Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 47

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying,^a or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God,^b and our God;^c and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.^d

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbids the denying,^a or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God,^b and our God;^c and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.^d

a. Psalm 14:1
Psalm 14:1
^14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
^14:1 For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
b. Romans 1:21
Romans 1:21
^1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
^1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
c. Psalm 81:10–11
Psalm 81:10–11
^81:10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. ^81:11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
^81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. ^81:11 But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible
d. Romans 1:25–26
Romans 1:25–26
^1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. ^1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
^1:25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. ^1:26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.
King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

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Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 52

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 52

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God and our God, and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to unto him alone.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 47

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 52

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God and our God, and the giving that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 52

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God and our God, and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to unto him alone.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 47

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 52

What is forbidden in the first commandment?

The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God and our God, and the giving that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 105

What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?

The sins forbidden in the first commandment are, atheism, in denying or not having a God; Idolatry, in having or worshiping more gods than one, or any with or instead of the true God; the not having and avouching him for God, and our God; the omission or neglect of anything due to him, required in this commandment; ignorance, forgetfulness, misapprehensions, false opinions, unworthy and wicked thoughts of him; bold and curious searching into his secrets; all profaneness, hatred of God; self-love, self-seeking, and all other inordinate and immoderate setting of our mind, will, or affections upon other things, and taking them off from him in whole or in part; vain credulity, unbelief, heresy, misbelief, distrust, despair, incorrigibleness, and insensibleness under judgments, hardness of heart, pride, presumption, carnal security, tempting of God; using unlawful means, and trusting in lawful means; carnal delights and joys; corrupt, blind, and indiscreet zeal; lukewarmness, and deadness in the things of God; estranging ourselves, and apostatizing from God; praying, or giving any religious worship, to saints, angels, or any other creatures; all compacts and consulting with the devil, and hearkening to his suggestions; making men the lords of our faith and conscience; slighting and despising God and his commands; resisting and grieving of his Spirit, discontent and impatience at his dispensations, charging him foolishly for the evils he inflicts on us; and ascribing the praise of any good we either are, have, or can do, to fortune, idols, ourselves, or any other creature.

Commentaries (8)

Joseph Alleine, 1672, A Most Familiar Explanation of the Assemblies Shorter Catechism
What is forbidden in the first Commandment? The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glofying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that…
Joseph Alleine’s text
Thomas Lye, 1672, The Assemblies Shorter Catechism Drawn out into Distinct Propositions
What is forbidden in the first Commandment? The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping, and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that…
Thomas Lye’s text
Thomas Vincent, 1673, An Explicatory Catechism
What is forbidden in the first Commandment? The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that…
Thomas Vincent’s text
1675, An Explicatory Catechism
What is forbidden in the first Commandment? The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving that…
Its text
Thomas Watson, 1692, A Body of Practical Divinity (2 parts)
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 forbidden in the First Commandment? The First Commandment forbiddeth the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God, as God, and our God, and the giving of…
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 52, which adapts this question
Is it a sin to deny God? Yes. They deny the only Lord God, Is ignorance of God a great sin? Yes. They know not the way of the Lord, Is it a sin to neglect the worship of God? Yes.…
Benjamin Beddome’s text