Question 11

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Section 1: Introduction

Is not God therefore merciful?

Yea, Verily he isa merciful; but so, that he is alsob just: wherefore his Justice requireth that the same which is committed against the divine Majesty of God, should also be recompenced with extream, that is, everlasting Punishment both in Body and Soul.

Is not God therefore merciful?

Yea, Verily he isa merciful; but so, that he is alsob just: wherefore his Justice requires that the same which is committed against the divine Majesty of God, should also be recompensed with extreme, that is, everlasting Punishment both in Body and Soul.

  1. a. Exodus 34:6; Psalm 5:4–6

    Exodus 34:6

    34:6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

    34:6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: "The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

    Psalm 5:4–6

    5:4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 5:6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

    5:4 For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You. 5:5 The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity. 5:6 You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Exodus 20:5; 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Exodus 20:5

    20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

    20:5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

    2 Corinthians 6:14

    6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

    6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Diff style

Changes from Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 11

Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 11

Is not God then also therefore merciful?

God Yea, Verily he is indeed merciful; but so, that he is also just: therefore wherefore his Justice requireth that sin, the same which is committed against the most high divine Majesty of God, be punished should also be recompenced with extream, that is, with everlasting Punishment both of in Body and Soul.

Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 11

Is not God then also merciful?

God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore his justice requires, that sin, which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment, both of body and soul.

An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 11

Is not God therefore merciful?

Yea, Verily he is merciful; but so, that he is also just: wherefore his Justice requireth that the same which is committed against the divine Majesty of God, should also be recompenced with extream, that is, everlasting Punishment both in Body and Soul.

Commentaries (3)