An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
II. WHAT IS COMMANDED.
We should HONOR them as those who are placed over us by God's appointment, look up to them, and always treat them with proper respect [Lev. 19:3, Eph 6:2, 3+] and consideration. SERVE them, be helpful to them, lighten their burdens, and anticipate their wishes. [I Tim. 5:4] OBEY them by cheerfully and promptly doing their will, even when it is not to our liking. [Eph. 6:1, Col. 3:20+, Prov. 1:8] LOVE them, and show our love by a constant desire and effort to please them. We should call to mind what they have done and still do for us, that our love for them may grow deep and tender. [John 19:26, 27] ESTEEM them. We should regard and appreciate them as a precious gift of God. Children who have lost father or mother have met with a great loss. IN LATER YEARS. We should honor, love and _obey_ our parents while we are young; and we should still _love_ and _honor_ them when we are older. We must not despise or be ashamed of them if we happen to rise to a higher position in life than they. When they have grown old and feeble, we should care tenderly for them; and after they are dead, we should treasure their memory. OUR DUTY TO OUR SUPERIORS. [Rom. 13:7+] The Pastor is to be honored for the sake of the office which he holds. He is the ambassador of Christ; [II Cor. 5:20] and when he preaches the Gospel, or speaks words of admonition and counsel in private, the Saviour speaks through him. Those who hear him hear Christ; those who despise him despise Christ. [Luke 10:16] We should heed his admonitions, [Heb. 13:17+, I Thess. 5:12, 13] and, as far as we are able, help and encourage him in his work.
Our Teachers in Sunday-school and in other schools are placed over us in a position of authority, and must therefore be respected and honored. Rulers and the Government. The State is God's servant to regulate temporal affairs and to maintain law and order in the land. Rulers and officials of the government must be respected and honored. [Matt. 22:21+, Rom. 13:1-4+] Christians must be good citizens. They must always obey the law, so long as it does not conflict with the law of God. [I Pet. 2:13, Acts 5:29] They should be patriotic, pray for their country, be ready to defend it, pay their taxes, and be concerned that it shall be a Christian land. Every voter shares in the responsibility of securing righteous government, and should cast his vote conscientiously. OLD PERSONS in general are to be treated with respect and honor. [Lev. 19:32+] A special blessing is promised to those who keep this commandment.
QUESTIONS.--1. What does the Second Table of the Law teach? 2. What is meant by "our neighbor"? 3. What is the position of parents in the family? 4. What is meant by "superiors"? 5. To whom is our highest obedience due? 6. What does this commandment forbid, and what does it command? 7. In order to avoid despising or displeasing our parents, what should we not do? 8. Why and how should we honor them? 9. How should we serve them? 10. How should we obey them? 11. How should we show our love to them? 12. What should we always remember concerning our parents? 13. What is meant by esteeming them? 14. How should we regard and treat them when we have grown older? 15. What is our duty to our pastor? 16. What is our duty to our teachers? 17. Why should we honor our rulers? 18. What are a Christian's duties to his country? 19. How must we treat old persons in general? 20. What special blessing is promised to those who keep this commandment? SCRIPTURE VERSES.--Prov. 30:17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. Deut. 27:16. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother: and all the people shall say, Amen.
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