HC 109
Heidelberg Catechism
Q109. Does God in this commandment forbid nothing more than adultery and similar shameful sins?
Since we, body and soul, are temples of the Holy Spirit, it is God's will that we keep ourselves pure and holy. Therefore He forbids all unchaste acts, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever may entice us to unchastity.
Proof texts
- Matt. 5:27-29 — [27] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ [28] But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
- 1 Cor. 6:18-20 — [18] Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. [19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
- Eph. 5:3-4 — [3] But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. [4] Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
- 1 Cor. 15:33 — [33] Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
- Eph. 5:18 — [18] And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 5:27-29 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q39 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q45 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q39 · WSC Q45 · WLC Q91 · WLC Q100 · WCF 19.1 · 1689 19.1