Drawing on the example of Saul’s murderous rage against the priests at Nob, Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) elucidates a qualification to what many argue is the plain teaching of Romans 13:1-7. Thus, while obedience to rulers is the general expectation of believers, when the rulers disobey the word of God, then their commands to act against…

The imprecatory Psalms have provided a lasting challenge for biblical interpreters, and many have struggled to understand how and when believers can pray for God’s judgement to come down upon their enemies. In considering this conundrum, Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560) seeks to discern a rubric for this practice, and in commenting on Psalm 59:1-5 sets out…

Many Reformation commentators believe the intent of Stephen’s speech to be self-evident and provide only cursory comment. Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560), on the other hand, unpacks Stephen’s words using syllogistic logic and argues that his primary concern was to demonstrate that Old Testament ceremonial forms of worship were not established as a lasting paradigm for relations…

Where Paul describes the qualities of a true apostle in contrast to the false teachers confronting the local church in 1 Cor 4:1-21, many of the reformers found valuable direction for those who sought to undertake faithful Christian ministry. In this way, Luther’s co-worker and successor as leader of the Lutheran movement, Phillip Melanchthon (1497-1560),…

Following the Reformation emphasis on justification by faith rather than human works, Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531), like many other sixteenth-century Protestant exegetes, finds the parents of John the Baptist to be excellent exemplars of the Christian life. In this way, Zwingli finds in Luke’s portrait of Zechariah and Elizabeth archetypes of a virtuous life, commendable for…

In the background of Huldrych Zwingli’s (1484-1531) reflection on 1 Kings 18:41-46 is the scholastic distinction between God’s absolute power (potentia absoluta), through which, restrained only by his nature and the law of noncontradiction, he can bring about all possibilities, and his ordained power (potentia ordinata), whereby God exercises his power according to the covenant…

In his exegesis of Genesis 2:7, Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) demonstrates that for the reformers, there are few details in the Scriptures that cannot be drawn out for homiletical and devotional effect. Thus, to Zwingli, the God’s use of clay is not incidental, but rather, this particular material demonstrates the impurity and basic equality of all…

Where the false teachers in Corinth took pride in their learning and eloquence, Paul makes clear that human wisdom and ability pale when compared to that of God. In commenting on 1 Cor 14:26, Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531), the reformer of Zurich, recognizes in the first disciples a foil to those who claim that worldly approval…

As leader of the Scottish Reformation, John Knox (1513-1572) lived in a time of religious turmoil, when false teaches were plentiful and lay believers were often unsure as to where firm foundations could be found. Thus in his Letter to the Scottish Brethren, Knox beseeches his audience to be on their guard against those sent…

Known for his fiery preaching, in this letter to two English churches (Epistle to Newcastle and Berwick), Scottish reformer John Knox (1513-1572) demonstrates his zeal. Imploring his audience to humility, he reminds them that the Lord’s calling is not instituted to fulfill their own desires and appetites. Instead, they should be resolute, ready to serve…

As David was delivered from the snares of Saul, John Knox deduces in his interpretation of 1 Samuel 19:1-7, so will God protect his followers from those who seek them harm. Indeed, Knox even goes so far in his Treatise on Prayer as to give a personal example, speaking of God delivering him from his own…

John Knox (1513-1572) was the chief architect in the reformation of the church in Scotland.  In his A Fort for The Afflicted Knox reflects on David’s anguish in the first of the penitential psalms, seeking to reassure believers that pain and suffering do not serve as signs of God’s absence. Rather, as in David’s case,…