WLC 1
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q1. What is the chief and highest end of man?
Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.
Proof texts
- Rom. 11:36 — [36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
- 1 Cor. 10:31 — [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
- Ps. 73:24-28 — [24] You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. [25] Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. [26] My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [27] For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [28] But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Rom. 11:36 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q2 · WSC Q3 · HC Q1 · HC Q2 · BC 1.1 · BC 1.2 · BC 1.3 · BC 1.4 · BC 1.5 · BC 1.6 · BC 1.7
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. I. QUEST. I. What is the chief and highest end of man? ANSW. Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him for ever. 1. It is supposed, in this answer, that every intelligent creature, acting as such, designs some end, which excites endeavours to attain it. 2. The ends for which we act, if warrantable, may be considered as to their degree of excellency, and, in proportion to it, are to be pursued by proper means conducing thereto. 3. There is one that may be termed the chief and highest end, as having an excellency and tendency to make us blessed above all others: this consists, as it is observed in this answer…