Gerhard and Walther

This fire will destroy and burn up nothing else but sin. Consequently, the more a person sins, all the more straw and wood one piles onto this inexpressible fire of hell.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis I:153, 154.

According to our text, pure doctrine and knowledge are a gift from above. They are also a free gift, one that derives from divine grace. God showed no regard for merit in bestowing His Word upon the entire world, and He offers every person the power to recognize the need for His salvation.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 203.