Westminster Larger Catechism, Question 99
Question 99
What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten commandments?
For the right understanding of the ten commandments, these rules are to be observed: 1. That the law is perfect, and bindeth everyone to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof, and unto entire obedience forever; so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty, and to forbid the least degree of every sin. 2. That it is spiritual, and so reaches the understanding, will, affections, and all other powers of the soul; as well as words, works, and gestures. 3. That one and the same thing, in divers respects, is required or forbidden in several commandments. 4. That as, where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden; and, where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is commanded: so, where a promise is annexed, the contrary threatening is included; and, where a threatening is annexed, the contrary promise is included. 5. That what God forbids, is at no time to be done; What he commands, is always our duty; and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times. 6. That under one sin or duty, all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded; together with all the causes, means, occasions, and appearances thereof, and provocations thereunto. 7. That what is forbidden or commanded to ourselves, we are bound, according to our places, to endeavor that it may be avoided or performed by others, according to the duty of their places. 8. That in what is commanded to others, we are bound, according to our places and callings, to be helpful to them; and to take heed of partaking with others in: What is forbidden them.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 19:77The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
James 2:1010Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Matthew 5:21-2221You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Romans 7:1414We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
Deuteronomy 6:55And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Matthew 5:27-2827You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:33-3433Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
34But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
Matthew 5:37-3937Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.
38You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’
39But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
Matthew 5:43-4443You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 22:37-3937Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
38This is the first and greatest commandment.
39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Colossians 3:55Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Amos 8:55asking, “When will the New Moon be over, that we may sell grain? When will the Sabbath end, that we may market wheat? Let us reduce the ephah and increase the shekel; let us cheat with dishonest scales.
Proverbs 1:1919Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors.
1 Timothy 6:11All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.
Isaiah 58:1313If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words,
Deuteronomy 6:1313Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
Matthew 4:9-109“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”
10“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Matthew 15:4-64For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’
5But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’
6he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Matthew 5:21-2521You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
23So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
Ephesians 4:2828He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
Exodus 20:1212Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Proverbs 30:1717As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
Jeremiah 18:7-87At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.
8But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.
Exodus 20:77You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Psalms 15:11O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain?
Psalms 15:4-54who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,
5who lends his money without interest and refuses a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.
Psalms 24:4-54He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation.
Job 13:77Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
Job 36:2121Be careful not to turn to iniquity, for this you have preferred to affliction.
Romans 3:88Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
Hebrews 11:2525He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Deuteronomy 4:8-98And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?
9Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren.
Matthew 12:77If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
Hebrews 10:24-2524And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
25Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:22-2322Abstain from every form of evil.
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:2626Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
Colossians 3:2121Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
Exodus 20:1010but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, on which you must not do any work—neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant or livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates.
Leviticus 19:1717You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.
Genesis 18:1919For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
Joshua 24:1515But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Deuteronomy 6:6-76These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts.
7And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
2 Corinthians 1:2424Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
1 Timothy 5:2222Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Source and edition
Westminster Larger Catechism. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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