Justus Jonas

Justus Jonas, the Elder (5 June 1493 – 9 October 1555), or simply Justus Jonas, was a German Lutheran theologian and reformer. He was a Jurist, Professor and Hymn writer. He is best known for his translations of the writings of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon.¹ He accompanied Martin Luther in his final moments.

Life and church

Jonas was born at Nordhausen in present-day Thuringia where he was the son of the burgermeister. His birth name was Jodokus (Jobst) Koch, which he changed according to the common custom of German scholars in the sixteenth century, when at the University of Erfurt. He entered that university in 1506, studied law and the humanities, and became Master of Arts in 1510. In 1511, he went to University of Wittenberg, where he took his bachelor's degree in law. He returned to Erfurt in Thuringia during 1514 or 1515 was ordained priest.²³⁴

In 1518, he was appointed Canon of St. Severus Church (Severikirche) in Erfurt which was a collegiate church. In 1519, he became Rector of the University of Erfurt. In 1521, he was appointed Probst of All Saints' Church (Schlosskirche) at Wittenberg and Professor of Church Law in the University of Wittenberg. From 1541 to 1546, he served as superintendent and chief pastor at .