LORD’S DAY 40

Q. 105.  What doth God require in the sixth commandment?

A. That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another;1 but that I lay aside all desire of revenge;2 also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger.3 Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword to prevent murder.4 That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another;1 but that I lay aside all desire of revenge;2 also, that I hurt not myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger.3 Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword to prevent murder.4

  1. Mat. 5:21, 22. Prov. 12:18. Mat. 26:52.
  2. Eph. 4:26. Rom. 12:19. Mat. 5:39, 40.
  3. Mat. 4:5-7. Col. 2:23.
  4. Gen. 9:6. Mat. 26:52. Rom. 13:4.

Q. 106.  But this commandment seems only to speak of murder?

A. In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge;1 and that He accounts all these as murder.2 In forbidding murder, God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge;1 and that He accounts all these as murder.2

  1. James 1:20. Gal. 5:20. Rom. 1:29. 1 John 2:9.
  2. 1 John 3:15.

Q. 107.  But is it enough that we do not kill any man in the manner mentioned above?

A. No; for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves;1 to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness towards him,2 and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies;3 and that we do good, even to our enemies. 4 No; for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, He commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves;1 to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness towards him,2 and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies;3 and that we do good, even to our enemies. 4

  1. Mat. 22:39. Mat. 7:12.
  2. Rom. 12:10. Eph. 4:2. Gal. 6:1, 2. Mat. 5:5. Rom. 12:18. Ex. 23:5.
  3. Mat. 5:45.
  4. Rom. 12:20.

LORD’S DAY 40

Murder

1. What is the sixth commandment?

“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17.

2. What does God forbid in the sixth commandment?

That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonor, hate, wound, or kill my neighbor, by myself or by another. Proverbs 12:18; Matthew 5:21, 22.

3. Does the sixth commandment apply to my treatment of myself also?

Yes, I may not hurt myself, nor willfully expose myself to any danger.

4. To whom does God give authority to prevent murder?

The magistrate is armed with the sword to prevent murder. Romans 13:4.

5. Does the sixth commandment speak only of murder?

In forbidding murder God teaches us that He abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, strife, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge; and that He accounts all these as murder. Galatians 5:20, 21; James 1:20; I John 3:15.

6. But is it enough that we do not murder any man?

No, for when God forbids these sinful desires, He commands us positively to love our neighbor as ourselves. Matthew 7:12; 22:39.

7. How do we show love for our neighbor?

By showing patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness towards our neighbor, preventing his hurt as much as in us lies, and doing good even to our enemies. Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:2; Matthew 5:44, 45.