An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 8

    Section 3: Lord’s Day 3

    Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness?

    Indeed we are;a except we are regenerated by the spirit of God.b

    1. a. Genesis 6:5; Job 14:4; 15:14, 16

      Genesis 6:5

      6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

      6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.

      Job 14:4

      14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

      14:4 Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!

      Job 15:14; Job 15:16

      15:14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? 15:16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

      15:14 What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous? 15:16 how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. John 3:5; Ephesians 2:5

      John 3:5

      3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

      3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

      Ephesians 2:5

      2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

      2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 8

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 8

    Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, not at all apt to do well, and inclined are prone to all wickedness?vice?

    Indeed we are, except we are regenerated by the spirit of God.Holy Ghost.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 8

    Are we then so corrupt that we are wholly incapable of doing any good, and inclined to all wickedness?

    Indeed we are; except we are regenerated by the spirit of God.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 8

    Are we so corrupt that we are not at all apt to do well, and are prone to all vice?

    Indeed we are, except we are regenerated by the Holy Ghost.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (3 parts)

      Are wee so corrupt, that wee are not at all apt to doe well, and are prone to all vice? Indeede wee are: except we be regenerated by the holie Ghost.

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

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

      But are we so corrupt, that we are not at all fit to do well, and are wee prone to all vice? Yea: except we be regenerated by the holie Ghost. The vse The vse and end of this…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text