Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 46

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God;a and to worship and glorify him accordingly.b

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God;a and to worship and glorify him accordingly.b

  1. a. 1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17

    1 Chronicles 28:9

    28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

    28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

    Deuteronomy 26:17

    26:17 Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice:

    26:17 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes and commandments and ordinances, and listen to His voice.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Matthew 4:10; Psalm 29:2

    Matthew 4:10

    4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

    4:10 "Away from Me, Satan!" Jesus declared. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"

    Psalm 29:2

    29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

    29:2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51

No change, but in spelling and punctuation.

No change, but in spelling and punctuation.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 46

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 46

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51

What is required in the first commandment?

The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 104

What are the duties required in the first commandment?

The duties required in the first commandment are, the knowing and acknowledging of God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly, by thinking, meditating, remembering, highly esteeming, honoring, adoring, choosing, loving, desiring, fearing of him; believing him; trusting, hoping, delighting, rejoicing in him; being zealous for him; calling upon him, giving all praise and thanks, and yielding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man; being careful in all things to please him, and sorrowful when in anything he is offended; and walking humbly with him.

Commentaries (8)

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

    What is required in the first Commandment? The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledg God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorifie him…

    Joseph Alleine’s text
  • Thomas Lye, 1672, The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions

    What is required in the first Commandment? The first Commandment requireth us to know, and acknowledg God, to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorifie him…

    Thomas Lye’s text
  • Thomas Vincent, 1673, An Explicatory Catechism

    What is required in the first Commandment? The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorifie him…

    Thomas Vincent’s text
  • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

    What is required in the first Commandment? The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorifie him…

    Its text
  • Thomas Watson, 1692, A Body of Practical Divinity

    Exod. 20.3. Thou shalt have no other Gods before me, &c. Quest. Why doth the Commandment run in the second Person singular, Thou why doth not God say, You shall have no other…

    Thomas Watson’s text
  • Matthew Henry, 1703, A Scripture Catechism

    What’s requir’d in the First Commandment? The First Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorifie him…

    Matthew Henry’s text
  • Alexander Whyte, 1883, A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism

    This is the first commandment, and it was of the first necessity at the time it was published. For the whole human family having fallen from the knowledge of God and from all…

    Alexander Whyte’s text
  • Benjamin Beddome, 1752, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

    On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 51, which adapts this question

    Is it our duty to know God? Yes. Know thou the God of thy fathers, Should we acknowledge God as our God? Yes. One shall say I am the Lord’s, Should we give up ourselves to the…

    Benjamin Beddome’s text