Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 56

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.a

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.a

  1. a. 1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel 2:17; 1 Samuel 2:22; 1 Samuel 2:24; 1 Samuel 3:13; Deuteronomy 28:58–59

    1 Samuel 2:12

    2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.

    2:12 Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD

    1 Samuel 2:17

    2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

    2:17 Thus the sin of these young men was severe in the sight of the LORD, for they were treating the LORD's offering with contempt.

    1 Samuel 2:22

    2:22 Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

    2:22 Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

    1 Samuel 2:24

    2:24 Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord’s people to transgress.

    2:24 No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD's people.

    1 Samuel 3:13

    3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

    3:13 I told him that I would judge his house forever for the iniquity of which he knows, because his sons blasphemed God and he did not restrain them.

    Deuteronomy 28:58–59

    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; 28:59 Then the Lord will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

    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- 28:59 He will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary disasters, severe and lasting plagues, and terrible and chronic sicknesses.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 61

No change.

No change.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 61

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 56

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 61

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 61

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 56

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 61

What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 114

What reasons are annexed to the third commandment?

The reasons annexed to the third commandment, in these words, The Lord thy God, and, For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain, are, because he is the Lord and our God, therefore his name is not to be profaned, or any way abused by us; especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressors of this commandment, as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment, albeit many such escape the censures and punishments of men.

Commentaries (9)

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

    What is the reason annexed to the third Commandment? The reason annexed to the third Commandment, is, that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men,…

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

    What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment? The reason annexed to the third Commandment is, That however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men,…

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

    What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment? The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is; That however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men;…

    Thomas Vincent’s text
  • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

    What is the reason annexed to the third Commandment? The reason annexed to the third Commandment, is, That however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from man,…

    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 the Reason annexed to the Third Commandment? The Reason annexed to the Third Commandment is, That however the Breakers of this Commandment may escape Punishment from Men,…

    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 61, which adapts this question

    Do the breakers of this commandment often escape punishment from men? Yes. Men hear cursing, and bewray it not, Do such hope to escape the judgments of God? Yes. They belch out…

    Benjamin Beddome’s text