2. Corinthians 11 (xix)

Bad preachers are lucky because every one bears with them and puts up with their stupidity. Even if people immediately sense or see that these preachers are crass fools, it doesn't bother them in the slightest and people think no worse of them for all that. But the opposite is the case for true teachers, people lie in wait when listening to their words or watching their works as if ready to pounce. And where they can find the smallest splinter (even if it is only an apparent one), they make a huge beam out of it. This is not a case of patience, but vain judgement, detraction and contempt. This is why the lot of a preacher is a miserable one in which no one would last long if they were not motivated solely by God's glory and the love of our neighbour. The preacher has to work, but let others have the credit and the gain and the preacher can expect trouble and scorn as his only reward. His lot is to love, not to enjoy, but also not to get annoyed. All this can only be done through God's Holy Spirit; flesh and blood have no chance.

(Extract from one of Luther's letters on the Reformation addressed to Melanchthon)

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