Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
Section 40: Lord’s Day 40
Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus
Section 40: Lord’s Day 40
What doth God require in the sixth command?
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;a but that I lay aside all desire of revenge:b also, that I hurt not myself, nor wilfully expose myself to any danger:c wherefore also the magistrate is armed with the sword, to prevent murder.d
a. Matthew 5:21–22; Proverbs 12:18; Matthew 26:52
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b. Ephesians 4:26; Romans 12:19; Matthew 5:39–40
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c. Matthew 4:5–7; Colossians 2:23
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d. Genesis 9:6; Matthew 26:52; Romans 13:4
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But this command seems only to speak of murder?
In forbidding murder, God teaches us that he abhors the causes thereof; such as envy,a hatred, anger, and desire of revenge;b and that he accounts all these as murder.c
a. James 1:20; Galatians 5:20
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b. Romans 1:29; 1 John 2:9
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c. 1 John 3:15
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But is it enough that we don’t kill any man in the manner mentioned above?
No: for when God forbids envy, hatred, and anger, he commands us to love our neighbour as ourselves;a to show patience,b peace, meekness,c mercy, and all kindness, towards him;d and prevent his hurt as much as in us lies:e and that we do good, even to our enemies.f
a. Matthew 22:39; 7:12
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b. Romans 12:10
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c. Ephesians 4:2; Galatians 6:1–2; Matthew 5:5; Romans 12:18
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d. Exodus 23
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e. Matthew 5:45
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f. Romans 12:20
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