WLC 131
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q131. What are the duties of equals?
The duties of equals are, to regard the dignity and worth of each other, in giving honor to go one before another; and to rejoice in each other's gifts and advancement, as their own.
Proof texts
- 1 Pet. 2:17 — [17] Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
- Rom. 12:10 — [10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
- Rom. 12:15-16 — [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
- Phil. 2:3-4 — [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Pet. 2:17 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q45 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q92 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. CXXIX., CXXX., CXXXI., CXXXII., CXXXIII. QUEST. CXXIX. What is required of superiors towards their inferiors? ANSW. It is required of superiors, according to that power they receive from God, and that relation wherein they stand, to love, pray for, and bless their inferiors; to instruct, counsel, and admonish them; countenancing, commending, and rewarding such as do well; discountenancing, reproving, and chastising such as do ill; protecting, and providing for them all things necessary for soul, and body; and by grave, wise, holy, and exemplary carriage, to procure glory to God, honour to themselves, and so to preserve the authority which God hath put upon them. QUEST. CXXX. What are the sins of superiors? ANSW. The sins of superiors are…