"Now this is the work of the First Commandment, which commands: “Thou shalt have no other gods,” [Exo. 20:3] which means: ............as this Commandment is the
--very first, highest and best,
from which all
the others proceed,
--and by which they are directed
and measured,
--so also its work, that is, the faith or confidence in
God’s favor at all times, is the very first, highest and best, from
which all others must proceed, exist, remain, be directed and measured.
*Compared with this, other works are just as if the other if there were no God.
Therefore .... the works of the First Commandment are faith, hope and
love.
As I said above, such faith and confidence bring love and hope
with them."
Martin Luther
