From. Loy, Matthias. Sermons on the Gospels for the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Church Year. Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern, 1888.
https://www.lutheranlibrary.org/
1. Not Only Ministers
It of course refers to ministers, but not to these exclusively. The pastor is commanded to take heed unto himself and to the doctrine. The Word is committed to him as the minister of the Lord.
“Let a man so account of us as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Cor. 4:1.
As such stewards they must needs watch that the truth be not perverted, but be maintained for the glory of the Lord and the welfare of souls. Therefore the hearers are commanded:
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.” Heb. 13:17.
But such obedience is commanded only because they are bound to preach the Word of the Lord, so that he who heareth them hears His Word. Hence it is said to ministers:
“I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things.” 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
They are bound to guard the doctrine and resist all corruptions, contending earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints. But it would be dangerous as well as false to maintain, that they alone are to guard the purity of the Gospel. If that were the case the hearers would be subject entirely to the preachers, and the way would be opened for all the tyranny which Rome has practiced and to all the slavery to which it subjects the people. Then the ministers would justly claim the authority to decide what must be believed. and to dictate their faith to the people, instead of preaching the Word and urging the people to search the Scriptures, whether these things are so, that they may be convinced. from the infallible record. Those who urge that the doctrine is altogether a matter for preachers to determine and that others have nothing to do with it, know not what they do. They make the pastors lords over God’s heritage instead of ministers of the Lord and of the church, who are to preach His Word and give account to Him for the fidelity with which they declare and preserve the truth given by inspiration of God and written for our learning.
