Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 54

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God’s names,a titles,b attributes,c ordinances,d Word,e and works.f

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverend use of God’s names,a titles,b attributes,c ordinances,d Word,e and works.f

  1. a. Matthew 6:9; Deuteronomy 28:58

    Matthew 6:9

    6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

    6:9 So then, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

    Deuteronomy 28:58

    28:58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE Lord THY GOD;

    28:58 If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name-the LORD your God-

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Psalm 68:4

    Psalm 68:4

    68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him.

    68:4 Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds-His name is the LORD-and rejoice before Him.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Revelation 15:3–4

    Revelation 15:3–4

    15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

    15:3 and they sang the song of God's servant Moses and of the Lamb: "Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations! 15:4 Who will not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Malachi 1:11; Malachi 1:14

    Malachi 1:11

    1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

    1:11 For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations," says the LORD of Hosts.

    Malachi 1:14

    1:14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.

    1:14 "But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King," says the LORD of Hosts, "and My name is to be feared among the nations.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Psalm 138:1–2

    Psalm 138:1–2

    138:1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

    138:1 Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 138:2 I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. Job 36:24

    Job 36:24

    36:24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

    36:24 Remember to magnify His work, which men have praised in song.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 54

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverend reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 54

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverend use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word and works.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 112

What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing; by an holy profession, and Answerable conversation, to the glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others.

Commentaries (9)

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

    Which is the third Commandment? The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of Gods Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word, and Works.

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

    What is required in the third Commandment? The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of Gods Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word and works.

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

    What is required in the third Commandement? The third Commandement requireth, the holy, and reverent use of God’s Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word and Works.

    Thomas Vincent’s text
  • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

    What is required in the third Commandment? The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverend use of Gods Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word, and Works.

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

    Which is the third Commandment? The third Commandment is, Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his Name…

    John Flavel’s text
  • Thomas Watson, 1692, A Body of Practical Divinity

    Exod. 20.7. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, &c. This Commandment has Two Parts; First, A Negative expressed,…

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

    What is requir’d in the Third Commandment? The Third Commandment requires a Holy and Reverent Use of God’s Names, Titles, Attributes, Ordinances, Word and Works.

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

    Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain—The first commandment teaches us that Jehovah is God alone: He has no equal and no rival. The second commandment goes on…

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

    On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 59, which adapts this question

    Should we make profession of God’s name? Yes. O Lord, we are called by thy name, Should we use the name of God in prayer? Yes. I will call on the name of the Lord, Should we give…

    Benjamin Beddome’s text