Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 74

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.a

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.a

  1. a. Genesis 30:30; 1 Timothy 5:8; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 22:1–5; Exodus 23:4–5; Genesis 47:14; Genesis 47:20

    Genesis 30:30

    30:30 For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the Lord hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

    30:30 Indeed, you had very little before my arrival, but now your wealth has increased many times over. The LORD has blessed you wherever I set foot. But now, when may I also provide for my own household?"

    1 Timothy 5:8

    5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

    5:8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

    Leviticus 25:35

    25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.

    25:35 Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.

    Deuteronomy 22:1–5

    22:1 Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. 22:2 And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. 22:3 In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. 22:4 Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

    22:1 If you see your brother's ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. 22:2 If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him. 22:3 And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. 22:4 If you see your brother's donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up. 22:5 A woman must not wear men's clothing, and a man must not wear women's clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.

    Exodus 23:4–5

    23:4 If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

    23:4 If you encounter your enemy's stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. 23:5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

    Genesis 47:14

    47:14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, for the corn which they bought: and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house.

    47:14 Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh's palace.

    Genesis 47:20

    47:20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh’s.

    47:20 So Joseph acquired for Pharaoh all the land in Egypt; the Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields because the famine was so severe upon them. The land became Pharaoh's,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes in The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79

No change.

No change.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), Question 74

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (modernized) (1647), Question 74

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79

What is required in the eighth commandment?

The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others.

Related (1)

Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 141

What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; rendering to everyone his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary lawsuits and suretyship, or other like engagements; and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.

Commentaries (9)

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

    What is required in the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others.

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

    What is required in the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring, and furthering the wealth, and outward estate, of our selves, and others.

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

    What is required in the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves, and others.

    Thomas Vincent’s text
  • 1675, An Explicatory Catechism

    What is required in the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of our selves and others.

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

    Which is the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment is, Thou shalt not steal. What is required in the eighth Commandment? The eighth Commandment requireth the lawful procuring…

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

    EXOD. XX. 15. Thou shalt not Steal. As the Holiness of God sets him against Vncleanness, Thou shalt not commit Adultery, so the Justice of God sets him against Rapine and Robbery,…

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

    What is requir’d in the Eighth Commandment? The Eighth Commandment requires all lawful procuring and furthering our own and our Neighbour’s Wealth and outward Estate.

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

    All questions connected with the sanctity and inviolability of human life are covered by the sixth commandment, and all dangers and duties that arise in connection with the…

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

    On The Baptist Catechism (1695), Question 79, which adapts this question

    Is it lawful for us to seek our own temporal advantage? Yes. And now when shall I provide for my own house, Must we be just to all that we deal with? Yes. Render to all their due,…

    Benjamin Beddome’s text