Luther, Commentary on Galatians: "at the hands of the fanatics"

For pastors, there is a cause of anguish greater than the scourge of tyrants:

“Here you should learn that pious preachers have this lot in life. In addition to the persecutions that they have to endure from the wicked and ungrateful world and the hard labor that they experience in planting churches, they are forced to see the quick overthrow of what they had taught for so long in its purity, at the hands of the fanatics, who thereupon lord it over them and get the upper hand. This causes more anguish for godly ministers than any persecution by tyrants. Therefore let anyone who is reluctant to bear such contempt and reproach not become a minister of the Gospel; or if he is one, let him turn over his ministry to someone else. As you see we today are despised and troubled—outwardly by tyrants, inwardly by those whom we have liberated with the Gospel, as well as by the false brethren. But this is our comfort and glory: being called by God we have a promise of eternal life, and we look for that reward which ‘no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived’ (1 Cor. 2:9). For when Christ, the chief Shepherd, is manifested we shall obtain the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4); and even in this world He will not let us starve.”

Luther, Commentary on Galatians at Gal. 1:2

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There is as much futility in pastoral ministry as in any other labour. Thorns and thistles, the sweat of our brow, even in this sacred calling…

I’ll be bold enough to say the stakes are higher, and therefore, the anguish is more acute in the pastoral ministry than in other labors. Yes, futility in everything under the sun. But, nevertheless, look at Luther’s warning to never become a pastor or give up the pastoral ministry if you cannot endure the scenario he describes.

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And people will be ashamed of you. Ashamed to know you, to be a member in your church…

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,” ‭‭2 Tim. ‭1‬:8

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