The Baptist Catechism

    Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

    Question 1

    What is the chief end of man?

    Man’s chief end is to glorify God,a and to enjoy him for ever.b

    What is the chief end of man?

    Man’s chief end is to glorify God,a and to enjoy him for ever.b

    1. a. 1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 11:36

      1 Corinthians 10:31

      10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

      10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

      Romans 11:36

      11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

      11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Psalm 73:25–28

      Psalm 73:25–28

      73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 73:26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

      73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You. 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 73:27 Those far from You will surely perish; You destroy all who are unfaithful to You. 73:28 But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Related (1)

    Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

    Question 1

    What is the chief and highest end of man?

    Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

    Commentaries (9)

    • Hugh Binning, 1659, The Common Principles of the Christian Religion (2 parts)

      Rom. 11. 36. Of Him, and through Him, and for Him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. And 1 Cor. 10, 31. Whatsoeuer ye do, do all to the glory of God. All that men have to…

      Hugh Binning’s text

    • Joseph Alleine, 1672, A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism

      What is the chief end of man? Mans chief end is to glorifie God, and to enjoy him for ever.

      Joseph Alleine’s text

    • Thomas Lye, 1672, The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions

      What is the chief end of Man? Mans chief end is, to glorifie God, and to enjoy him for ever.

      Thomas Lye’s text

    • Thomas Vincent, 1673, An Explicatory Catechism

      What is the chief end of Man? Mans chief end is to glorifie God, and to enjoy him for ever.

      Thomas Vincent’s text

    • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

      What is the chief end of Man? Mans chief end is to glorifie God, and to enjoy him for ever.

      Its text

    • John Flavel, 1692, An Exposition of the Assembly’s Catechism

      What is the Chief End of Man? Man’s Chief End is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

      John Flavel’s text

    • Thomas Watson, 1692, A Body of Practical Divinity

      Quest. I. What is the chief End of Man? Resp. Man’s chief End is to glorifie God, and enjoy him for ever. Here are two Ends of Life specified, 1. The Glorifying of God. 2. The…

      Thomas Watson’s text

    • Matthew Henry, 1703, A Scripture Catechism

      What is the chief End of Man? Man’s chief End is to glorifie God, and enjoy him for ever.

      Matthew Henry’s text

    • Alexander Whyte, 1883, A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism

      If an assembly of philosophers had been convened at Athens to compose a catechism of religion and morals for the youth of Greece, to a certainty it would have opened with the very…

      Alexander Whyte’s text