Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 4

How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majestya and purity;b by the consent of all the parts,c and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God;d by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation:e but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God.f

How does it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majestya and purity;b by the consent of all the parts,c and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God;d by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation:e but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God.f

  1. a. Hosea 8:12; 1 Corinthians 2:6–7, 13; Psalm 119:18, 129

    Hosea 8:12

    8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

    8:12 Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.

    1 Corinthians 2:6–7; 1 Corinthians 2:13

    2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

    2:6 Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom-but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 2:7 No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. 2:13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

    Psalm 119:18; Psalm 119:129

    119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 119:129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

    119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law. 119:129 Wonderful are Your testimonies; therefore I obey them.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Psalms 12:6; 119:140

    Psalm 12:6

    12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

    12:6 The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.

    Psalm 119:140

    119:140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

    119:140 Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Acts 10:43; 26:22

    Acts 10:43

    10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

    10:43 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name."

    Acts 26:22

    26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

    26:22 But I have had God's help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen:

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Romans 3:19, 27

    Romans 3:19; Romans 3:27

    3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

    3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Acts 18:28; Hebrews 4:12; James 1:18; Psalm 19:7–9; Romans 15:4; Acts 20:32

    Acts 18:28

    18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

    18:28 For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

    Hebrews 4:12

    4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

    James 1:18

    1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

    1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

    Psalm 19:7–9

    19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

    19:7 The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

    Romans 15:4

    15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

    15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

    Acts 20:32

    20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

    20:32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. John 16:13–14; 1 John 2:20, 27; John 20:31

    John 16:13–14

    16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

    16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come. 16:14 He will glorify Me by taking from what is Mine and disclosing it to you.

    1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27

    2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

    2:20 You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 2:27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

    John 20:31

    20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

    20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (1)

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 2

What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Commentaries (9)