Spread Oh Spread the Mighty Word
Spread, oh spread the mighty word
This hymn embodies the Lutheran emphasis on the power of the Gospel and the apostolic command to proclaim God's Word to all nations. It reflects the missionary impulse that animated Lutheran churches while maintaining focus on Christ as the central message of all proclamation.
History & Background
Originally composed in German by Jonathan Friedrich Bahnmaier in 1817 as a missionary hymn for the Swabian Pietist tradition. It was translated into English by Kate Utility Hankey in the latter nineteenth century and became widely used in Lutheran hymnals.
Hymnal Appearances
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 821
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 379
- Lutheran Service Book — 830
- Lutheran Worship — 321
- New Century Hymnal — 166
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 507
- With One Voice — 790
Translation
Bulletin Note
Written in 1817 by German pastor Jonathan Friedrich Bahnmaier, this missionary hymn reflects Lutheran confidence in the Gospel's transformative power. It remains a stirring call to witness across generations and borders.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the paradox of Lutheran mission theology: the desperate human need for saving grace meets the joyful command to witness, reminding us that Gospel proclamation is both urgent response to the Law's exposure of sin and eager invitation to freely given grace.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law to Gospel: from the demand of belief and baptism, through Christ's redemptive work and Spirit-empowered perseverance, to doxological assurance of eternal inheritance
Themes
Evangelism and missions Gospel proclamation The Great Commission Word of God Christian witness