An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 127

    Section 52: Lord’s Day 52

    Which is the sixth petition?

    “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;”a that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment;b and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil,c the world,d and our own flesh cease not to assault us;e do thou therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy holy spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare;f but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory.g

    1. a. Matthew 6:13

      Matthew 6:13

      6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

      6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Romans 8:26; Psalm 103:14

      Romans 8:26

      8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

      8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

      Psalm 103:14

      103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

      103:14 For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. 1 Peter 5:8

      1 Peter 5:8

      5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

      5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. Ephesians 6:12; John 15:19

      Ephesians 6:12

      6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

      6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

      John 15:19

      15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

      15:19 If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    5. e. Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17

      Romans 7:23

      7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

      7:23 But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.

      Galatians 5:17

      5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

      5:17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    6. f. Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33

      Matthew 26:41

      26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

      26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

      Mark 13:33

      13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

      13:33 Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    7. g. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 5:23

      1 Thessalonians 3:13

      3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

      3:13 so that He may establish your hearts in blamelessness and holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.

      1 Thessalonians 5:23

      5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 150

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 150

    Which What is the sixth Petition?

    “And Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil. That is, since because we our selves, are so feeble and weak in ourselves, by Nature, that we cannot stand a so much as one Moment or Instant, and besides this, since our mortal most deadly Enemies the devil, Satan, the World, and our own Flesh cease not to do incessantly oppugne and assault us, do uphold thou therefore preserve us, and establish and strengthen us by the power might of thy holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare; Combat yield as vanquished, but constantly and strenuously resist our foes, till last obtain a complete may so long stoutly withstand them, until at length we get the full and perfect victory.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 127

    Which is the sixth petition?

    “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;” that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment; and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil, the world, and our own flesh cease not to assault us; do thou therefore preserve and strengthen us by the power of thy holy spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare; but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 150

    What is the sixth Petition?

    Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil. That is, because we our selves, are so feeble and weak by Nature, that we cannot stand so much as one Moment or Instant, and our most deadly Enemies Satan, the World, and our own Flesh do incessantly oppugne and assault us, uphold thou us, and establish and strengthen us by the might of thy Spirit, that we may not in this spiritual Combat yield as vanquished, but may so long stoutly withstand them, until at length we get the full and perfect victory.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      What is the sixt petition? Lead vs not into temptation: but deliuer vs from euil: that is, because wee our selues are so feeble & weak by nature, that wee cannot stand so much as…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      THE ARGVMENT. This Petition is the second parte of the spirituall couenant, which God hath made for the saluation of his church, for we desire in it, that as he hath forgiuen vs…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text