Heidelburg Catechism

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Question 105: What does God require in the sixth commandment?

Answer: That neither in thoughts, nor words, nor gestures, much less in deeds, I dishonour, hate, wound, or kill my neighbour, by myself or by another: but that I lay aside all desire of revenge: also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger. Wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.

• a: Matthew 5:21, Matthew 5:22, Matthew 26:52, Genesis 9:6

• b: Ephesians 4:26, Romans 12:19, Matthew 5:25, Matthew 18:35

• c: Romans 13:14, Colossians 2:23, Matthew 4:7

• d: Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:14, Matthew 26:52, Romans 13:4

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

Answer: In forbidding murder, God teaches us, that he abhors the causes thereof, such as envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge; and that he accounts all these as murder.

• a: Proverbs 14:30, Romans 1:29

• b: 1 John 2:9, 1 John 2:11

• c: James 1:20, Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:20, Galatians 5:21

• d: 1 John 3:15

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

Answer: No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves; to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and all kindness, towards him, and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies; and that we do good, even to our enemies.

• c: Exodus 23:5

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