Reformed Confessions & Catechisms

5th Commandment (Authority)

19 passages across 3 documents address 5th Commandment (Authority). The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Foundation and Placement of the Commandment

"This fifth commandment, moreover, respecting the honor due to parents, which Jereme expressly calls the fifth in order, is placed first in the second table: 1. Because it is the foundation, cause, and bond of obedience to all the other commandments belonging to this table." "Because God has connected with this commandment a special promise of long life, which is always regarded as a great blessing, to those who render obedience to this precept of the Decalogue." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, equals." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

II. The Scope of the Commandment: Superiors and Inferiors

"The design or end of this commandment is the preservation of civil order, which God has appointed in the mutual duties between inferiors and their superiors." "Superiors are all those whom God has placed over others, for the purpose of governing and defending them. Inferiors are those whom God has placed under others, that they may be governed and defended by them."

"Superiors are included in this commandment under the terms father and mother, and are: 1. Parents themselves, from whom we have proceeded. 2. Tutors and guardians of children. 3. Schoolmasters, teachers, and ministers of the gospel. 4. Magistrates, whether high or low. 5. Elders." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"The end of this commandment is, that since the Lord takes pleasure in the preservation of his own ordinance, the degrees of dignity appointed by him must be held inviolable." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"The sum of the commandment, therefore, will be, that we are to look up to those whom the Lord has set over us, yielding them honour, gratitude, and obedience." [John Calvin - Institutes]

III. The Paternal Archetype and Divine Refulgence

"God, in this commandment, makes mention of parents in preference to other governors, and requires that they should be honored: 1. Because the paternal power and government was the first that was established amongst men. 2. Because this is, as it were, the rule and pattern according to which all other forms of government should be formed and exercised." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"Those, therefore, to whom he imparts such titles, he distinguishes by some small spark of his refulgence, so as to entitle them to honour, each in his own place." "In this way, we must consider that our earthly father possesses something of a divine nature in him, because there is some reason for his bearing a divine title, and that he who is our prince and ruler is admitted to some communion of honour with God." [John Calvin - Institutes]

IV. The Mutual Duties of Authority

"...when God requires parents to be honored, he at the same time demands that they so discharge the duties of parents as to be worthy of honor; and in thus enjoining the duties which are devolving upon parents, he also enjoins the duties of all others in authority, inasmuch as they are all comprehended in the term parents, as here used." "The office and duties of parents require: 1. That they should nourish and cherish their children. 2. That they should defend their children from injuries. 3. That they should instruct or give them over to others, that they may be instructed and properly educated. 4. That they should govern them by such discipline as belongs to the domestic constitution."

"The duties of magistrates may be reduced to these heads, 1. To require from their subjects obedience, and external propriety according to both tables of the Decalogue. 2. To enforce the precepts of the Decalogue, by defending those who yield obedience to it, and punishing such as are disobedient. 3. To enact certain positive laws for the maintenance of civil order." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

V. Obedience to Unworthy Superiors vs. The Sovereign Prerogative of God

"And although it may sometimes be the case that wicked men are elevated to positions of authority, who are not worthy of honor; yet the office must be distinguished from the persons who are invested with it; so that whilst we detest the wickedness of the men, we should nevertheless honor their office, on account of its divine appointment." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"And it makes no difference whether those on whom the honour is conferred are deserving or not. Be they what they may, the Almighty, by conferring their station upon them, shows that he would have them honoured." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"...it is manifest that we must obey them only in as far as they do not go beyond the proper limits of their office." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"God is the only Lord of the conscience; and though we are to obey magistrates, and parents, and masters, yet we are chiefly to do this because God requireth us so to do; and if they command us to do anything which God doth forbid, we are to refuse obedience, being to obey God rather than any man in the world." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"But in that obedience which we hold to be due to the commands of rulers, we must always make the exception, nay, must be particularly careful that it is not incompatible with obedience to Him to whose will the wishes of all kings should be subject, to whose decrees their commands must yield, to whose majesty their sceptres must bow." "We are subject to the men who rule over us, but subject only in the Lord. If they command any thing against Him, let us not pay the least regard to it, nor be moved by all the dignity which they possess as magistrates—a dignity to which, no injury is done when it is subordinated to the special and truly supreme power of God." [John Calvin - Institutes]

VI. The Promise of Long Life

"The promise annexed to this commandment is, That thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"The meaning therefore is: Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou may be able, during the course of a long life, to enjoy the possession of the land which is to be given thee in testimony of my favour." "Moreover, the sense in which the promise is to be taken is as follows... the duration of the present life is a proof of the divine benevolence toward us. It is not promised to us, nor was it promised to the Jews, as if in itself it constituted happiness, but because it is an ordinary symbol of the divine favour to the pious."

"We must consider that long life is promised only in so far as it is a blessing from God, and that it is a blessing only in so far as it is a manifestation of divine favour. This, however, he testifies and truly manifests to his servants more richly and substantially by death." [John Calvin - Institutes]

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Question 92

Q. What is God's law?

A. God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. I. You shall have no other gods before me. II. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. III. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name. IV. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work— you, your son or your daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the alien resident in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and consecrated it. V. Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving to you. VI. You shall not murder. VII. You shall not commit adultery. VIII. You shall not steal. IX. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. X. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or male or female servant, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:1–17; Deut. 5:6–21.

    Ex. 20:1–17 1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I [am] YHWH your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You shall have no other gods before My face. 4 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness that [is] in the heavens above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the waters under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them and you shall not serve them; for I, YHWH your God, [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of fathers on sons on the third and on the fourth for those who hate Me, 6 and showing loving devotion to thousands for those who love Me and for those who keep My commandments. 7 You shall not take the name of YHWH your God in vain, for YHWH will not hold guiltless him who takes His name in vain. 8 Remember the Sabbath day to sanctify it. 9 Six days you shall labor and you shall do all your work, 10 and the seventh day [is] a Sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work—you, and your son, and your daughter, your manservant, and your maidservant, and your livestock, and your sojourner who [is] within your gates. 11 For [in] six days YHWH made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that [is] in them; and He rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it. 12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you. 13 You shall not murder. 14 You shall not commit adultery. 15 You shall not steal. 16 You shall not answer against your neighbor [as] a false witness. 17 You shall not covet the house of your neighbor; you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

    Deut. 5:6–21 6 “I [am] YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7 You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 You shall not make for yourself a carved image, any likeness that [is] in the heavens above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water beneath the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them and you shall not serve them, for I, YHWH your God, [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the sons and on the third and fourth of those hating Me, 10 and showing loving devotion to thousands, to those loving Me and keeping My commandments. 11 You shall not lift up the name of YHWH your God in vain, for YHWH will not hold guiltless him who lifts up His name in vain. 12 Observe the day of the Sabbath, to keep it holy, as YHWH your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 and the seventh day [is] the Sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work—you, and your son, and your daughter, and your manservant, and your maidservant, and your ox, and your donkey, and any of your cattle, and your sojourner who [is] within your gates—that your manservant and your maidservant may rest like you. 15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Upon thus YHWH your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. 16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you. 17 You shall not murder. 18 And you shall not commit adultery. 19 And you shall not steal. 20 And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 21 And you shall not covet the wife of your neighbor, and you shall not covet the house of your neighbor, his field, and his manservant, and his maidservant, his ox, and his donkey, and anything that [is] unto your neighbor.”

Parallel passages (6+)Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God33 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God15 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 578 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1158 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day7 shared proof texts · 3 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 496 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 104

Q. What is God's will for you in the fifth commandment?

A. That I show honor, love, and faithfulness to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; submit myself with proper obedience to all their good teaching and discipline; and also that I be patient with their failings— for by their hand God wills to rule us.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 21:17; Prov. 1:8; 4:1; Rom. 13:1–2; Eph. 5:21–22; 6:1–9; Col. 3:18–4:1.

    Ex. 21:17 And the one who curses his father or his mother must surely be put to death.

    Prov. 1:8 Hear, my son, the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the instruction of your mother.

    4:1 Hear, [my] sons, the discipline of a father, and pay attention to know understanding.

    Rom. 13:1–2 1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above [him]. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. 2 Therefore the one setting [himself] against the authority has resisted the ordinance of God, and those having resisted will receive judgment to themselves.

    Eph. 5:21–22 21 Be submitting to one another in fear of Christ: 22 wives, to [your] own husbands as to the Lord;

    6:1–9 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may be well with you and you will be long-lived upon the earth.” 4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your⁺ heart, as to Christ, 6 not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, 7 serving with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that each one, whatever good he might have done, this he will receive from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that also their Master and yours⁺ is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

    Col. 3:18–4:1 18 Wives, submit yourselves to [your] husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 1 Masters, provide to [your] slaves that which [is] right and that which [is] equal, knowing that you⁺ also have a Master in heaven.

  • Prov. 20:20; 23:22; 1 Peter 2:18.

    Prov. 20:20 One belittling his father or his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the pupil of darkness.

    23:22 Listen to your father, this one begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

    1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject in all fear to [your] masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.

  • Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1–8; Eph. 6:1–9; Col. 3:18–21.

    Matt. 22:21 They say to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He says to them, “Therefore give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God.”

    Rom. 13:1–8 1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above [him]. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. 2 Therefore the one setting [himself] against the authority has resisted the ordinance of God, and those having resisted will receive judgment to themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which [is] good, and you will have praise from him. 4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil. 5 Therefore [it is] necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath, but also because of the conscience. 6 For because of this, you⁺ also pay taxes; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very thing. 7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. 8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law.

    Eph. 6:1–9 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may be well with you and you will be long-lived upon the earth.” 4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your⁺ heart, as to Christ, 6 not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, 7 serving with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that each one, whatever good he might have done, this he will receive from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that also their Master and yours⁺ is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

    Col. 3:18–21 18 Wives, submit yourselves to [your] husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love [your] wives and do not be bitter toward them. 20 Children, obey [your] parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your⁺ children, so that they may not become discouraged.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 12715 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 648 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1268 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience8 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate8 shared proof textsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate7 shared proof texts

Question 63

Q. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16.

    Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

    Deut. 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

Parallel passages (6)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1232 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1332 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof textWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 991 shared proof text

Question 64

Q. What is required in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 13:1, 7; Eph. 5:21–22, 24; Eph. 6:1, 4–5, 9; 1 Peter 2:17.

    Rom. 13:1, 7 1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above [him]. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. 7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

    Eph. 5:21–22, 24 21 Be submitting to one another in fear of Christ: 22 wives, to [your] own husbands as to the Lord; 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives to [their] husbands in everything.

    Eph. 6:1, 4–5, 9 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your⁺ heart, as to Christ, 9 And masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that also their Master and yours⁺ is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

    1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone: love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 12610 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1048 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1274 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience2 shared proof texts

Question 65

Q. What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongeth to everyone in their several places and relations.

Scripture proofs
  • Matt. 15:4–6; Rom. 13:8.

    Matt. 15:4–6 4 For God said, ‘Honor [your] father and mother’ and ‘The one speaking evil of father or mother, in death let him end.’ 5 But you⁺ say, ‘Whoever might say to father or mother: Whatever you might be profited by me [is] a gift,’ 6 he shall not honor his father or his mother. And you⁺ made void the word of God because of your⁺ tradition.

    Rom. 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1284 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience4 shared proof textsWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 993 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1041 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1321 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture1 shared proof text

Question 66

Q. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16; Eph. 6:2–3.

    Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

    Deut. 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

    Eph. 6:2–3 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may be well with you and you will be long-lived upon the earth.”

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1334 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God3 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Larger Catechism · Question 1232 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1042 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts

Question 118

Q. Why is the charge of keeping the Sabbath more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors?

A. The charge of keeping the Sabbath is more specially directed to governors of families, and other superiors, because they are bound not only to keep it themselves, but to see that it be observed by all those that are under their charge; and because they are prone ofttimes to hinder them by employments of their own.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:10; Ex. 23:12. (See Josh. 24:15; Neh. 13:15–17; Jer. 17:20–22.)

    Ex. 20:10 and the seventh day [is] a Sabbath to YHWH your God; you shall not do any work—you, and your son, and your daughter, your manservant, and your maidservant, and your livestock, and your sojourner who [is] within your gates.

    Ex. 23:12 Six days you shall do your works, and on the seventh day you shall rest, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your maidservant and the sojourner may be refreshed.

    Josh. 24:15 And if it seems evil in your⁺ eyes to serve YHWH, choose for yourselves this day whom you⁺ will serve, whether the gods that your⁺ fathers served that [were] on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorite, in whose land you⁺ are dwelling. And I and my house, we will serve YHWH!”

    Neh. 13:15–17 15 In those days I saw in Judah those treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing [in] the heaps [of grain], and lifting [loads] upon the donkeys, and also wine, [and] grapes, and figs, and every load carried; and [they were] bringing [it] [to] Jerusalem on the day of the Sabbath. And I protested on the day of their selling provision. 16 And the Tyrians who dwelt in it were bringing fish and every of merchandise and selling on the Sabbath to the sons of Judah, even in Jerusalem. 17 And I contended with the nobles of Judah, and I said to them, “What [is] this evil thing that you⁺ are doing, and profaning the day of the Sabbath?

    Jer. 17:20–22 20 And you shall say to them: ‘Hear the word of YHWH, O kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all those dwelling in Jerusalem who enter by these gates. 21 Thus says YHWH: Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day to bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. 22 You shall not bring out a load from your⁺ houses on the Sabbath day, and you⁺ shall not do any work, and keep holy the Sabbath day, as I commanded your⁺ fathers.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day4 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 604 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 613 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 921 shared proof text · 3 shared topics

Question 123

Q. Which is the fifth commandment?

A. The fifth commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:12. (Cf. Deut. 5:16.)

    Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

    Deut. 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

Parallel passages (5)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 632 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 662 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text

Question 124

Q. Who are meant by father and mother in the fifth commandment?

A. By father and mother, in the fifth commandment, are meant, not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God's ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.

Scripture proofs
  • Prov. 23:22, 25. (See Eph. 6:1–2.)

    Prov. 23:22, 25 22 Listen to your father, this one begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. 25 Let your father and your mother be glad, and let she who bore you rejoice.

    Eph. 6:1–2 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise,

  • 1 Tim. 5:1–2.

    1 Tim. 5:1–2 1 Do not rebuke an older [man], but exhort [him] as a father; younger [men] as brothers; 2 older [women] as mothers; younger [women] as sisters, in all purity.

  • Gen. 4:20–21; Gen. 45:8.

    Gen. 4:20–21 20 And Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those dwelling in tents and [having] livestock. 21 And the name of his brother [was] Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute.

    Gen. 45:8 And now, you⁺ have not sent me here, but God. And He has made me for a father to Pharaoh, and for a lord of all his house, and ruler in all the land of Egypt.

  • 2 Kings 5:13.

    2 Kings 5:13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, [if] something great the prophet had spoken to you, would you not have done [it]? Then how much more when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”

  • 2 Kings 2:12; Gal. 4:19. (See 2 Kings 13:14.)

    2 Kings 2:12 And Elisha saw [it], and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen,” and he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces.

    Gal. 4:19 My children, of whom I travail again until that Christ shall have been formed in you⁺,

    2 Kings 13:14 And Elisha had become sick with the illness from which He would die, and Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over his face and said, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen.”

  • Isa. 49:23.

    Isa. 49:23 And kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; facedown to the earth they will bow low to you, and they will lick up the dust of your feet. And you will know that I [am] YHWH; those waiting for Me will not be ashamed.”

Parallel passages (5)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1043 shared proof texts · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 641 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 661 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text

Question 125

Q. Why are superiors styled father and mother?

A. Superiors are styled father and mother, both to teach them in all duties toward their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them, according to their several relations; and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.

Scripture proofs
  • Eph. 6:4; 2 Cor. 12:14; 1 Thess. 2:7–8, 11. (See Num. 11:11–12.)

    Eph. 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

    2 Cor. 12:14 Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you⁺, and I will not be a burden. For I do not seek what [is] yours⁺, but you⁺. For the children ought not to treasure up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

    1 Thess. 2:7–8, 11 7 But we were gentle in your⁺ midst, as a nursing mother should cherish her own children. 8 So yearning over you⁺, we were well pleased to have imparted to you⁺ not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you⁺ have become beloved to us. 11 just as you⁺ know how, each one of you⁺, as a father his own children,

    Num. 11:11–12 11 And Moses said to YHWH, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your eyes, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? 12 Did I conceive all this people? Or did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land that You swore to their fathers?

  • 1 Cor. 4:14–16. (See 2 Kings 5:13.)

    1 Cor. 4:14–16 14 I do not write these things shaming you⁺, but admonishing [you] as my beloved children. 15 For although you⁺ may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begat you⁺ through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you⁺, become imitators of me.

    2 Kings 5:13 And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, [if] something great the prophet had spoken to you, would you not have done [it]? Then how much more when he says to you, ‘Wash and be clean’?”

Parallel passages (3)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1041 shared proof text · 2 shared topicsWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 641 shared proof text · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof text

Question 126

Q. What is the general scope of the fifth commandment?

A. The general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or equals.

Scripture proofs
  • Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 2:17; Rom. 12:10. (See Rom. 13:1, 7; Eph. 5:22, 24; 6:1, 4–5, 9.)

    Eph. 5:21 Be submitting to one another in fear of Christ:

    1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone: love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

    Rom. 12:10 devoted to one another in brotherly love, esteeming one another in honor,

    Rom. 13:1, 7 1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above [him]. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. 7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

    Eph. 5:22, 24 22 wives, to [your] own husbands as to the Lord; 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives to [their] husbands in everything.

    6:1, 4–5, 9 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your⁺ heart, as to Christ, 9 And masters, do the same things toward them, giving up threatening, knowing that also their Master and yours⁺ is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with Him.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 6410 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1048 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience2 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1242 shared proof texts

Question 127

Q. What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors?

A. The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense, and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government.

Scripture proofs
  • Mal. 1:6; Lev. 19:3.

    Mal. 1:6 “A son honors [his] father, and a servant his master. And if I [am] the Father, where is My honor? And if I [am] the Master, where [is] the fear due Me?” Says YHWH of Hosts to you⁺, O priests despising My name. “And you⁺ say, ‘In what have we despised Your name?’

    Lev. 19:3 Each man shall fear his mother and his father, and you⁺ shall keep My Sabbaths. I [am] YHWH your⁺ God.

  • Prov. 31:28; 1 Peter 3:6.

    Prov. 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband he praises her:

    1 Peter 3:6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, of whom you⁺ became children, doing good and not fearing [any] terror.

  • Lev. 19:32; 1 Kings 2:19.

    Lev. 19:32 Before the face of the gray headed you shall rise, and you shall honor the presence of an old [man], and you shall fear your God. I [am] YHWH.

    1 Kings 2:19 And Bathsheba came in to King Solomon, to speak to him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and he bowed low to her and sat down on his throne, and he set a throne for the mother of the king. And she sat at his right hand.

  • 1 Tim. 2:1–2.

    1 Tim. 2:1–2 1 I exhort, therefore, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] thanksgivings to be made for all men, 2 for kings and all those being in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

  • Heb. 13:7; Phil. 3:17.

    Heb. 13:7 Remember those leading you⁺ who spoke the word of God to you⁺, of whom, considering the outcome of [their] conduct, imitate the faith.

    Phil. 3:17 Be imitators together of me, brothers, and look at those walking thus, as you⁺ have a pattern in us.

  • Eph. 6:1–2, 5–7; 1 Peter 2:13–14; Heb. 13:17. (See Rom. 13:1–5; Prov. 4:3–4; 23:22; Ex. 18:19, 24.)

    Eph. 6:1–2, 5–7 1 Children, obey your⁺ parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 5 Slaves, obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your⁺ heart, as to Christ, 6 not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, 7 serving with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,

    1 Peter 2:13–14 13 Be in subjection to every human creation because of the Lord, whether to the king as being supreme, 14 or to governors as being sent by him for punishment to evildoers and praise to doers of good,

    Heb. 13:17 Obey you⁺ those leading and be subject, for they watch over your⁺ souls as [those who] will give an account, so that they may do this with joy and not groaning, for this [is] unprofitable for you⁺.

    Rom. 13:1–5 1 Let every soul be subject to the authorities being above [him]. For there is no authority except by God; but those existing are appointed by God. 2 Therefore the one setting [himself] against the authority has resisted the ordinance of God, and those having resisted will receive judgment to themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which [is] good, and you will have praise from him. 4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil. 5 Therefore [it is] necessary to be subject, not only because of wrath, but also because of the conscience.

    Prov. 4:3–4 3 For I was a son to my father, tender and the only one before the face of my mother, 4 and he instructed me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words; keep my commands, and live.

    23:22 Listen to your father, this one begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

    Ex. 18:19, 24 19 Now listen to my voice; I will counsel you, and God will be with you. You must be for the people before God, and you—you shall bring the matters to God. 24 And Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and he did all that he had said.

  • Heb. 12:9; 1 Peter 2:18–20.

    Heb. 12:9 Furthermore indeed, we have had fathers of our flesh, discipliners, and we respected [them]; and will we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and will live?

    1 Peter 2:18–20 18 Servants, be subject in all fear to [your] masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked. 19 For this [is] grace, if because of conscience toward God, anyone bears up under griefs, suffering unjustly. 20 For what kind of renown [is it] if sinning and being battered, you⁺ shall endure? But if doing good and suffering, you⁺ shall endure, this [is] grace with God.

  • Titus 2:9–10.

    Titus 2:9–10 9 Slaves are to be subject to [their] own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not contradicting, 10 not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in all things.

  • 1 Sam. 26:15–16. (See 2 Sam. 18:3; Est. 6:2.)

    1 Sam. 26:15–16 15 And David said to Abner, “Are you not a man? And who [is] like you in Israel? And why have you not watched over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy the king your lord. 16 This thing that you have done [is] not good. [As] YHWH lives, surely you⁺ deserve to die, because you⁺ have not watched over your⁺ master, over the anointed of YHWH. And now see, where [is] the spear of the king and the jug of water that [was] by his head?”

    2 Sam. 18:3 And the people answered, “You shall not go out, for if we surely flee, they will not set the heart on us. If half of us die, they will not set the heart on us, but now [you are] like ten thousand of us, for now you are more to us in the city for a helper.”

    Est. 6:2 And it was found written that Mordecai had declared concerning Bigthan and Teresh, two eunuchs of the king, from the keepers of the threshold, who sought to stretch out a hand against King Ahasuerus.

  • Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:6–7; 1 Tim. 5:17–18. (See Gal. 6:6; Gen. 45:11; 47:12.)

    Matt. 22:21 They say to Him, “Caesar’s.” Then He says to them, “Therefore give back the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God.”

    Rom. 13:6–7 6 For because of this, you⁺ also pay taxes; for they are ministers of God, attending continually to this very thing. 7 Pay to all their dues: tax to whom tax, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

    1 Tim. 5:17–18 17 Let the elders presiding well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in the word and the teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain,” and, “The worker [is] worthy of his wages.”

    Gal. 6:6 Now let the one being instructed in the word share with the one instructing in all good things.

    Gen. 45:11 And I will provide for you there, for [there are] still five years of famine, lest you come to poverty—you and your house and all that [is] yours.’

    47:12 And Joseph provided his father and his brothers and all the house of his father with bread, according to the mouth of the little ones.

  • Gen. 9:23. (See 1 Peter 2:18; Prov. 23:22.)

    Gen. 9:23 And Shem took—and Japheth—the garment, and they laid [it] on the shoulders of the two of them and they went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. And their faces [were] backward, and the nakedness of their father they did not see.

    1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject in all fear to [your] masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked.

    Prov. 23:22 Listen to your father, this one begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

  • Ps. 127:3–5; Prov. 31:23.

    Ps. 127:3–5 3 Behold, an inheritance of YHWH [are] sons, a reward [is] the fruit of the womb. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a mighty one, so [are] the sons of one’s youth. 5 Blessed [is] the man who has filled his quiver with them! He will not be put to shame, but he shall speak with the enemies at the gate.

    Prov. 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, in his sitting with the elders of the land.

Parallel passages (6+)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 10415 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate12 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience10 shared proof textsLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate9 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 644 shared proof texts · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 26: Of the Church4 shared proof texts · shared topic

Question 128

Q. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?

A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them; envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against, their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections; cursing, mocking, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.

Scripture proofs
  • Matt. 15:4–6; Rom. 13:8.

    Matt. 15:4–6 4 For God said, ‘Honor [your] father and mother’ and ‘The one speaking evil of father or mother, in death let him end.’ 5 But you⁺ say, ‘Whoever might say to father or mother: Whatever you might be profited by me [is] a gift,’ 6 he shall not honor his father or his mother. And you⁺ made void the word of God because of your⁺ tradition.

    Rom. 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law.

  • Num. 11:28–29.

    Num. 11:28–29 28 And Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant from his youth, answered and said, “My lord Moses, restrain them.” 29 And Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? If only he would make all people of YHWH prophets, [and] that YHWH would put His Spirit upon them.”

  • 1 Sam. 8:7; Isa. 3:5.

    1 Sam. 8:7 And YHWH said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but Me they have rejected from reigning over them.

    Isa. 3:5 And the people will be oppressed, each man by a man and each man by his neighbor; the child will rage against the elder, and the one despised against the honored.

  • 2 Sam. 15:10 (see vv. 1–12).

    2 Sam. 15:10 And Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you⁺ hear the voice of the shofar, you⁺ shall say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron.’”

  • Ex. 21:15.

    Ex. 21:15 And the one who strikes his father or his mother must surely be put to death.

  • 1 Sam. 10:27.

    1 Sam. 10:27 And sons of worthlessness said, “How can this one save us?” And they despised him and brought him no gift, and he was like one being silent.

  • 1 Sam. 2:25.

    1 Sam. 2:25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him, but if a man sins against YHWH, who will intercede for him?” And they did not listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH delighted to put them to death.

  • Deut. 21:18–21.

    Deut. 21:18–21 18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not listen to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and they have disciplined him and he will not listen to them, 19 then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, and to the gate of his city, 20 and they shall say to the elders of his city, “Our son, this one, is stubborn and rebellious; he will not listen to our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.” 21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones to death; and you shall put away the evil from among you, and all Israel shall listen and fear.

  • Prov. 30:11, 17.

    Prov. 30:11, 17 11 A generation lightly esteems its father, and does not bless its mother. 17 The eye [that] mocks at a father and despises obedience to a mother—the ravens of the valley will dig it out, and the young eagles will eat it.

  • Prov. 19:26.

    Prov. 19:26 One assaulting a father causes a mother to flee; [he is] a son causing shame and bringing reproach.

Parallel passages (6+)Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience4 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 654 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1041 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture1 shared proof text

Question 129

Q. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors?

A. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; and discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul and body: and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honor to themselves, and so to preserve that authority which God hath put upon them.

Scripture proofs
  • Col. 3:19; Titus 2:4.

    Col. 3:19 Husbands, love [your] wives and do not be bitter toward them.

    Titus 2:4 so that they may make sober-minded the young [women] to be lovers of [their] husbands, lovers of [their] children,

  • 1 Sam. 12:23; Job 1:5.

    1 Sam. 12:23 As for me, moreover, far be it from me that I should sin against YHWH in ceasing to pray for you⁺. And I will teach you⁺ the good and the straight way.

    Job 1:5 And it came to pass that the days of the feasting had gone around, and Job would send and would sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer up burnt offerings, the number of them all, for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did all the days.

  • 1 Kings 8:55–56; Heb. 7:7. (See Gen. 49:28.)

    1 Kings 8:55–56 55 and he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying: 56 “Blessed [be] YHWH, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has fallen of all His good promise that He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

    Heb. 7:7 And apart from all dispute, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

    Gen. 49:28 All these [are] two [and] ten tribes of Israel, and this [is] what their father spoke to them, and he blessed them—each one according to his own blessing, he blessed them.

  • Deut. 6:6–7.

    Deut. 6:6–7 6 And these words that I am commanding you today shall be upon your heart. 7 And you shall teach them diligently to your children and talk of them in your sitting in your house and in your walking by the way and in your lying down and in your getting up.

  • Eph. 6:4.

    Eph. 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

  • 1 Peter 3:7.

    1 Peter 3:7 Husbands [do] likewise, dwelling with [them] according to knowledge, as with a weaker vessel, with the female, rendering honor as co-heirs also of the grace of life, in order for your⁺ prayers not to be hindered.

  • 1 Peter 2:14; Rom. 13:3.

    1 Peter 2:14 or to governors as being sent by him for punishment to evildoers and praise to doers of good,

    Rom. 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which [is] good, and you will have praise from him.

  • Est. 6:3.

    Est. 6:3 And the king said, “What honor and greatness has been done for Mordecai over this?” And the young men of the king who attended him said, “Not a thing has been done with him.”

  • Rom. 13:3–4.

    Rom. 13:3–4 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Now do you want not to fear the authority? Do that which [is] good, and you will have praise from him. 4 For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is God’s servant, an avenger for wrath to the one practicing evil.

  • Prov. 29:15; 1 Peter 2:14.

    Prov. 29:15 A rod and rebuke give wisdom, and a child let away brings shame to his mother.

    1 Peter 2:14 or to governors as being sent by him for punishment to evildoers and praise to doers of good,

  • Isa. 1:10, 17. (See Job 29:12–17.)

    Isa. 1:10, 17 10 Hear the word of YHWH, chiefs of Sodom; give ear to the Instruction of our God, people of Gomorrah! 17 Learn to do good, seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, bring justice for the fatherless, contend for the widow.”

    Job 29:12–17 12 because I rescued the poor crying out, and the fatherless, and no one was helping him. 13 The blessing of the one perishing came upon me, and the heart of the widow I caused to sing. 14 I clothed myself with righteousness, and it clothed me; like a robe and a turban [was] my justice. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and I [was] feet to the lame. 16 I [was] a father to the poor, and the case I did not know, I searched it out. 17 And I broke the fangs of the unjust, and I cast away the prey from his teeth.

  • Eph. 6:4.

    Eph. 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

  • 1 Tim. 5:8.

    1 Tim. 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for [his] own, and especially [his] household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

  • 1 Tim. 4:12. (See Titus 2:3–5.)

    1 Tim. 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be a pattern for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

    Titus 2:3–5 3 older [women] likewise reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not being enslaved to much wine, teachers of good, 4 so that they may make sober-minded the young [women] to be lovers of [their] husbands, lovers of [their] children, 5 sound-minded, pure, keepers at home, good, being subject to [their] own husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

  • 1 Kings 3:28.

    1 Kings 3:28 And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they feared the face of the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] within him, to administer justice.

  • Titus 2:15.

    Titus 2:15 Speak these things and exhort and convict with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Parallel passages (6+)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1044 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day3 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience3 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate3 shared proof textsWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works3 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1032 shared proof texts

Question 130

Q. What are the sins of superiors?

A. The sins of superiors are, besides the neglect of the duties required of them, an inordinate seeking of themselves, their own glory, ease, profit, or pleasure; commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counseling, encouraging, or favoring them in that which is evil; dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good; correcting them unduly; careless exposing, or leaving them to wrong, temptation, and danger; provoking them to wrath; or anyway dishonoring themselves, or lessening their authority, by an unjust, indiscreet, rigorous, or remiss behavior.

Scripture proofs
  • Ezek. 34:2–4.

    Ezek. 34:2–4 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them—to the shepherds—thus says the Lord YHWH: ‘Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves. Should [it] not [be] [that] the shepherds shepherd the flock? 3 You⁺ eat the fat and in wool you⁺ clothe yourselves; you⁺ slaughter the fatlings; you⁺ do not feed the flock. 4 Those being weak you⁺ have not strengthened, and those being sick you⁺ have not healed, and those being broken you⁺ have not bandaged, and those driven off you⁺ have not returned, and those being lost you⁺ have not sought, and you⁺ have ruled them with force and with harshness.

  • Phil. 2:21.

    Phil. 2:21 For those all seek the things of themselves, not the things of Jesus Christ.

  • John 5:44. (See John 7:18.)

    John 5:44 How are you⁺ able to believe, receiving glory from one another, and you⁺ do not seek the glory that [is] from the only God?

    John 7:18 The one speaking from himself seeks [his] own glory, but the One seeking the glory of the One having sent Him, He is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

  • Isa. 56:10–11. (See Deut. 17:17.)

    Isa. 56:10–11 10 His watchmen [are] blind—all of them! They do not know; all of them [are] mute dogs, they are not able to bark, dreaming lying down, loving to sleep. 11 And these dogs [are] strong of appetite; they do not know satisfaction; and they [are] shepherds not knowing discernment; they all turn to their own way, each man for his own gain from his quarter.

    Deut. 17:17 And he shall not multiply for himself wives, and his heart shall not turn away, and silver and gold he shall not multiply for himself greatly.

  • Acts 4:17–18. (See Dan. 3:4–6.)

    Acts 4:17–18 17 But so that it might not spread further on among the people, let us threaten them to speak no longer in this name to [any] man.” 18 And having summoned them, they commanded [them] not to speak, nor to teach at all, in the name of Jesus.

    Dan. 3:4–6 4 And the herald was calling out with force: “To you⁺ it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 [that] at the time when you⁺ hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you⁺ shall fall down and give homage to the image of gold that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up! 6 And whoever does not fall down and give homage to it, he shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning furnace of fire!”

  • Ex. 5:18 (see vv. 10–19); Matt. 23:2, 4.

    Ex. 5:18 And now, go—work! And straw shall not be given to you⁺, and the quota of bricks you⁺ shall deliver.”

    Matt. 23:2, 4 2 saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat down on Moses’ seat. 4 And they tie up burdens heavy and hard to bear, and they lay [them] on the shoulders of men; but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.

  • Matt. 14:8. (See Mark 6:24.)

    Matt. 14:8 And having been urged on by her mother, she says, “Give to me here upon a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

    Mark 6:24 And having gone out, she said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John, the one baptizing.”

  • 2 Sam. 13:28.

    2 Sam. 13:28 And Absalom had commanded his young men, saying, “Watch now, when the heart of Amnon is merry with wine, and I say to you⁺, strike Amnon and kill him. Do not be afraid. Is [it] not that I have commanded you⁺? Be courageous and be sons of valor.”

  • Jer. 6:13–14; Judg. 20:13–14 (see entire chapter).

    Jer. 6:13–14 13 “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, everyone is gaining dishonest gain; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone is dealing falsely. 14 And they have healed the breach of My people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ And [there is] no peace.

    Judg. 20:13–14 13 And now deliver up the men, the sons of worthlessness, who [are] in Gibeah, that we may put them to death and remove the evil from Israel.” And the Benjamite were not willing to listen to the voice of their brothers, the sons of Israel. 14 And the sons of Benjamin gathered together from their cities to Gibeah to go out to battle against the sons of Israel.

  • John 7:46–49. (See Col. 3:21; Ex. 5:17; John 9:28.)

    John 7:46–49 46 The officers answered, “Never did a man speak thus, as this man speaks!” 47 Therefore the Pharisees answered them, “Have you⁺ also been deceived? 48 Did anyone out of the rulers or out of the Pharisees believe in Him? 49 But this crowd, not knowing the law, they are accursed.”

    Col. 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your⁺ children, so that they may not become discouraged.

    Ex. 5:17 And he said, “You⁺ [are] idle—idle! Upon thus you⁺ are saying, ‘Let us go, let us sacrifice to YHWH.’

    John 9:28 And they reviled him and said, “You are a disciple of that One, but we are disciples of Moses.

  • 1 Peter 2:18–20; Deut. 25:3.

    1 Peter 2:18–20 18 Servants, be subject in all fear to [your] masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the crooked. 19 For this [is] grace, if because of conscience toward God, anyone bears up under griefs, suffering unjustly. 20 For what kind of renown [is it] if sinning and being battered, you⁺ shall endure? But if doing good and suffering, you⁺ shall endure, this [is] grace with God.

    Deut. 25:3 Forty [times] he shall strike him—no more, lest he should exceed this and beat him above these with many blows, and your brother be humiliated in your eyes.

  • Gen. 38:11, 26; Acts 18:17. (See 1 Sam. 23:15–17; Lev. 19:29; Isa. 58:7.)

    Gen. 38:11, 26 11 And Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in the house of your father until Shelah my son is grown.” For he said, “Lest he also die like his brothers.” And Tamar went and dwelt in the house of her father. 26 And Judah recognized [them] and said, “She is more righteous than I, for upon thus I did not give her to Shelah my son.” And he did not continue to know her anymore.

    Acts 18:17 Then they all, having seized Sosthenes the synagogue ruler, were beating [him] before the judgment seat. And it mattered nothing to Gallio about these things.

    1 Sam. 23:15–17 15 And David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. And David [was] in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh. 16 And Jonathan son of Saul arose and went to David in Horesh, and he strengthened his hand in God. 17 And he said to him, “Do not be afraid, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. And You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be to you for a second. Even thus knows Saul my father.”

    Lev. 19:29 You shall not profane your daughter by making her practice prostitution, and the land will not practice prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

    Isa. 58:7 Is [it] not to distribute your bread to the hungry, and the wandering the poor you should bring into the house; when you see one naked then clothe him, and do not hide yourself from your own flesh?

  • Eph. 6:4.

    Eph. 6:4 And fathers, do not provoke to anger your⁺ children, but nourish them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

  • Gen. 9:21; 1 Kings 12:13–16; 1 Kings 1:6. (See 1 Sam. 2:29–31; 3:13.)

    Gen. 9:21 And he drank from the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself in the midst of his tent.

    1 Kings 12:13–16 13 And the king answered the people harshly, and he rejected the counsel of the elders that they had counseled him. 14 And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made heavy your⁺ yoke, and I will add to your⁺ yoke. My father scourged you⁺ with whips, and I will scourge you⁺ with scorpions.” 15 And the king did not listen to the people, for the turning was from YHWH, that He might fulfill His word that YHWH had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat. 16 And all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, and the people returned the answer to the king, saying, “What portion have we in David? And [there is] no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now see to your own house, O David!” And Israel departed to their tents.

    1 Kings 1:6 (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” And He [was] also very good in form, and she had borne him after Absalom.)

    1 Sam. 2:29–31 29 Why do you⁺ kick at My sacrifice and at My offering, which I have commanded [in My] dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’ 30 Therefore the declaration of YHWH, God of Israel, ‘I surely said [that] your house and the house of your father would walk before Me even to forever. And the declaration of YHWH, Far be it from Me! For those honoring Me I will honor, and those despising Me shall be lightly esteemed. 31 Behold, the days are coming, and I will cut off your arm and the arm of the house of your father, lest there be an old man in your house.

    3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house even to forever for the iniquity that he knows, because his sons blasphemed God, and he did not restrain them.

Parallel passages (5)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1043 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 641 shared proof text · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1111 shared proof textLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints1 shared proof textWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 561 shared proof text

Question 131

Q. What are the duties of equals?

A. The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other, in giving honor to go one before another; and to rejoice in each other's gifts and advancement, as their own.

Scripture proofs
  • 1 Peter 2:17.

    1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone: love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

  • Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:3.

    Rom. 12:10 devoted to one another in brotherly love, esteeming one another in honor,

    Phil. 2:3 nothing according to self-interest or according to vain conceit, but in humility esteeming one another surpassing yourselves,

  • Rom. 12:15–16; Phil. 2:3.

    Rom. 12:15–16 15 to rejoice with the rejoicing, to weep with the weeping, 16 minding the same thing toward one another, not minding the high [things], but going along with the lowly. Do not be wise in yourselves,

    Phil. 2:3 nothing according to self-interest or according to vain conceit, but in humility esteeming one another surpassing yourselves,

Parallel passages (5)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 641 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate1 shared proof textLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate1 shared proof textHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1071 shared proof textWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 801 shared proof text

Question 132

Q. What are the sins of equals?

A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required, the undervaluing of the worth, envying the gifts, grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another; and usurping preeminence one over another.

Scripture proofs
  • Rom. 13:8.

    Rom. 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one loving the other has fulfilled the law.

  • 2 Tim. 3:3. (See Prov. 14:21; Isa. 65:5.)

    2 Tim. 3:3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without control, savage, without love of good,

    Prov. 14:21 The one despising his neighbor sins, and the one showing favor [to] the poor [is] blessed.

    Isa. 65:5 those saying, ‘Keep yourself away; do not come near to me, for I am set apart [from] you’—these [are] smoke in My nostrils, a fire burning all the day!

  • Acts 7:9; Gal. 5:26.

    Acts 7:9 And the patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold [him] into Egypt. And God was with him,

    Gal. 5:26 We should not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

  • Num. 12:2.

    Num. 12:2 And they said, “Is [it] only indeed through Moses [that] YHWH has spoken? Is [it] not also through us [that] He has spoken?” And YHWH heard [it].

  • 3 John 9; Luke 22:24.

    Luke 22:24 And there was also a dispute among them [as to] which of them is thought to be the greatest.

    3 John 9 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)Heidelberg Catechism · Question 1041 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 651 shared proof text · shared topicLondon Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God1 shared proof text · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day1 shared proof text

Question 133

Q. What is the reason annexed to the fifth commandment, the more to enforce it?

A. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment, in these words, That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, is an express promise of long life and prosperity, as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good, to all such as keep this commandment.

Scripture proofs
  • Ex. 20:12.

    Ex. 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

  • Eph. 6:2–3. (See Deut. 5:16; 1 Kings 8:25.)

    Eph. 6:2–3 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may be well with you and you will be long-lived upon the earth.”

    Deut. 5:16 Honor your father and your mother, as YHWH your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, that it may be well with you in the land that YHWH your God is giving to you.

    1 Kings 8:25 And now, O YHWH, God of Israel, keep for Your servant David my father what You promised to him, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man before My face sitting on the throne of Israel—only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me.’

Parallel passages (6)Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 664 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God3 shared proof textsHeidelberg Catechism · Question 922 shared proof texts · shared topicWestminster Shorter Catechism · Question 632 shared proof texts · shared topicHeidelberg Catechism · Question 1042 shared proof texts · shared topicSecond Helvetic Confession · Chapter 12: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts

Question 151

Q. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

A. Sins receive their aggravations, 1. From the persons offending: if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others. 2. From the parties offended: if immediately against God, his attributes, and worship; against Christ, and his grace; the Holy Spirit, his witness, and workings; against superiors, men of eminency, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren, the souls of them, or any other, and the common good of all or many. 3. From the nature and quality of the offense: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of conscience, public or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, willfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance. 4. From circumstances of time and place: if on the Lord's Day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.

Scripture proofs
  • Jer. 2:8.

    Jer. 2:8 The priests did not say, ‘Where [is] YHWH?’ And those handling the law did not know Me; and the rulers transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things] not profitable.

  • Job 32:7, 9; Eccl. 4:13.

    Job 32:7, 9 7 I said, “Days shall speak, and a multitude of years shall make known wisdom.’ 9 Not [only] the great [in years] [are] wise, nor do [only] the aged understand justice.

    Eccl. 4:13 Better a youth poor and wise than a king old and foolish, who does not know to be warned anymore.

  • 1 Kings 11:4, 9.

    1 Kings 11:4, 9 4 And it was, at the time of the old age of Solomon, that his wives stretched his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to YHWH his God like the heart of David his father. 9 And YHWH became angry with Solomon, because his heart had stretched from YHWH, God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

  • 2 Sam. 12:14; 1 Cor. 5:1.

    2 Sam. 12:14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for [the word] of YHWH by this deed, also the son born to you will surely die.”

    1 Cor. 5:1 Sexual immorality is actually heard [of] among you⁺, and sexual immorality such as [is] not even among the nations, so as for one to have the wife of the father.

  • James 4:17; Luke 12:47–48.

    James 4:17 Therefore to the one knowing to do good, and not doing [it], to him it is sin.

    Luke 12:47–48 47 Now that servant, the one having known the will of his master and not having prepared nor having done according to his will, he will be beaten with many. 48 But the one not having known but having done [things] worthy of stripes will be beaten with few. And of everyone to whom much was given, much will be required; and from him to whom much was committed, more will they ask of him.

  • Jer. 5:4–5.

    Jer. 5:4–5 4 And I said, “Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of YHWH, the justice of their God. 5 I shall go Myself to the great ones, and will speak to them, for they have known the way of YHWH, the justice of their God.” But they have broken the yoke as one; they have drawn away the bonds.

  • 2 Sam. 12:7–9; Ezek. 8:11–12.

    2 Sam. 12:7–9 7 And Nathan said to David, “You [are] the man. Thus says YHWH, God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I snatched you up from the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave to you the house of your master and the wives of your master into your bosom, and I gave to you the house of Israel and Judah. And if [that was] too little, I would have given to you like them and like them. 9 Why have you despised the commandment of YHWH to do evil in His sight? You have struck Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and his wife you have taken [to be] your wife, and him have killed with the sword of the sons of Ammon.

    Ezek. 8:11–12 11 and seventy men from the elders of the house of Israel—and Jaazaniah son of Shaphan standing in their midst—standing before them; and each man his censer in his hand, and the fragrance of a cloud of incense was rising up. 12 And He said to me: “Have you seen, Son of man, that which the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each man in the inner chambers of his imagery? For they say, ‘YHWH [is] not seeing us, [for] YHWH has forsaken the land.’”

  • Rom. 2:17–24.

    Rom. 2:17–24 17 But if you are named a Jew and rest upon the law and boast in God, 18 and you know the will and approve the [things] being superior, being instructed out of the law, 19 and you have persuaded yourself [that you] are a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth— 21 then [you] who are teaching another, do you not teach yourself? [You] who are preaching not to steal, do you steal? 22 [You] who are saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? [You] who are abhorring idols, do you rob temples? 23 [You] who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the transgression of the law? 24 As it has been written: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you⁺.”

  • Gal. 2:11–14.

    Gal. 2:11–14 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed [him] to his face because he was standing condemned. 12 For before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles. But when they came, he was drawing back and was separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision. 13 And also the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they are not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before all, “If you, being a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how do you compel the Gentiles to Judaize?”

  • Ps. 2:12; Matt. 21:38–39.

    Ps. 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you⁺ perish [in] the way, when His wrath is kindled in an instant. Blessed [are] all those taking refuge in Him.

    Matt. 21:38–39 38 But the farmers, having seen the son, said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and gain possession of his inheritance.’ 39 And having taken him, they cast [him] out of the vineyard and killed [him].

  • 1 Sam. 2:25; Acts 5:4; Ps. 5:4.

    1 Sam. 2:25 If one man sins against another, God will judge him, but if a man sins against YHWH, who will intercede for him?” And they did not listen to the voice of their father, because YHWH delighted to put them to death.

    Acts 5:4 Remaining, did it not remain yours? And having been sold, was it [not] in [your] own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You did not lie to men but to God!”

    Ps. 5:4 For You [are] not a God delighting in wickedness; evil shall not sojourn with You.

  • Rom. 2:4.

    Rom. 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

  • Mal. 1:8, 14.

    Mal. 1:8, 14 8 For when you⁺ offer the blind as a sacrifice, [is it] not evil? And when you⁺ offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? Offer it now to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or would he lift up your face?” Says YHWH of Hosts. 14 “And cursed [is] the one plotting, and a male is in his flock, and vowing [it] and sacrificing [what] is blemished to the Lord. For I [am] a great King,” says YHWH of Hosts, “And My name is feared among the nations.

  • Heb. 2:2–3; Heb. 12:25.

    Heb. 2:2–3 2 For if the word having been spoken by angels was firm, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, 3 how will we escape, having neglected such a great salvation, which, having received a beginning to be spoken by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those having heard,

    Heb. 12:25 Watch out, lest you⁺ refuse the One speaking. For if they did not escape, having refused the One divinely warning [them] on earth, much less we, turning away from the One from the heavens,

  • Heb. 10:28–29; Matt. 12:31–32.

    Heb. 10:28–29 28 Anyone having set aside the law of Moses dies without mercies on the basis of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you⁺ think he will be worthy of, the one having trampled upon the Son of God, and having deemed common the blood of the covenant in which he was sanctified, and having insulted the Spirit of grace?

    Matt. 12:31–32 31 Because of this I say to you⁺, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men; but the blasphemy of the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever may speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever may speak against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him—neither in this age nor in the coming one.

  • Eph. 4:30.

    Eph. 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you⁺ were sealed for the day of redemption.

  • Heb. 6:4–6.

    Heb. 6:4–6 4 For [it is] impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and having become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and having tasted the goodness of God’s word and the power [of] the coming age— 6 and then having fallen away—to restore [them] again to repentance, crucifying in themselves the Son of God and subjecting [Him] to open shame.

  • Jude 8; Num. 12:8–9; Isa. 3:5.

    Num. 12:8–9 8 I speak with him mouth to mouth, and even plainly and not in riddles; and the form of YHWH he sees. And why were you⁺ not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of YHWH was kindled against them, and He departed.

    Isa. 3:5 And the people will be oppressed, each man by a man and each man by his neighbor; the child will rage against the elder, and the one despised against the honored.

    Jude 8 on BibleHub ↗

  • Prov. 30:17; 2 Cor. 12:15; Ps. 55:12–15.

    Prov. 30:17 The eye [that] mocks at a father and despises obedience to a mother—the ravens of the valley will dig it out, and the young eagles will eat it.

    2 Cor. 12:15 Now I will spend most gladly, and will be utterly spent for your⁺ souls. If loving you⁺ more abundantly, am I loved less?

    Ps. 55:12–15 12 For [it is] not an enemy [who] scorns me, or I could bear it; and not one hating me [who] wielded power against me, or I could hide myself from him. 13 And [it was] you, a man like me in rank, my companion, and one known by me, 14 [with] whom we would take sweet counsel together; in the house of God we walked with the throng. 15 Devastation [is] upon them! May they go down alive [to] Sheol! For evils [are] in their dwellings, within them.

  • Zeph. 2:8, 10–11; Matt. 18:6; 1 Cor. 6:8; Rev. 17:6.

    Zeph. 2:8, 10–11 8 “I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the insults of the sons of Ammon, with which they have scorned My people, and magnified [themselves] against their border. 10 This [is] unto them in exchange for their pride, because they have scorned and magnified [themselves] against the people of YHWH of Hosts. 11 Fearsome [is] YHWH against them, for he will starve all the gods of the earth; and will bow down to Him all the coasts of the nations, each man from his place.

    Matt. 18:6 And whoever might cause to stumble one of these little ones believing in Me, it is better for him that a heavy millstone should be hung around his neck and he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.

    1 Cor. 6:8 But you⁺ do wrong and defraud, and this to brothers!

    Rev. 17:6 And I saw the woman being drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And having seen her, I marveled with great wonder.

  • 1 Cor. 8:11–12; Rom. 14:13, 15, 21.

    1 Cor. 8:11–12 11 For the one being weak is destroyed by your knowledge—the brother for whom Christ died. 12 And thus sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience, [it] being weak, you⁺ sin against Christ.

    Rom. 14:13, 15, 21 13 May we no longer, therefore, judge one another; but rather you⁺ decide this, not to put a stumbling block or obstacle before a brother. 15 For if because of food your brother is grieved, no longer do you walk according to love. Do not destroy with your food that one for whom Christ died. 21 [It is] good neither to eat meat nor to drink wine nor [anything] in which your brother stumbles.

  • Ezek. 13:19; 1 Cor. 8:12; Rev. 18:12–13; Matt. 23:15.

    Ezek. 13:19 And you⁺ profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, by putting to death people who should not die, and keeping alive people who should not live, by your⁺ lying to My people who listen to a lie.

    1 Cor. 8:12 And thus sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience, [it] being weak, you⁺ sin against Christ.

    Rev. 18:12–13 12 cargo of gold, and of silver, and of precious stone, and of pearls; and of fine linen, and of purple, and of silk, and of scarlet; and all thyine wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel of most precious wood, and of bronze, and of iron, and of marble; 13 and cinnamon, and spice, and incense, and myrrh, and frankincense; and wine, and oil, and finest flour, and wheat; and cattle, and sheep, and of horses, and of chariots; and of bodies and souls of men.

    Matt. 23:15 Woe to you⁺, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you⁺ traverse the sea and the dry land to make one convert, and when he might become one, you⁺ make him twofold more a son of Gehenna than yourselves.

  • 1 Thess. 2:15–16; Josh. 22:20.

    1 Thess. 2:15–16 15 who, having killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and having driven us out; and [they are] not pleasing God and contrary to all men, 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved, so as to fill up their sins always. Now the wrath has come upon them to the end.

    Josh. 22:20 Did not Achan son of Zerah act unfaithfully—an unfaithfulness—with the devoted thing, so that wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And not only he, one man, perished in his iniquity.’”

  • Prov. 6:30–33.

    Prov. 6:30–33 30 They do not despise the thief if he steals to fill his soul when he is hungry, 31 and having been found, he must repay sevenfold; all the wealth of his house he must give. 32 The one committing adultery with a woman is lacking of heart; he does it, destroying his own soul. 33 He finds [only a stroke and shame, and his reproach is not wiped away.

  • Ezra 9:10–12; 1 Kings 11:9–10.

    Ezra 9:10–12 10 And what shall we say, our God, after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments, 11 that You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land that you⁺ are entering to possess, it is a land of impurity, by the impurity of the peoples of the lands with their abominations that have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. 12 And now, do not give as wives your⁺ daughters for their sons, and lift not their daughters to your⁺ sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity even to forever, that you⁺ may be strong and eat the good of the land, and give possession to your⁺ children even to forever.’

    1 Kings 11:9–10 9 And YHWH became angry with Solomon, because his heart had stretched from YHWH, God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 And He had commanded to him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. And he did not keep what YHWH had commanded.

  • Col. 3:5; 1 Tim. 6:10; Prov. 5:8–12; Prov. 6:32–33; Josh. 7:21.

    Col. 3:5 Put to death, therefore, the members that [are] upon the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry,

    1 Tim. 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, which some, stretching after, were led astray away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

    Prov. 5:8–12 8 Keep your path far away from her, and do not go near to the opening of her house, 9 lest you give to others your splendor, and your years to a cruel one; 10 lest strangers be satisfied [by] your strength, and your labors [be] in the house of a foreigner; 11 and you groan at your end, in the consumption of your flesh and your body, 12 and you say, “How I hated discipline, and my heart spurned rebuke!

    Prov. 6:32–33 32 The one committing adultery with a woman is lacking of heart; he does it, destroying his own soul. 33 He finds [only a stroke and shame, and his reproach is not wiped away.

    Josh. 7:21 And I saw among the spoils one beautiful cloak of Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and one wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, and I coveted them and took them, and there they are hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver [is] under it.”

  • James 1:14–15; Matt. 5:22; Mic. 2:1.

    James 1:14–15 14 But each one is tempted, being dragged away and being enticed by [his] own desire. 15 Then desire, having conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, having become fully grown, brings forth death.

    Matt. 5:22 But I say to you⁺ that everyone being angry with his brother will be liable to the judgment, and whoever may say to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be liable to the Sanhedrin. But whoever may say, ‘Fool!’ will be liable to the Gehenna of fire.

    Mic. 2:1 Woe [to] those devising iniquity and working evil on their beds. In the light of morning they do it, because it is in the power of their hand.

  • Matt. 18:7; Rom. 2:23–24.

    Matt. 18:7 Woe to the world because of the stumbling blocks. For [it is] a necessity that the stumbling blocks come, but woe to the man through whom the stumbling block comes!

    Rom. 2:23–24 23 [You] who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the transgression of the law? 24 As it has been written: “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you⁺.”

  • Deut. 22:22, 28–29; Prov. 6:32–35.

    Deut. 22:22, 28–29 22 If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall die, even the two of them, the man that lay with the woman and the woman. And you shall put away the evil from Israel. 28 If a man finds a young woman, a virgin who is not betrothed, and he seizes her and lies with her and they are found out, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty [shekels] of silver, and to him she shall be wife upon that he has humbled her. He shall not be permitted to divorce her all his days.

    Prov. 6:32–35 32 The one committing adultery with a woman is lacking of heart; he does it, destroying his own soul. 33 He finds [only a stroke and shame, and his reproach is not wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the heat of a man, and he will not spare on the day of vengeance. 35 He will not lift the face of any ransom, and he will not consent, though you may multiply the bribe.

  • Matt. 11:21–24; John 15:22.

    Matt. 11:21–24 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles having happened in you⁺ had happened in Tyre and Sidon, long ago in sackcloth and ashes they would have repented. 22 But I say to you⁺, for Tyre and Sidon it will be more bearable in the day of judgment than for you⁺. 23 And you, Capernaum, to heaven will you be lifted up? To Hades you will be brought down! For if the miracles having happened in you had happened in Sodom, it would have remained until [this] day. 24 But I say to you⁺ that it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

    John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.

  • Isa. 1:3; Deut. 32:6.

    Isa. 1:3 An ox has known his owner and a donkey the trough of its master; Israel has not known; my people have not understood.”

    Deut. 32:6 Is it [even] to YHWH [that] you⁺ would act this way, O people foolish and unwise? Is not He your Father [who] created you, He [who] made you and established you?

  • Amos 4:8–11; Jer. 5:3.

    Amos 4:8–11 8 And they would stagger off two [or] three cities to one city, to drink water, and they were not satisfied—and [still] you⁺ have returned not to Me!” An utterance of YHWH. 9 “I struck you⁺ with blight and with mildew in your growing your⁺ gardens and your⁺ vineyards and your⁺ fig trees and your⁺ olive trees. The locust devoured and you⁺ have not returned to Me,” a declaration of YHWH. 10 “I sent among you⁺ a plague in the manner of Egypt; I killed your⁺ young men with the sword, along with the captivity of your⁺ horses. And the stench of your⁺ camps I even made come up to your⁺ nostrils! And you⁺ have not returned to Me,” a declaration of YHWH. 11 “I overthrew [some] among you⁺, like the overthrow by God of Sodom and Gomorrah, and you⁺ were like a firebrand delivered from the burning—and you⁺ have not returned to Me,” a declaration of YHWH.

    Jer. 5:3 O YHWH, [are] not Your eyes on the truth? You have struck them, and they have not grieved; You have finished them off; they have refused to receive discipline. They have made their faces harder than rock; they have refused to turn back.

  • Rom. 1:26–27.

    Rom. 1:26–27 26 Because of this, God gave up them to passions of dishonor. For even their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature. 27 And likewise also the males, having left the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working out shame and receiving back in themselves the recompense that was fitting of their error.

  • Rom. 1:32; Dan. 5:22; Titus 3:10–11.

    Rom. 1:32 who, having known the righteous decree of God that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only are doing them, but also agree with those practicing [them].

    Dan. 5:22 And you, his son, O Belshazzar, you have not humbled your heart, all even though all of this you knew,

    Titus 3:10–11 10 Reject a divisive man after one and a second admonition, 11 knowing that such a man is warped and is sinning, being self-condemned.

  • Prov. 29:1.

    Prov. 29:1 A man often reproved hardening the neck, suddenly will be broken, and there is no healing.

  • Titus 3:10; Matt. 18:17.

    Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after one and a second admonition,

    Matt. 18:17 And if he may fail to hear them, say [it] to the church. And if he may fail to hear even the church, let him be unto you as the Gentile and the tax collector.

  • Prov. 27:22; Prov. 23:35.

    Prov. 27:22 Though you may pound a fool in the mortar, in the midst of the grain with the pestle, his folly will not turn away from him.

    Prov. 23:35 “They struck me; I did not become weak. They beat me; I did not know [it]. When I awake, I will add to seek it again?”

  • Ps. 78:34–37; Jer. 2:20; Jer. 13:5–6, 20–21.

    Ps. 78:34–37 34 When He slew them, they would seek Him, and they turned back and sought after God. 35 And they remembered that God [was] their rock, and El-Elyon their Redeemer. 36 And they deceived Him with their mouth, and with their tongue they lied to Him. 37 And their heart was not established with Him, and they were not faithful to His covenant.

    Jer. 2:20 “For from long ago I have broken your yoke, and torn off your bonds. And you said, I will not serve!’ For on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.

    Jer. 13:5–6, 20–21 5 And I went and hid it in Perath, as YHWH commanded me. 6 And it came to pass after many days that YHWH said to me: “Rise [and] go to Perath, and take from there the the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there. 20 Lift up your⁺ eyes, and see those coming from the north. Where [is] the flock He gave to you, your beautiful flock? 21 What will you say when He sets over you—and you had taught them to be allies with you—to be head? Will not pangs seize you like a woman in labor?

  • Eccl. 5:4–6; Prov. 20:25.

    Eccl. 5:4–6 4 When you vow a vow to God, you should not delay to fulfill it, for [there is] no delight in fools. What you have vowed, you must fulfill. 5 Better that you did not vow, than that you vow and not fulfill [it]. 6 Do not give your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say before the face of the messenger that it [was] an error. Why should God be angry concerning your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

    Prov. 20:25 [It is] a snare for a man to rashly declare “It is holy” and afterward to reconsider [his] vows.

  • Lev. 26:25.

    Lev. 26:25 And I will bring against you⁺ a sword that will kill the vengeance of the covenant. And [when] you⁺ are gathered together within your⁺ cities, then I will send pestilence in your⁺ midst, and you⁺ shall be given into the hand of the enemy.

  • Prov. 2:17; Ezek. 7:18–19.

    Prov. 2:17 the one having forsaken the guide of her youth, and she has forgotten the covenant of her God.

    Ezek. 7:18–19 18 And they will be girded with sackcloth, and shuddering will cover them; and on every face [is] shame, and on all their heads baldness. 19 Their silver they will throw into the streets, and their gold will become like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of YHWH. Their souls they cannot satisfy, and their stomachs they cannot fill, for a stumbling block their iniquity has become.

  • Ps. 36:4.

    Ps. 36:4 He devises iniquity upon his bed; he stands himself on a path [that is] not good; he does not reject evil.

  • Jer. 6:16.

    Jer. 6:16 Thus says YHWH: “Stand along the pathways, and see; and ask for the old paths, ‘Where [is] this good way,’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your⁺ souls. And they said, ‘We will not walk!’

  • Num. 15:30; Ex. 21:14.

    Num. 15:30 And the soul who does beguile by hand, from the native and from the sojourner, he reviles YHWH; that person shall be cut off from among his people.

    Ex. 21:14 But if a man acts presumptuously against his neighbor to kill him by treachery, you shall take him away from My altar to die.

  • Jer. 3:3; Prov. 7:13.

    Jer. 3:3 And the showers have been withheld, and the spring rain has not come; and yet you had a whorish woman’s forehead; you refuse to be ashamed.

    Prov. 7:13 And she laid hold on him and kissed him; she has hardened her face and said to him:

  • Ps. 52:1.

    Ps. 52:1 For the one directing. A Maskil of David, in the coming of Doeg the Edomite, when he announced to Saul and said to him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God [is] all the day.

  • 3 John 10.
  • Num. 14:22.

    Num. 14:22 indeed all these men who have seen My glory and the signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test these ten times and have not heeded My voice,

  • Zech. 7:11–12.

    Zech. 7:11–12 11 And they refused to pay attention, and they gave the shoulder, acting rebelliously, and their ears they made heavy from hearing; 12 and their hearts they made flint, from hearing the law and the words that YHWH of Hosts had sent by His Spirit, by the hand of the former prophets. And there was great wrath from YHWH of Hosts.

  • Prov. 2:14.

    Prov. 2:14 those glad to do evil, they rejoice in the perversity of evil,

  • Isa. 57:17.

    Isa. 57:17 With the iniquity of his gain I was angry, and I struck him; I hid and was angry. And he went on, turning back in the way of his heart.

  • Jer. 34:8–11; 2 Peter 2:20–22.

    Jer. 34:8–11 8 The word that came to Jeremiah from YHWH after King Zedekiah had cut a covenant with all the people who [were] at Jerusalem, to proclaim to them liberty, 9 that each man should send forth free his manservant and his maidservant, a Hebrew or a Hebrewess, that none of them should lay service on a Jew, his fellow man. 10 And they agreed, all the princes and all the people who had come into this covenant, to send forth free each man his manservant and his maidservant, so as not to lay service on them anymore. And they agreed and sent [them] forth. 11 And they turned around after thus, the menservants and the maidservants made return whom they had sent forth free, and they subjected them as menservants and as maidservants.

    2 Peter 2:20–22 20 For if, having escaped from the pollutions of the world in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, now again having been entangled in these they are subdued, the last [state] has become worse to them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, having known [it], to have turned from the holy commandment having been delivered to them. 22 The thing of the true proverb has happened to them: “A dog having returned to [its] own vomit,” and, “A sow, having washed, to [her] rolling place in the mire.”

  • 2 Kings 5:26.

    2 Kings 5:26 And he said to him, “Did my heart not go when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? [Is it] the time to receive silver, and to receive garments, and olive groves, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

  • Jer. 7:10; Isa. 26:10.

    Jer. 7:10 and then come and stand before My face in this house, over which is called My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—In order to do all these abominations?

    Isa. 26:10 Let the wicked be favored—he will not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he acts unjustly, and he cannot see the majesty of YHWH.

  • Ezek. 23:37–39.

    Ezek. 23:37–39 37 For they have committed adultery, and blood [is] on their hands; with their idols they have committed adultery, and even their sons whom they bore to Me, they made pass through [the fire] for them as food. 38 Moreover this they have done to Me: They have defiled My sanctuary on that day, and My Sabbaths have profaned. 39 For in their slaughtering their children to their idols, they came into My sanctuary on that day to profane it; and behold, thus they have done in the midst of My house,

  • Isa. 58:3–5; Num. 25:6–7.

    Isa. 58:3–5 3 “Why have we fasted and You have not seen—we have afflicted our soul, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your⁺ fast you⁺ find pleasure, and you⁺ oppress all your⁺ laborers! 4 Behold, for quarreling and strife you⁺ fast, and for striking with the fist of wickedness. You⁺ shall not fast like this day to make heard your⁺ voice on high. 5 Is it like this, the fast I choose? A day for a man to afflict his soul, for bowing down his head like a reed, and spreading out sackcloth and ashes—do you call this a fast, and a day of pleasure for YHWH?

    Num. 25:6–7 6 And indeed, one of the sons of Israel came and presented to his brothers a Midianitess before the eyes of Moses and before the eyes of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they [were] weeping at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 7 And Phinehas son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw [it], and he rose from the midst of the congregation, and he took a spear in his hand,

  • 1 Cor. 11:20–21; Jer. 7:8–10.

    1 Cor. 11:20–21 20 Therefore, [on] your⁺ coming together in the same [place], it is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating, each takes first [his] own supper. And indeed this one is hungry, but that one is drunk.

    Jer. 7:8–10 8 Behold, you⁺ keep trusting for yourselves in words of deception that do not profit. 9 Are you stealing, murdering, and committing adultery, and swearing by deception, and burning incense to Baal, and walking after other gods whom you do not know, 10 and then come and stand before My face in this house, over which is called My name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—In order to do all these abominations?

  • Prov. 7:14–15; John 13:27, 30.

    Prov. 7:14–15 14 “Sacrifices of peace offerings [are] by me; this day I have paid my vows; 15 upon thus I have come out to meet you, to earnestly seek your face, and I have found you!

    John 13:27, 30 27 And after the morsel, then Satan entered into him. Therefore Jesus says to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 30 Therefore, having received the morsel, he went out immediately. And it was night.

  • Ezra 9:13–14.

    Ezra 9:13–14 13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt (since You, our God, you have restrained it to lower than our iniquities and have given us a deliverance like this), 14 should we turn back to break Your commandments and join in marriage with the peoples of these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed [us] without remnant or survivor?

  • 2 Sam. 16:22; 1 Sam. 2:22–24.

    2 Sam. 16:22 And they pitched for Absalom a tent on the roof, and Absalom went in to the concubines of his father before the eyes of all Israel.

    1 Sam. 2:22–24 22 And Eli was very old, and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 23 And he said to them, “Why do you⁺ do these things? For I hear of your⁺ evil deeds from all these people. 24 No, my sons, for the report [is] not good that I hear spreading among the people of YHWH.

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