Holding forth the Word of Life
— Philippians 2:16a (KJV)
Lord’s Day 40
Q105: What does God require in the sixth commandment?
I am not to dishonour, hate, injure,
or kill my neighbour by thoughts, words, or gestures, and much less by deeds, whether personally or through another;1
rather, I am to put away
all desire of revenge.2
Moreover, I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself.3
Therefore, also, the government bears the sword
to prevent murder.4
Scripture References (hover over or tap to see verses)
- Genesis 9:6; Leviticus 19:17, 18; Matthew 5:21, 22; Matthew 26:52
- Proverbs 25:21, 22; Matthew 18:35; Romans 12:19; Ephesians 4:26
- Matthew 4:7; Romans 13:11-14
- Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:14; Matthew 26:52; Romans 13:4
Q106: But does this commandment speak only of killing?
By forbidding murder God teaches us
that he hates the root of murder,
such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge,1
and that he regards all these as murder.2
Scripture References (hover over or tap to see verses)
- Proverbs 14:30; Romans 1:29; Romans 12:19; Galatians 5:19-21; James 1:20; 1 John 2:9-11
- 1 John 3:15
Q107: Is it enough, then, that we do not kill our neighbour in any such way?
No.
When God condemns envy, hatred, and anger,
he commands us
to love our neighbour as ourselves,1 to show patience, peace, gentleness,
mercy, and friendliness toward him,2
to protect him from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies.3
Scripture References (hover over or tap to see verses)
- Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39; Romans 12:10
- Matthew 5:5; Luke 6:36; Romans 12:10, 18; Galatians 6:1, 2; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8
- Exodus 23:4, 5; Matthew 5:44, 45; Romans 12:20
FERC