Luther's Works - Volume 19

Luther''s Works: The American Edition, published by Concordia and Fortress Press between 1955 and 1986, comprises fifty-five volumes. These are a selection representing only about a third of Luther''s works in the Latin and German of the standard Weimar Edition, not including the German Bible. Among the minor prophets, Jonah and Habakkuk were obviously of special significance for Martin Luther. The special treatment accorded these two is matched only in the case of one other of the minor prophets- Zechariah (Vol.20). In addition to the usual Latin lectures, Luther added popular versions in the manner of a German commentary, carefully written out expressly for printed publication. It is clear why Luther gave these prophets the chance to speak to a wider audience: Jonah and Habakkuk have a message for all of humankind. Of Jonah, Luther says, "[Jonah] teaches us not to despair of the fruit of the Gospel, no matter how badly it appears to be devoid of fruit