📖 Biblical Definition
Italian Reformer (1499-1562) and one of the most learned of the second-generation Reformers. Born at Florence as Pietro Mariano Vermigli; entered the Lateran Canons (Augustinians) at age fifteen; trained at the University of Padua (1518-1526) where he received an exceptional Renaissance-humanist education in Greek, Hebrew, and classical letters; ordained 1525; served as prior at several Italian houses including Naples and Lucca. Converted to Reformation views through deep study of the Bible and through contact with Spanish Reformer Juan de Valdés and other Italian Reformation circles (the so-called Spirituali). When the Italian Inquisition began suppressing Reformation-sympathetic clergy in 1542, Vermigli fled Italy with several companions, taking refuge at Zurich and then at Strasbourg (where Bucer welcomed him). Vermigli taught Old Testament at Strasbourg (1542-1547); married Catharine Dampmartin (a former nun) in 1545. Recruited to England by Cranmer in 1547; appointed Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford (1547-1553); influential in the Edwardian Reformation; participated in the disputations on the Lord's Supper at Oxford (1549) that helped clarify the Reformed position. Upon Edward's death (1553) Vermigli returned to the Continent; taught at Strasbourg (1553-1556), then at Zurich (1556-1562) where he served alongside Bullinger. Vermigli's theological corpus includes extensive Old Testament commentaries (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, Lamentations), Pauline commentaries (1 Corinthians, Romans), and the posthumous Loci Communes (1576, his systematic theology compiled from the commentaries). Vermigli's substantive theological labor places him alongside Calvin and Bullinger as one of the great second-generation Reformed theologians.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Italian Reformer (1499-1562); one of the most learned second-generation Reformers; Augustinian Canon turned Reformer; Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford 1547-1553; extensive biblical commentaries; posthumous Loci Communes.
expand to see more
PETER MARTYR VERMIGLI, proper n. (1499-1562) Italian Reformer; one of the most learned second-generation Reformers. Born Florence as Pietro Mariano Vermigli; Lateran Canon (Augustinian) at 15; University of Padua 1518-1526 (Renaissance-humanist education in Greek, Hebrew, classical letters); ordained 1525; prior at several Italian houses. Converted through Bible study and contact with Juan de Valdés and Italian Spirituali. Fled Italy 1542 when Italian Inquisition began suppressing Reformation-sympathetic clergy. Refuge at Zurich and Strasbourg (welcomed by Bucer). Taught OT at Strasbourg 1542-1547; married Catharine Dampmartin 1545. Recruited by Cranmer 1547; Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford 1547-1553. Returned Continent after Edward's death; Strasbourg 1553-1556; Zurich 1556-1562 (with Bullinger). Extensive OT and Pauline commentaries; posthumous Loci Communes (1576).
📖 Key Scripture
Psalm 119:18 — "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
Proverbs 2:1-6 — "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God."
2 Timothy 3:14-15 — "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures."
Acts 18:24-26 — "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. Vermigli is somewhat overlooked in popular Reformation history; the principal recovery is the appreciation of his substantive theological corpus and influence.
expand to see more
Peter Martyr Vermigli as a proper name does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal contemporary mishandling is the popular under-appreciation of Vermigli relative to Calvin, Luther, Zwingli, and even Bullinger. Vermigli's Renaissance-humanist education was among the finest of any Reformer; his Hebrew and Greek were unmatched among his peers; his extensive Old Testament commentaries (covering more OT material than Calvin himself wrote on) are substantive Reformed exegetical works; his posthumous Loci Communes (1576) presented a substantive Reformed systematic theology. The contemporary Reformation Heritage Books and the Peter Martyr Library project have made much of Vermigli's corpus available in English again. The patriarchal-Reformed reader values Vermigli's substantive learning and theological corpus.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Italian Reformer; Augustinian Canon turned Reformer; Oxford 1547-1553; Strasbourg, Zurich; extensive OT and Pauline commentaries.
expand to see more
['Italian', '—', 'Vermigli', 'Florentine surname']
['Latin', '—', 'Petrus Martyr', 'Peter Martyr (after Peter Martyr of Verona, the namesake Vermigli kept)']
['Latin', '—', 'Loci Communes', 'Common Places (his systematic theology, posthumous 1576)']
Usage
"Vermigli was one of the most learned of the second-generation Reformers."
"Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford 1547-1553 under Edward VI."
"Posthumous Loci Communes (1576) presents substantive Reformed systematic theology."