Man & the Image of God

17 passages across 6 documents address Man & the Image of God. The full text of each is below.

About this doctrine

I. The Definition, Seat, and Multi-faceted Nature of the Image

"The image of God in man, is a mind rightly knowing the nature, will, and works of God; a will freely obeying God; and a correspondence of all the inclinations, desires, and actions, with the divine will; in a word, it is the spiritual and immortal nature of the soul, and the purity and integrity of the whole man; a perfect blessedness and joy, together with the dignity and majesty of man, in which he excels and rules over all other creatures." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"For though the divine glory is displayed in man's outward appearance, it cannot be doubted that the proper seat of the image is in the soul." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"The essence of man lies in this, that he is God’s image." [Herman Bavinck - Reformed Dogmatics]

"The Bible says that man — not merely the soul of man — was created in the image of God, and man, the 'living soul,' is not complete without the body." "We need not look for the image in the material substance of the body; it is found rather in the body as the fit instrument for the self-expression of the soul." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"And though the primary seat of the divine image was in the mind and the heart, or in the soul and its powers, there was no part even of the body in which some rays of glory did not shine." [John Calvin - Institutes]

II. Original Righteousness (Knowledge, Righteousness, and Holiness)

"The image of God in man at the first doth include the universal and perfect rectitude of the whole soul: knowledge in his understanding, righteousness in his will, holiness in his affections." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

"The New Testament indicates very specifically the nature of man’s original condition where it speaks of man as being renewed in Christ, that is, as being brought back to a former condition. The condition to which he is restored in Christ is clearly not one of neutrality, neither good nor bad, in which the will is in a state of perfect equilibrium, but one of true knowledge, Col. 3:10, righteousness and holiness, Eph. 4:24." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"Positively, the image of God doth consist in the inward resemblance of his soul to God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness." [Thomas Vincent - The Shorter Catechism]

III. The Vitiation and Loss of the Image Through the Fall

"But after the fall, man lost this glorious image of God, on account of sin, and became transformed into the hateful image of satan." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"Wherefore, although we grant that the image of God was not utterly effaced and destroyed in him, it was, however, so corrupted, that any thing which remains is fearful deformity; and, therefore, our deliverance begins with that renovation which we obtain from Christ, who is, therefore, called the second Adam, because he restores us to true and substantial integrity." [John Calvin - Institutes]

"But those things which we have lost of the image of God are by far the greatest and most important benefits; of which we may mention the following: 1. The true, perfect, and saving knowledge of God, and of the divine will. 2. Correct views of the works of God, together with light and knowledge in the understanding; in the place of which we now have ignorance, blindness, and darkness. 3. The regulation and government of all the inclinations, desires, and actions; and a conformity with the law of God in the will, heart, and external parts; instead of which there is now a dreadful disorder and depravity of the inclinations and motions of the heart and will, from which all actual sin proceeds."

IV. The Remains and Sparks of the Image in Fallen Man

"There were, however, some remains and sparks of the image of God still left in man, after his fall, and which even yet continue in those who are unregenerated, of which we may mention the following: 1. The incorporeal, rational, and immortal substance of the soul, together with its powers, of which we would merely make mention of the liberty of the will, so that whatever man wills, he wills freely 2. There are, in the understanding, many notions and conceptions of God, of nature, and of, the distinction which exists between things proper and improper, which constitute the principles of the arts and sciences. 3. There are some traces and remains of moral virtues, and some ability of regulating the external deportment of the life. 4. The enjoyment of many temporal blessings. 5. A certain dominion over other creatures." [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"But the image of God is not to be restricted to the original knowledge, righteousness, and holiness which was lost by sin, but also includes elements which belong to the natural constitution of man. They are elements which belong to man as man, such as intellectual power, natural affections, and moral freedom." [Louis Berkhof - Systematic Theology]

"Still, in this diversity we can trace some remains of the divine image distinguishing the whole human race from other creatures." [John Calvin - Institutes]

V. The Divine Restoration of the Image in Jesus Christ

"The restoration of this image of God in man, is effected by him alone, who first conferred it upon man; for he who gives life, and restores it when lost, is the same being." "God the Father, restores this image through the Son; because he has 'made him unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.' (1 Cor. 1:30.) The Son, through the Holy Spirit, 'changes us into the same image, from glory unto glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.' (2 Cor. 3:18.)" [Zacharias Ursinus - Commentary on the Heidelberg]

"Accordingly through the blessing of Christ we are renewed by that regeneration into the righteousness of God from which we had fallen through Adam, the Lord being pleased in this manner to restore the integrity of all whom he appoints to the inheritance of life." [John Calvin - Institutes]

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Canons of Dort

Third and Fourth Head, Article 1: The Effect of the Fall on Human Nature

Man was originally created in the image of God and was furnished in his mind with a true and salutary knowledge of his Creator and things spiritual, in his will and heart with righteousness, and in all his emotions with purity; indeed, the whole man was holy. However, rebelling against God at the devil's instigation and by his own free will, he deprived himself of these outstanding gifts. Rather, in their place he brought upon himself blindness, terrible darkness, futility, and distortion of judgment in his mind; perversity, defiance, and hardness in his heart and will; and finally impurity in all his emotions.

Parallel passages (6+)

Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 8: Of Man's Fall, Sin, and the Cause of Sin5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof4 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 184 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 194 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 254 shared topics Scots Confession · Chapter III: Of Original Sin4 shared topics

Canons of Dort

Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors

Having set forth the orthodox teaching, the Synod rejects the errors of those

Error I.

Who teach that, properly speaking, it cannot be said that original sin in itself is enough to condemn the whole human race or to warrant temporal and eternal punishments.

For they contradict the apostle when he says: "Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death passed on to all men because all sinned" (Rom. 5:12); also: "The guilt followed one sin and brought condemnation" (Rom. 5:16); likewise: "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

Error II.

Who teach that the spiritual gifts or the good dispositions and virtues such as goodness, holiness, and righteousness could not have resided in man's will when he was first created, and therefore could not have been separated from the will at the fall.

For this conflicts with the apostle's description of the image of God in Ephesians 4:24, where he portrays the image in terms of righteousness and holiness, which definitely reside in the will.

Error III.

Who teach that in spiritual death the spiritual gifts have not been separated from man's will, since the will in itself has never been corrupted but only hindered by the darkness of the mind and the unruliness of the emotions, and since the will is able to exercise its innate free capacity once these hindrances are removed, which is to say, it is able of itself to will or choose whatever good is set before it—or else not to will or choose it.

This is a novel idea and an error and has the effect of elevating the power of free choice, contrary to the words of Jeremiah the prophet: "The heart itself is deceitful above all things and wicked" (Jer. 17:9); and of the words of the apostle: "All of us also lived among them [the sons of disobedience] at one time in the passions of our flesh, following the will of our flesh and thoughts" (Eph. 2:3).

Error IV.

Who teach that unregenerate man is not strictly or totally dead in his sins or deprived of all capacity for spiritual good but is able to hunger and thirst for righteousness or life and to offer the sacrifice of a broken and contrite spirit which is pleasing to God.

For these views are opposed to the plain testimonies of Scripture: "You were dead in your transgressions and sins" (Eph. 2:1, 5); "The imagination of the thoughts of man's heart is only evil all the time" (Gen. 6:5; 8:21). Besides, to hunger and thirst for deliverance from misery and for life, and to offer God the sacrifice of a broken spirit is characteristic only of the regenerate and of those called blessed (Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:6).

Error V.

Who teach that corrupt and natural man can make such good use of common grace (by which they mean the light of nature) or of the gifts remaining after the fall that he is able thereby gradually to obtain a greater grace—evangelical or saving grace—as well as salvation itself; and that in this way God, for his part, shows himself ready to reveal Christ to all people, since he provides to all, to a sufficient extent and in an effective manner, the means necessary for the revealing of Christ, for faith, and for repentance.

For Scripture, not to mention the experience of all ages, testifies that this is false: "He makes known his words to Jacob, his statutes and his laws to Israel; he has done this for no other nation, and they do not know his laws" (Ps. 147:19–20); "In the past God let all nations go their own way" (Acts 14:16); "They [Paul and his companions] were kept by the Holy Spirit from speaking God's word in Asia"; and "When they had come to Mysia, they tried to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit would not allow them to" (Acts 16:6–7).

Error VI.

Who teach that in the true conversion of man new qualities, dispositions, or gifts cannot be infused or poured into his will by God, and indeed that the faith [or believing] by which we first come to conversion and from which we receive the name "believers" is not a quality or gift infused by God, but only an act of man, and that it cannot be called a gift except in respect to the power of attaining faith.

For these views contradict the Holy Scriptures, which testify that God does infuse or pour into our hearts the new qualities of faith, obedience, and the experiencing of his love: "I will put my law in their minds, and write it on their hearts" (Jer. 31:33); "I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring" (Isa. 44:3); "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Rom. 5:5). They also conflict with the continuous practice of the church, which prays with the prophet: "Convert me, Lord, and I shall be converted" (Jer. 31:18).

Error VII.

Who teach that the grace by which we are converted to God is nothing but a gentle persuasion, or (as others explain it) that the way of God's acting in man's conversion that is most noble and suited to human nature is that which happens by persuasion, and that nothing prevents this grace of moral suasion even by itself from making natural men spiritual; indeed, that God does not produce the assent of the will except in this manner of moral suasion, and that the effectiveness of God's work by which it surpasses the work of Satan consists in the fact that God promises eternal benefits while Satan promises temporal ones.

For this teaching is entirely Pelagian and contrary to the whole of Scripture, which recognizes besides this persuasion also another, far more effective and divine way in which the Holy Spirit acts in man's conversion. As Ezekiel 36:26 puts it: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. . . ."

Error VIII.

Who teach that God in regenerating man does not bring to bear that power of his omnipotence whereby he may powerfully and unfailingly bend man's will to faith and conversion, but that even when God has accomplished all the works of grace which he uses for man's conversion, man nevertheless can, and in actual fact often does, so resist God and the Spirit in their intent and will to regenerate him, that man completely thwarts his own rebirth; and, indeed, that it remains in his own power whether or not to be reborn.

For this does away with all effective functioning of God's grace in our conversion and subjects the activity of Almighty God to the will of man; it is contrary to the apostles, who teach that "we believe by virtue of the effective working of God's mighty strength" (Eph. 1:19), and that "God fulfills the undeserved good will of his kindness and the work of faith in us with power" (2 Thess. 1:11), and likewise that "his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3).

Error IX.

Who teach that grace and free choice are concurrent partial causes which cooperate to initiate conversion, and that grace does not precede—in the order of causality—the effective influence of the will; that is to say, that God does not effectively help man's will to come to conversion before man's will itself motivates and determines itself.

For the early church already condemned this doctrine long ago in the Pelagians, on the basis of the words of the apostle: "It does not depend on man's willing or running but on God's mercy" (Rom. 9:16); also: "Who makes you different from anyone else?" and "What do you have that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7); likewise: "It is God who works in you to will and act according to his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

Scripture proofs

Rom. 5:12
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Rom. 5:16
Rom. 5:16 And not as through one having sinned [is] the gift; for indeed the judgment out of one [is] to condemnation; but the gracious gift out of many trespasses [is] to justification.
Rom. 6:23
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 4:24
Ephesians 4:24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Jer. 17:9
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick—who can know it?
Eph. 2:3
Eph. 2:3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.
Eph. 2:1, 5
Eph. 2:1, 5 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved—
Gen. 6:5; 8:21
Gen. 6:5 And YHWH saw that the wickedness of mankind on the earth [was] great and [that] every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil all the day.
8:21 And YHWH smelled the pleasing aroma, and YHWH said in His heart, “I will not continue to curse anymore the ground on account of mankind, though the inclination of the heart of man [is] evil from his youth. I will not continue anymore to destroy every living thing, as I have done.
Ps. 51:17; Matt. 5:6
Ps. 51:17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit. A heart broken and crushed, O God, You will not despise.
Matt. 5:6 Blessed [are] those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, because they will be filled.
Ps. 147:19–20
Ps. 147:19–20 19 He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel. 20 He has not done so for any nation; and His judgments they have not known. Praise YAH!
Acts 14:16
Acts 14:16 who in the generations past allowed all the nations to go their ways.
Acts 16:6–7
Acts 16:6–7 6 And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, 7 and having come down to Mysia, they were attempting to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
Jer. 31:33
Jer. 31:33 “For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, after those days, a declaration of YHWH: I will give My law in their inward parts, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Isa. 44:3
Isa. 44:3 For I will pour water upon a thirsty one, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit upon your seed, and My blessing upon your offspring.
Rom. 5:5
Rom. 5:5 And hope does not put [us] to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, the One having been given to us.
Jer. 31:18
Jer. 31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself: ‘You disciplined me, and I was disciplined as an untrained heifer; turn me back and I will return, for You [are] YHWH my God.
Ezekiel 36:26
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh.
Eph. 1:19
Eph. 1:19 and what [is] the surpassing greatness of His power to us, those believing, according to the working of the power of His strength,
2 Thess. 1:11
2 Thess. 1:11 For [this] also we pray always for you⁺, that our God may count you⁺ worthy of the calling and may fulfill every good pleasure of goodness and work of faith in power,
2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:3 Accordingly, His divine power has given to us all things toward life and godliness, through the knowledge of the One having called us [by His] own glory and excellence,
Rom. 9:16
Rom. 9:16 So then, [it is] not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God having mercy.
1 Cor. 4:7
1 Cor. 4:7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if also you did receive [it], why do you boast as not having received [it]?
Phil. 2:13
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof8 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 255 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof5 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 8: Of Man's Fall, Sin, and the Cause of Sin4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will4 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 1

Q. What is the chief end of man?

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Scripture proofs

Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 4:11.
Ps. 86:9 All the nations whom You have made shall come and bow down before Your face, O Lord, and they will glorify Your name.
Isa. 60:21 And your people, all of them, [will be] righteous; they will inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, to [My] being glorified.
Rom. 11:36 For from Him and through Him and unto Him [are] all things. To Him [be] the glory to the ages! Amen.
1 Cor. 6:20 for you⁺ were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your⁺ body.
1 Cor. 10:31 Therefore whether you⁺ eat or drink or whatever you⁺ do, do all things to the glory of God.
Rev. 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created.”
Ps. 16:5–11; Ps. 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3–4.
Ps. 16:5–11 5 YHWH, [is] the portion of my share, and my cup; You [are] the One upholding my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in the pleasant [places]; indeed, a pleasing inheritance [is] unto me. 7 I will bless YHWH, who counsels me; even [in] the nights, my kidneys instruct me. 8 I have set YHWH before me continually; because [He is] at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, and You will not give Your Holy one to see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; fullness of joys [is] with Your face, pleasant [things] [are] at Your right hand forever.
Ps. 144:15 Blessed [are] the people for whom [is] thus; blessed [are] the people for whom YHWH [is] God!
Isa. 12:2 Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for my strength and song [is] YAH—YHWH, and He has become for me salvation.”
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you⁺ [of] great joy that will be to all the people.
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Rev. 21:3–4 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying: “Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them [as] their God. 4 ‘And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and death will be no more, nor mourning nor crying nor pain; they will be no more, because the first things passed away.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 113 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1902 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 152 shared proof texts Heidelberg Catechism · Question 11 shared proof text · 3 shared topics Canons of Dort · First Head, Article 18: The Proper Attitude toward Election and Reprobation1 shared proof text · 2 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 12

Q. What special act of providence did God exercise towards man in the estate wherein he was created?

A. When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 2:16–17; James 2:10.
Gen. 2:16–17 16 And YHWH God placed a command upon the man, saying, “From every tree of the garden you may surely eat. 17 And from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from it you shall not eat. For in the day of your eating from it, you shall surely die!”
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, but shall stumble in one [part], he has become guilty of all.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 203 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 223 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 172 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 17

Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:16–19, 23; Rom. 3:16; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1.
Gen. 3:16–19, 23 16 To the woman He said, “I will surely multiply your pain and your childbearing; in pain you will bear children. And toward your husband your desire [will be], and he will rule over you.” 17 And to the man He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘you shall not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life, 18 and thorn and thistle it will cause to grow for you, and you shall eat the vegetation of the field. 19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.” 23 And YHWH God sent him out of the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
Rom. 3:16 ruin and misery [are] in their paths;
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Eph. 2:1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins—

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 237 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 274 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 253 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof3 shared proof texts · shared topic Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 8: Of Man's Fall, Sin, and the Cause of Sin2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 18

Q. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 5:12, 19.
Rom. 5:12, 19 12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
Rom. 3:10; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24.
Rom. 3:10 As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
Col. 3:10 and having put on the new, the one being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One having created him,
Eph. 4:24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Ps. 51:5; John 3:6; Rom. 3:18; Rom. 8:7–8; Eph. 2:3.
Ps. 51:5 Behold, in iniquity I was brought forth, and in sin my mother conceived me.
John 3:6 That having been born of the flesh is flesh, and that having been born of the Spirit is spirit.
Rom. 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Rom. 8:7–8 7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for [it is] not even able. 8 And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.
Eph. 2:3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.
Gen. 6:5; Ps. 53:1–3; Matt. 15:19; Rom. 3:10–18, 23; Gal. 5:19–21; James 1:14–15.
Gen. 6:5 And YHWH saw that the wickedness of mankind on the earth [was] great and [that] every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil all the day.
Ps. 53:1–3 1 For the one directing. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and have done abominable injustice; there is no one doing good. 2 God looks down from the heavens upon the sons of man, to see: Is there one acting wisely, seeking God? 3 All have turned back, together they have become corrupt; there is no one doing good, not even one.
Matt. 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, slanders.
Rom. 3:10–18, 23 10 As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God. 12 All turned away; together they became worthless; there is none who is doing kindness, there is not even one.” 13 “Their throat [is] a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues;” “the poison of vipers [is] under their lips,” 14 “of whom the mouth is full of cursing and of bitterness;” 15 “their feet [are] swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery [are] in their paths; 17 and a way of peace they did not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Gal. 5:19–21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of rage, rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envies, drunkennesses, carousings, and things like these, as to which I say to you⁺ beforehand, as also I said before, that those doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 2527 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof20 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof19 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 513 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1949 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will8 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 19

Q. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:8, 24; John 8:34, 42, 44; Eph. 2:12; Eph. 4:18.
Gen. 3:8, 24 8 And they heard the voice of YHWH God walking about in the garden in the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of YHWH God in the midst of the trees of the garden. 24 And He drove out the man, and He caused to dwell at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim and the flame of the sword that turns itself to guard the way to the tree of life.
John 8:34, 42, 44 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you⁺ that everyone who [is] doing sin is a slave of sin. 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your⁺ Father, you⁺ would love Me, for I came forth from God and am here; for neither have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 44 You⁺ are of [your] father the devil, and you⁺ want to do the desires of your⁺ father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he may speak falsehood, he speaks from [his] own, because he is a liar and the father of it.
Eph. 2:12 that at that time you⁺ were apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world.
Eph. 4:18 being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance being in them on account of the hardness of their heart,
John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:3; Eph. 5:6.
John 3:36 The one believing in the Son has eternal life; but the one not obeying the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness,
Eph. 2:3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.
Eph. 5:6 Let no one deceive you⁺ with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Gal. 3:10; Rev. 22:3.
Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of works of the law, they are under a curse, for it has been written: “Cursed [is] everyone who does not continue in all things having been written in the Book of the Law, to do them.”
Rev. 22:3 And there will not be any curse any longer. And the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him.
Gen. 3:16–19; Job 5:7; Eccl. 2:22–23; Rom. 8:18–23.
Gen. 3:16–19 16 To the woman He said, “I will surely multiply your pain and your childbearing; in pain you will bear children. And toward your husband your desire [will be], and he will rule over you.” 17 And to the man He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘you shall not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life, 18 and thorn and thistle it will cause to grow for you, and you shall eat the vegetation of the field. 19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.”
Job 5:7 For man is born into toil, and as the sons of the flame soar to fly.
Eccl. 2:22–23 22 For what has been for the man for all his toil and for the striving of his heart, with which he toils under the sun? 23 For all his days are pains, and anger [is] his task; even in the night his heart will not find rest. This also is vapor.
Rom. 8:18–23 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time [are] not comparable to the glory about to be revealed in us. 19 For the eager expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the One having subjected [it], in hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay, into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that all the creation groans together and travails together until now. 23 And not only [so], but we ourselves, even having the firstfruit of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly awaiting adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 5:12; Rom. 6:23.
Ezek. 18:4 behold, all souls, they [are] unto Me—as the soul of the father, also the soul of the son—they [are] unto Me: The soul that is sinning, it will die.
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matt. 25:41, 46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:9–11.
Matt. 25:41, 46 41 Then also He will say to those on [His] left, ‘Depart from Me, the cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
2 Thess. 1:9 who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Rev. 14:9–11 9 And another, a third angel, followed them, saying in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the fury of God, having been poured undiluted in the cup of His wrath; and he will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and before the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up to ages of ages; and those worshiping the beast and its image have no rest day and night, and if anyone receives the mark of its name.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 2726 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof9 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 235 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 295 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works5 shared proof texts · shared topic Heidelberg Catechism · Question 525 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Question 35

Q. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Scripture proofs

Ezek. 36:27; Phil. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:13.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23–24; 1 Thess. 5:23.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation. The old things passed away; behold, the new things have come into being!
Eph. 4:23–24 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your⁺ mind, 24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ezek. 36:25–27; Rom. 6:4, 6, 12–14; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Peter 2:24.
Ezek. 36:25–27 25 And I will sprinkle on you⁺ pure water, and you⁺ will be pure from all your⁺ uncleannesses, and from all your⁺ idols I will purify you⁺. 26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh. 27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
Rom. 6:4, 6, 12–14 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your⁺ mortal body, in order to obey its desires. 13 Neither present your⁺ members to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as living out from the dead, and your⁺ members to God [as] instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having been dead to sins, we might live to righteousness, “by whose stripes you⁺ were healed.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 7516 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification8 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God5 shared proof texts Heidelberg Catechism · Question 885 shared proof texts Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 674 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 704 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 20

Q. What was the providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created?

A. The providence of God toward man in the estate in which he was created, was the placing him in paradise, appointing him to dress it, giving him liberty to eat of the fruit of the earth; putting the creatures under his dominion, and ordaining marriage for his help; affording him communion with himself; instituting the Sabbath; entering into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience, of which the tree of life was a pledge; and forbidding to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 2:8, 15–16.
Gen. 2:8, 15–16 8 And YHWH God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and He put there the man whom He had formed. 15 And YHWH God took the man and He caused him to rest in the garden of Eden, to work it and to keep it. 16 And YHWH God placed a command upon the man, saying, “From every tree of the garden you may surely eat.
Gen. 1:28.
Gen. 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. And rule over the fish of the sea and over the bird of the heavens and over every living thing that is crawling upon the earth.”
Gen. 2:18. (See Matt. 19:3–9; Eph. 5:31.)
Gen. 2:18 And YHWH God said, “[It is] not good [for] the man to be alone; I will make for him a helper as his counterpart.”
Matt. 19:3–9 3 And Pharisees came to Him, testing Him and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to send away his wife for any cause?” 4 And answering, He said, “Did you⁺ not read that the One having created from the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and He said, ‘On account of this a man will leave the father and the mother and be joined with his wife, and the two will be for one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God yoked together, let man not separate.” 7 They say to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give [her] a roll of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He says to them, “Moses, for your⁺ hardness of heart, allowed you⁺ to divorce your⁺ wives; but it has not been this way from the beginning. 9 And I say to you⁺ that whoever shall send away his wife, except for sexual immorality, and shall marry another, he commits adultery.”
Eph. 5:31 “Because of this, a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will be into one flesh.”
Gen. 1:26–29; Gen. 3:8.
Gen. 1:26–29 26 And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the bird of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls upon the earth.” 27 And God created the man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. And rule over the fish of the sea and over the bird of the heavens and over every living thing that is crawling upon the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given to you⁺ every plant bearing seed which [is] on the face of all the earth, and every tree that [has] in [it] the fruit of a tree bearing seed—it shall be for food to you⁺—
Gen. 3:8 And they heard the voice of YHWH God walking about in the garden in the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of YHWH God in the midst of the trees of the garden.
Gen. 2:3. (Cf. Ex. 20:11.)
Gen. 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and He sanctified it, because on it He ceased from all His work that God had created for making.
Ex. 20:11 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.
Gen. 2:16–17; Gal. 3:12; Rom. 10:5.
Gen. 2:16–17 16 And YHWH God placed a command upon the man, saying, “From every tree of the garden you may surely eat. 17 And from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from it you shall not eat. For in the day of your eating from it, you shall surely die!”
Gal. 3:12 But the law is not out of faith; rather, “The one having done these things will live in them.”
Rom. 10:5 For Moses writes [of] the righteousness that [is] of the law, that, “The man having done these things will live in them.”
Gen. 2:9; Gen. 3:22–24.
Gen. 2:9 And YHWH God made sprout from the ground every tree [that] is pleasing to the sight and good for food, and the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Gen. 3:22–24 22 And YHWH God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, in knowing good and evil. And now, lest he stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever:” 23 And YHWH God sent him out of the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 And He drove out the man, and He caused to dwell at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim and the flame of the sword that turns itself to guard the way to the tree of life.
Gen. 2:17. (Cf. James 2:10.)
Gen. 2:17 And from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from it you shall not eat. For in the day of your eating from it, you shall surely die!”
James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, but shall stumble in one [part], he has become guilty of all.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God10 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation8 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce7 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 7: Of God's Covenant with Man5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 4: Of Creation5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 123 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 21

Q. Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created him?

A. Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God in eating the forbidden fruit; and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:6–8, 13; Eccl. 7:29; 2 Cor. 11:3.
Gen. 3:6–8, 13 6 And the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes and the tree [was] desirable to make one wise. And she took from its fruit and ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 And the eyes of the two of them were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked, and they sewed together leaves of the fig tree and made for themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the voice of YHWH God walking about in the garden in the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of YHWH God in the midst of the trees of the garden. 13 And YHWH God said to the woman, “What [is] this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Eccl. 7:29 See, this alone I have found: That God made man upright, and they have sought out many schemes.
2 Cor. 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your⁺ minds might be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that [is] to Christ.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 135 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof5 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 4: Of Creation3 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof2 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 92 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 23

Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 3:16–19; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1; Rom. 3:16, 23.
Gen. 3:16–19 16 To the woman He said, “I will surely multiply your pain and your childbearing; in pain you will bear children. And toward your husband your desire [will be], and he will rule over you.” 17 And to the man He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and ate from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘you shall not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground on your account, in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life, 18 and thorn and thistle it will cause to grow for you, and you shall eat the vegetation of the field. 19 By the sweat of your nose you shall eat bread, until your returning to the ground, for from it you were taken. For dust you [are], and to dust you shall return.”
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Eph. 2:1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins—
Rom. 3:16, 23 16 ruin and misery [are] in their paths; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Parallel passages (6+)

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Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 25

Q. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called original sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.

Scripture proofs

Rom. 5:12, 19. (See 1 Cor. 15:22.)
Rom. 5:12, 19 12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
1 Cor. 15:22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive—
Rom. 3:10–12 (see vv. 13–19); Eph. 2:1–3; Rom. 5:6; Rom. 8:7–8; Gen. 6:5. (See Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24.)
Rom. 3:10–12 10 As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God. 12 All turned away; together they became worthless; there is none who is doing kindness, there is not even one.”
Eph. 2:1–3 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 2 in which once you⁺ walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.
Rom. 5:6 Still indeed Christ, [in] our still being weak, according to the right time, died for the ungodly.
Rom. 8:7–8 7 because the mind of the flesh [is] hostility toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for [it is] not even able. 8 And those being in the flesh are not able to please God.
Gen. 6:5 And YHWH saw that the wickedness of mankind on the earth [was] great and [that] every inclination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil all the day.
Col. 3:10 and having put on the new, the one being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One having created him,
Eph. 4:24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
James 1:14–15; Ps. 53:1–3; Matt. 15:19. (See Rom. 3:10–18, 23; Gal. 5:19–21.)
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.
Ps. 53:1–3 1 For the one directing. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and have done abominable injustice; there is no one doing good. 2 God looks down from the heavens upon the sons of man, to see: Is there one acting wisely, seeking God? 3 All have turned back, together they have become corrupt; there is no one doing good, not even one.
Matt. 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, slanders.
Rom. 3:10–18, 23 10 As it has been written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one understanding; there is no one seeking out God. 12 All turned away; together they became worthless; there is none who is doing kindness, there is not even one.” 13 “Their throat [is] a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues;” “the poison of vipers [is] under their lips,” 14 “of whom the mouth is full of cursing and of bitterness;” 15 “their feet [are] swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery [are] in their paths; 17 and a way of peace they did not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Gal. 5:19–21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of rage, rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envies, drunkennesses, carousings, and things like these, as to which I say to you⁺ beforehand, as also I said before, that those doing such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1827 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof22 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof19 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Heidelberg Catechism · Question 515 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will8 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors5 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 75

Q. What is sanctification?

A. Sanctification is a work of God's grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.

Scripture proofs

Ezek. 36:27; Phil. 2:13; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Cor. 6:11.
Ezek. 36:27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
Phil. 2:13 For God is the One working in you⁺ both to will and to work on behalf of [His] good pleasure.
2 Thess. 2:13 But we ought to give thanks to God always concerning you⁺, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you⁺ from the beginning unto salvation in the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,
Eph. 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless before Him, in love
1 Cor. 6:11 And some [of] you⁺ were these. But you⁺ were washed, but you⁺ were sanctified, but you⁺ were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Rom. 6:4–6; Col. 3:1–3; Phil. 3:10.
Rom. 6:4–6 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united in the likeness of His death, yet also we will be of the resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin.
Col. 3:1–3 1 If, then, you⁺ were raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Mind the things above, not the things on the earth. 3 For you⁺ died, and your⁺ life has been hidden with Christ in God.
Phil. 3:10 to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23–24; 1 Thess. 5:23.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation. The old things passed away; behold, the new things have come into being!
Eph. 4:23–24 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your⁺ mind, 24 and to have put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
1 Thess. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 11:18; 1 John 3:9.
Acts 11:18 And having heard these things, they were silent and glorified God, saying, “Then indeed God has given also to the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
1 John 3:9 Everyone having been born of God does not do sin, because His seed remains in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been born of God.
Jude 20; Heb. 6:11–12; Eph. 3:16–19; Col. 1:10–11.
Heb. 6:11–12 11 And we desire each of you⁺ to show the same diligence toward the full assurance of the hope until the end, 12 so that you⁺ may not be sluggish, but imitators of those through faith and patience inheriting the promises.
Eph. 3:16–19 16 that He might give to you⁺ according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 [for] Christ to dwell in your⁺ hearts through faith, having been rooted and having been founded in love, 18 that you⁺ may be fully able, with all the saints, to comprehend what [is] the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge, that you⁺ may be filled to all the fullness of God.
Col. 1:10–11 10 to walk worthily of the Lord: pleasing in all, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being empowered with all power according to the power of His glory unto all endurance and patience, with joy
Jude 20 on BibleHub ↗
Ezek. 36:25–27; Rom. 6:4, 6, 12–14; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 5:24.
Ezek. 36:25–27 25 And I will sprinkle on you⁺ pure water, and you⁺ will be pure from all your⁺ uncleannesses, and from all your⁺ idols I will purify you⁺. 26 And I will give to you⁺ a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you⁺; and I will take away the heart of stone from your⁺ flesh, and I will give to you⁺ a heart of flesh. 27 And My Spirit I will put within you⁺, and I will make [it] that you⁺ will walk in My statutes and My ordinances you⁺ will keep and you⁺ will do [them].
Rom. 6:4, 6, 12–14 4 We were buried, therefore, with Him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised out from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life. 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [Him], so that the body of sin might be nullified, [for] us no longer to be slaves to sin. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your⁺ mortal body, in order to obey its desires. 13 Neither present your⁺ members to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as living out from the dead, and your⁺ members to God [as] instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you⁺, for you⁺ are not under law, but under grace.
2 Cor. 7:1 Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having been dead to sins, we might live to righteousness, “by whose stripes you⁺ were healed.”
Gal. 5:24 Now those of Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with the passions and the desires.

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification17 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 3516 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 13: Of Sanctification11 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation7 shared proof texts Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 16: Of Good Works6 shared proof texts · shared topic Heidelberg Catechism · Question 886 shared proof texts · shared topic

Westminster Larger Catechism

Question 92

Q. What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience?

A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocence, and to all mankind in him, besides a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, was the moral law.

Scripture proofs

Gen. 1:26–27; Rom. 2:14–15; Rom. 10:5; Gen. 2:17.
Gen. 1:26–27 26 And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the bird of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls upon the earth.” 27 And God created the man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Rom. 2:14–15 14 For when Gentiles, not having the law, may do by nature the things of the law, these not having a law are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also testifying, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending [them]
Rom. 10:5 For Moses writes [of] the righteousness that [is] of the law, that, “The man having done these things will live in them.”
Gen. 2:17 And from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from it you shall not eat. For in the day of your eating from it, you shall surely die!”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God6 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 4: Of Creation5 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation5 shared proof texts · shared topic London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God4 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 403 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof2 shared proof texts · shared topic

Scots Confession

Chapter III: Of Original Sin

By which transgression, commonly called original sin, was the image of God utterly defaced in man. And he and his posterity of nature became enemies to God, slaves to Satan, and servants to sin (Eph. 2; Rom. 5), that death everlasting has had, and insofar will have, power and domination over all that have not been, are not, or will not be regenerated from above (John 3). Which regeneration is wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5–6) working in the hearts of the elect of God, an assured faith in the promises of God revealed to us in His Word, by which faith they apprehend Christ Jesus with the graces and benefits promised in Him.

Scripture proofs

Eph. 2; Rom. 5
Ephesians 2 on BibleHub ↗
Romans 5 on BibleHub ↗
John 3
John 3 on BibleHub ↗
Rom. 5–6
Romans 5 on BibleHub ↗
Romans 6 on BibleHub ↗

Parallel passages (6+)

Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors9 shared topics Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head, Article 3: Total Inability8 shared topics Second Helvetic Confession · Chapter 9: Of Free Will, and So of Man's Power and Ability8 shared topics Canons of Dort · Fifth Head: Rejection of the Errors7 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 677 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof7 shared topics

Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 8: Of Man's Fall, Sin, and the Cause of Sin

Man was from the beginning created of God after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness, good and upright; but by the instigation of the serpent and his own fault, falling from goodness and uprightness, he became subject to sin, death, and divers calamities; and such a one as he became by his fall, such are all his offspring, even subject to sin, death, and sundry calamities.

And we take sin to be that natural corruption of man, derived or spread from our first parents unto us all, through which we, being drowned in evil concupiscence, and clean turned away from God, but prone to all evil, full of all wickedness, distrust, contempt, and hatred of God, can do no good of ourselves, no not so much as think any (Matt. 12:33–35). And, what is more, even as we grow in years, so by wicked thoughts, words, and deeds, committed against the law of God, we bring forth corrupt fruits, worthy of an evil tree: in which respect, we, through our own desert, being subject to the wrath of God, are in danger of just punishment; so that we had all been cast away from God, had not Christ, the deliverer, brought us back again.

By death, therefore, we understand not only bodily death, which is once to be suffered of us all for sins, but also everlasting punishments due to our corruption and to our sins. For the apostle says, "We were dead in trespasses and sins, and were by nature the children of wrath, as well as others; but God who is rich in mercy, even when we were dead by sins, quickened us together in Christ" (Eph. 2:1–5). Again, "As by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin, death, and so death went over all men, forasmuch as all men have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).

We, therefore, acknowledge that original sin is in all men; we acknowledge that all other sins which spring therefrom, are both called and are indeed sins, by what name soever they are termed, whether mortal or venial, or also that which is called sin against the Holy Ghost, which is never forgiven (Mark 3:29; 1 John 5:16–17). We also confess that sins are not equal, although they spring from the same fountain of corruption and unbelief, but that some are more grievous than others; even as the Lord has said, "It shall be easier for Sodom, than for the city that despiseth the word of the gospel" (Matt. 10:15).

We, therefore, condemn all those that have taught things contrary to these; but especially Pelagius, and all the Pelagians, together with the Jovinians who, with the Stoics, count all sins equal. In this matter we agree fully with St. Augustine, who produced and maintained his sayings out of the Holy Scriptures. Moreover we condemn Florinus Blastus (against whom also Irenaeus wrote) and all those that make God the author of sin; seeing it is expressly written, "Thou art not a God that loveth wickedness; thou hatest all them that work iniquity, and wilt destroy all that speak lies" (Ps. 5:4–6). And again, "When the devil speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; because he is a liar, and the father of lying" (John 8:44). Yes, there is even in ourselves sin and corruption enough, so that there is no need that God should infuse into us either a new or greater measure of wickedness. Therefore, when God is said in the Scripture to harden (Ex. 7:13), to blind (John 12:40) and to deliver us up into a reprobate sense (Rom. 1:28), it is to be understood that God does it by just judgment, as a just judge and avenger. To conclude, as often as God in the Scripture is said and seems to do some evil, it is not thereby meant that man does not commit evil, but that God suffers it to be done, and does not hinder it; and by His just judgment, who could hinder it, if He would: or because He makes good use of the evil of men, as He did in the sins of Joseph's brethren; or because He Himself rules sins that they do not break out and rage more violently than is meet. St. Augustine, in his Enchiridion, says, "After a wonderful and unspeakable manner, that is not done beside His will which is done contrary to His will; because it could not be done, if He should not suffer it to be done; and yet He does not suffer it to be done unwillingly, but willingly; neither would He, being God, suffer any evil to be done, unless, being also Almighty, He could make good of evil." Thus far Augustine.

Other questions, as, whether God would have Adam fall, or whether He forced him to fall, or why He did not hinder his fall, and such like, we count among curious questions (unless perchance the forwardness of heretics or of men otherwise importunate compels us to open these points also out of the Word of God, as the godly doctors of the church have often done), knowing that the Lord did forbid that man should eat of the forbidden fruit and punished his transgression; and also that the things done are not evil in respect of the providence, will, and power of God, but in respect of Satan and our will resisting the will of God.

Scripture proofs

Matt. 12:33–35
Matt. 12:33–35 33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. For by the fruit, the tree is known. 34 Offspring of vipers, how are you⁺ able to speak good things, being evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 35 The good man out of his good treasure puts forth good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure puts forth evil things.
Eph. 2:1–5
Eph. 2:1–5 1 And you⁺, being dead in your⁺ trespasses and sins— 2 in which once you⁺ walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom we all also once conducted ourselves in the desires of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of [its] thoughts; and we were by nature children of wrath even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His much love with which He loved us, 5 even us being dead in trespasses, made [us] alive with Christ—by grace you⁺ are saved—
Rom. 5:12
Rom. 5:12 Because of this, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so also death passed through to all men, because all sinned.
Mark 3:29; 1 John 5:16–17
Mark 3:29 But whoever may blaspheme in regard to the Holy Spirit does not have forgiveness to the age, but is guilty [of] eternal sin.”
1 John 5:16–17 16 If anyone should see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and He will give to him life—to those sinning not unto death. There is a sin unto death; I do not say that he should implore concerning that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not unto death.
Matt. 10:15
Matt. 10:15 Truly I say to you⁺, it will be more bearable for the land of Sodom and of Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Ps. 5:4–6
Ps. 5:4–6 4 For You [are] not a God delighting in wickedness; evil shall not sojourn with You. 5 The one boasting shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You will destroy those speaking falsehood; a man of blood and deceit YHWH abhors.
John 8:44
John 8:44 You⁺ are of [your] father the devil, and you⁺ want to do the desires of your⁺ father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and he has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he may speak falsehood, he speaks from [his] own, because he is a liar and the father of it.
Ex. 7:13
Ex. 7:13 And the heart of Pharaoh was strengthened, and he did not listen to them, as YHWH had spoken.
John 12:40
John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not see with the eyes, and understand with the heart, and turn, and I will heal them.”
Rom. 1:28
Rom. 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up to an unfit mind, to do the [things] not being proper;

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling6 shared proof texts · shared topic Canons of Dort · Third and Fourth Head: Rejection of the Errors4 shared proof texts · 7 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 254 shared proof texts · 5 shared topics London Baptist Confession (1689) · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling5 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof4 shared proof texts · 4 shared topics Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 193 shared proof texts · 6 shared topics

London Baptist Confession (1689)

Chapter 4: Of Creation

1. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.

2. After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit unto that life to God, for which they were created; being made after the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfill it; and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.

3. Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.

Scripture proofs

John 1:2–3; Heb. 1:2; Job 26:13.
John 1:2–3 2 This One was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one [thing] came into being that has come into being.
Heb. 1:2 in these last days spoke to us in [His] Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the ages,
Job 26:13 By His breath the heavens were made clear; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent.
Rom. 1:20.
Rom. 1:20 For from the creation of the world His invisible [qualities], both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, for them to be without excuse.
Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:31.
Col. 1:16 because in Him were created all things in the heavens and on the earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or lordships or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Gen. 1:31 And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, [it was] very good! And there was evening and there was morning—the sixth day.
Gen. 1:27.
Gen. 1:27 And God created the man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Gen. 2:7.
Gen. 2:7 And YHWH God formed the man [from] dust of the ground, and He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul.
Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 1:26.
Eccl. 7:29 See, this alone I have found: That God made man upright, and they have sought out many schemes.
Gen. 1:26 And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the bird of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls upon the earth.”
Rom. 2:14–15.
Rom. 2:14–15 14 For when Gentiles, not having the law, may do by nature the things of the law, these not having a law are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also testifying, and the thoughts between one another accusing or also defending [them]
Gen. 3:6.
Gen. 3:6 And the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes and the tree [was] desirable to make one wise. And she took from its fruit and ate, and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.
Gen. 2:17; Gen. 3:8–10.
Gen. 2:17 And from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, from it you shall not eat. For in the day of your eating from it, you shall surely die!”
Gen. 3:8–10 8 And they heard the voice of YHWH God walking about in the garden in the breeze of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the face of YHWH God in the midst of the trees of the garden. 9 And YHWH God called to the man, and He said to him, “Where [are] you?” 10 And he said, “Your voice I heard in the garden, and I was afraid because I am naked, and I hid myself.”
Gen. 1:26, 28.
Gen. 1:26, 28 26 And God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and over the bird of the heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls upon the earth.” 28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. And rule over the fish of the sea and over the bird of the heavens and over every living thing that is crawling upon the earth.”

Parallel passages (6+)

Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 4: Of Creation15 shared proof texts · 3 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 179 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God6 shared proof texts · shared topic Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 205 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 925 shared proof texts · 2 shared topics Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 9: Of Free Will5 shared proof texts · shared topic