WLC 112

Q112. What is required in the third commandment?

The third commandment requires, That the name of God, his titles, attributes, ordinances, the word, sacraments, prayer, oaths, vows, lots, his works, and whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known, be holily and reverently used in thought, meditation, word, and writing; by an holy profession, and Answerable conversation, to the glory of God, and the good of ourselves, and others.

Proof texts

• Matt. 6:9 — [9] Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
• Deut. 28:58 — [58] “If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God,
• Ps. 29:2 — [2] Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
• Ps. 68:4 — [4] Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!
• Rev. 15:3-4 — [3] And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! [4] Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
• Mal. 1:14 — [14] Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
• Eccl. 5:1 — [1] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
• Ps. 138:2 — [2] I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
• 1 Cor. 11:24-25,28-29 — [24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [25] In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” [28] Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. [29] For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
• 1 Tim. 2:8 — [8] I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
• Jer. 4:2 — [2] and if you swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”
• Eccl. 5:2,4-6 — [2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. [4] When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. [5] It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. [6] Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
• Acts 1:24,26 — [24] And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen [26] And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
• Job 36:24 — [24] “Remember to extol his work, of which men have sung.
• Mal. 3:16 — [16] Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.
• Ps. 8:1,3-4,9 — [1] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. [3] When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [4] what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? [9] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
• Col. 3:17 — [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• Ps. 105:2,5 — [2] Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! [5] Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
• Ps. 102:18 — [18] Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD:
• 1 Pet. 3:15 — [15] but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
• Mic. 4:5 — [5] For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.
• Phil. 1:27 — [27] Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
• 1 Cor. 10:31 — [31] So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
• Jer. 32:39 — [39] I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.
• 1 Pet. 2:12 — [12] Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Matt. 6:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 25 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q45 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. HC Q92 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q45 · HC Q92