness, which prevents us from doing the things we ought to do and leaving undone the things we ought not to do.

  THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

  THE FIRST Table

  The First Table of Moses — the Table of the Right Hand — contains the first three Commandments, In these man is taught his duty toward God, what things he is in duty bound to do, and what to leave undone.

  The First Commandment

  The First Commandment teaches how man shall treat God inwardly, in the heart, that is, how he ought always to remember Him and think of Him and esteem Him. To Him, as to a Father and good Friend, man is to look at all times or all good things, in all trust and faith and love, with fear; he is not to offend Him, but trust Him as a child its father. For nature teaches us that there is one God, Who gives all good and helps against all evil, as even the heathen show us by their worshiping of idols. This commandment is,

  Thou shalt have no other gods.

  The Second Commandment

  The Second Commandment teaches how man shall act toward God outwardly, in words, before other men, or even inwardly before his own self; that is, he shall honor God’s Name. For no one can show God either to himself or to others in His divine nature, but only in His names. This commandment is,

  Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.

  The Third Commandment

  The Third Commandment teaches how man shall act toward God outwardly in deeds, that is, in the worship of God. It is,

  Thou shalt hallow the holy day.1

  These three commandments, then, teach how man is to act toward God in thoughts, words and deeds, — that is, in all his life.

  The Second Table

  The Second Table of Moses — the Table of the Left Hand — contains the other seven Commandments. In these man is taught what he is in duty bound to do and not to do to other men, that is, to his neighbor,

  The Fourth Commandment

  The first of them teaches how one is to conduct oneself toward all the authorities who are God’s representatives. Therefore, it has its place before the rest, and immediately after the first three, which concern God Himself. Such authorities are father and mother, spiritual and temporal lords, etc. It is,

  Honor thy father and thy mother.

  The second teaches how one is to conduct oneself toward one’s neighbor in matters that concern his person, — not to do him injury, but to benefit and help him when he is in need. It is,

  Thou shalt not kill.

  The Sixth Commandment

  The third teaches how one is to conduct oneself toward the best possession one’s neighbor has next to his person, — that is, toward his wife, his child, his friend. He is to put no shame upon them, but to preserve their honor, so far as he is able. It is,

  Thou shalt not commit adultery.

  The Seventh Commandment

  The fourth teaches how one is to conduct oneself toward one’s neighbor’s temporal possessions, — not to take them from him or hinder him in their use, but to aid him in increasing them. It is,

  Thou shalt not steal.

  The Eighth Commandment

  The fifth teaches how one is to conduct oneself toward one’s neighbor’s worldly honor and good name, — not to impair them, but to increase and guard and protect them. It is,

  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

  So, then, it is forbidden to harm one’s neighbor in any of his possessions, and it is commanded to advance his interests. If we consider the natural law,2 we find how just and right all these commandments are; for there is no act here commanded, toward God or one’s neighbor, that each of us would not wish to have done toward himself, if he were God, or in God’s place or his neighbor’s.

  The Ninth and Tenth Commandments

  The last two Commandments teach how wicked human nature is, and how pure we should be from all the desires of the flesh and desires for this world’s goods; but that means struggle and labor as long as we live here below. They are,

  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.

  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

  A BRIEF CONCLUSION TO THE TEN COMANDMENTS

  CHRIST HIMSELF SAYS, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them; this is the whole law and all the prophets.” [Matt. 7:12] Now no one wishes to receive ingratitude for benefits conferred or to let another take away his good name. No one wishes to have pride shown toward him. No one wishes to endure disobedience, wrath, a wife’s impurity, robbery, lying, deceit, slander; but every one wishes to find in his neighbor kindliness, thankfulness, helpfulness, truth and fidelity. All this the Ten Commandments require.

  THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE COMMANDMENTS

  AGAINST THE FIRST

  the First Commandment

  He who in his tribulation seeks the help of sorcery, black art, or witchcraft.

  He who uses letters3, signs, herbs, words4, charms and the like.

  He who uses divining-rods and incantations, and practices crystal-gazing, cloak-riding, and milk-stealing5.

  He who orders his life and work by lucky days, the signs of the zodiac and the advice of the fortune-tellers.

  He who seeks by charms and incantations to protect himself, his cattle, his house, his children and all his property against wolves, iron, fire and water.

  He who blames his misfortunes and tribulations on the devil or on wicked men, and does not accept them with praise and love, as good and evil which come from God alone, and who does not ascribe them to God with thanksgiving and willing patience.

  He who tempts God, and needlessly puts himself in danger of body or soul.

  He who glories in his piety, his wisdom, or other spiritual gifts.

  He who honors God and the saints only for the sake of temporal gain, and is forgetful of his soul’s need.

  He who does n
ot trust in God at all times, and is not confident of

  God’s mercy in all he does.

  He who doubts concerning the faith or the grace of God.

  He who does not keep back others from unbelief and doubt, and does not help them, so far as in him lies, to believe and trust in God’s grace.

  Here, too, belong all forms of unbelief, despair, and misbelief.

  Against the Second

  The Second Commandment

  He who swears needlessly or habitually.

  He who perjures himself, or breaks a vow.

  He who vows or swears to do evil.

  He who curses by God’s name.

  He who tells foolish tales of God, and frivolously perverts the words of Scripture.

  He who in his tribulation calls not upon God’s name, nor blesses Him in joy and sorrow, in good fortune and in ill.

  He who by his piety, wisdom or the like seeks reputation and honor and a name.

  He who calls upon God’s name falsely, as do the heretics and all vainglorious saints.

  He who does not praise God’s name in all that befalls him.

  He who does not resist those that dishonor the name of God, use it falsely and work evil by it.

  Here belong all the sins of vainglory and spiritual pride.

  Against the Third

  The Third Commandment

  He who is given to gluttony, drunkenness, gambling, dancing, idleness and unchastity.

  He who is lazy, who sleeps when he ought to be at mass, stays away from mass, goes walking and indulges in idle talk.

  He who without special need works and transacts business on the Lord’s day.

  He who prays not, meditates not upon Christ’s sufferings, repents not of his sins and asks no grace, and therefore keeps the day only in outward fashion, by his dress, his food and his actions.

  He who in all his works and sufferings is not satisfied that God shall do with him as He will.

  He who does not help others to do this and does not resist them when they do otherwise.

  Here belongs the sin of slothfulness and indifference to worship.

  Against the Fourth

  The Fourth Commandment

  He who is ashamed of his parents because of their poverty, their failings or their lowly position.

  He who does not provide them with food and clothing in their need.

  Much more, he who curses them, speaks evil of them, hates them and disobeys them.

  He who does not from the heart esteem them highly because of God’s commandment.

  He who does not honor them, even though they do wrong and violence.

  He who does not keep the commandments of the Christian Church with respect to fast- and feast-days, etc.

  He who dishonors, slanders and insults the priestly office.

  He who dost not pay honor, allegiance and obedience to his lords and those in authority, be they good or bad.

  Among the transgressors of this commandment are all heretics, schismatics, apostates, excommunicates, hardened sinners and the like.

  He who does not help men to keep this commandment and resist those who break it.

  Here belong all forms of pride and disobedience.

  Against the Fifth

  The Fifth Commandment

  He who is angry with his neighbor.

  He who sayeth to his neighbor, Raca, which stands for all terms of anger and hatred. [Matt. 5:22]

  He who sayeth to his neighbor, Fatue, “thou fool,” which stands for every sort of vile language, cursing, slander, evil speaking, judging, condemning, mockery, etc.

  He who scolds about his neighbor’s sins or failings, and does not rather cover and excuse them.

  He who forgives not his enemies nor prays for them, is not kindly disposed toward them and does them no good.

  This commandment includes also all the sins of anger and hatred, such as murder, war, robbery, arson, quarreling, contention, envy of a neighbor’s good fortune and joy over his misfortune.

  He who does not practice works of mercy even toward his enemies.

  He who sets men at enmity with one another.

  He who sows discord between man and man.

  He who does not reconcile those who are at enmity.

  He who does not hinder or prevent wrath and enmity when he is able.

  Against the Sixth

  The Sixth Commandment

  He who seduces virgins, commits adultery and is guilty of incest and like unchastity.

  He who uses unnatural means to satisfy his desires — these are the “mute sins.”6

  He who arouses or displays evil desires with obscene words, songs, tales or pictures.

  He who by looks, touch or thoughts arouses his own desires and defiles himself.

  He who does not avoid the causes of unchastity, such as gluttony, drunkenness, idleness, laziness, oversleeping and intimate association with men or women.

  He who by extravagant dress or demeanor incites others to unchastity.

  He who gives house, place, time or help to the commission of this sin.

  He who does not by word and deed help others to preserve their chastity.

  Against the Seventh

  The Seventh Commandment

  He who practices thievery, robbery and usury.

  He who uses false weights and measures, or sells bad wares for good.

  He who receives bequests and incomes dishonestly. He who withholds wages that have been earned, and repudiates a debt.

  He who will not lend to a needy neighbor without taking interest.7

  All who are avaricious and make haste to be rich, and do any of those other things by which a neighbor’s property is withheld or taken away.

  He who does not protect another against loss.

  He who does not warn another against loss.

  He who places an obstacle in the way of his neighbor’s profit and begrudges his neighbor’s gains.

  Against the Eighth

  The Eight Commandment

  He who conceals or suppresses the truth in a court of law.

  He who lies and deceives to another’s hurt.

  All hurtful flatterers, whisperers and double-dealers.

  He who speaks evil of his neighbor’s possessions, lie, words and works and defames them.

  He who gives place to slanderers, helps them on and does not resist them.

  He who does not use his tongue to defend his neighbor’s good name.

  He who does not rebuke the slanderer.

  He who does not say all good of every man and keep silent about all evil.

  He who conceals or does not defend the truth.

  Against the Last Two

  The Ninth and Tenth Commandments

  The last two commandments have no place in confession8, but are set as a goal to which we are to attain, and toward which, through repentance and by the help and grace of God, we are daily to strive; or wicked inclinations do not wholly die, until the flesh turns to dust and is new created9.

  The “five senses”10 are included in the Fifth and Sixth Commandments; the “six works of mercy,” in the Fifth and Seventh; of the “seven deadly sins,” pride is included in the First and Second, unchastity in the Sixth, anger, and hatred in the Fifth, gluttony in the Sixth, indolence in the Third, and indeed in all the commandments. The “alien sins” are included in all the commandments, or it is possible to sin against all the commandments by bidding, advising and helping others to sin against them. The “crying sins” and the “mute sins” are committed against the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Commandments, etc.

  In all these works we see nothing else than self-love, which seeks its own, takes from God what is His, from men what is theirs, and out of all it is and all it has and all it can do gives nothing either to God or men. St. Augustine well says, “The beginning of all sin is the love of one’s own self.”11

  From all this it follows that the commandments command nothing but love and forbid nothing but love; nothing but love
fulfils the commandments and nothing but love breaks them. Wherefore, St. Paul says that love is the fulfilling of all commandments; just as evil love is the transgression of all commandments.

  The Fulfilment of the Commandments

  Of the First

  The First Commandment

  To fear and love God in true faith, and always, in all our works, to trust Him firmly, and be wholly, completely, altogether resigned in all things, whether they be evil or good.

  Here belongs whatever is written in all the Scriptures concerning faith, hope and love of God, all of which is briefly comprehended in this commandment.

  Of the Second

  The Second Commandment

  To praise, honor, bless and call upon God’s Name, and to count our own name and honor as altogether nothing, so that God alone may be praised; for He alone is all things, and worketh all things.

  Here belongs all that is taught in the Scripture about rendering praise and honor and thanks to God, about God’s name and about joy in Him.

  Of the Third

  The Third Commandment

  To prepare oneself for God and to seek His grace by praying, hearing mass and the Gospel, and meditating on the sufferings of Christ, so that one goes to the sacrament in a spiritual manner; for this commandment requires a soul “poor in spirit,” [Matt. 5:3.] which offers its nothingness to God, that He may be its God and receive in it the honor due His work and Name according to the first two commandments.

  Here belongs all that is commanded about worship, the hearing of sermons, and good works by which the body is made subject to the spirit, so that all our works may be God’s and not our own.

  Of the Fourth

  The Fourth Commandment

  Willing obedience, humility, submission to all authority because it is God’s good-pleasure, as the Apostle St. Peter says, without retort, complaint or murmuring.

  Here belongs all that is written of obedience, humility, submissiveness and reverence.

  Of the Fifth

  The Fifth Commandment

  Patience, meekness, kindness, peacefulness, mercy, and a heart in all things sweet and kindly, without hatred, anger or bitterness toward any man, even toward enemies. Here belong all the teachings about patience, meekness, peace and concord.