WLC 144

Q144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Proof texts

• Zech. 8:16 — [16] These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;
• 3 John 1:12 — [12] Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.
• Prov. 31:8-9 — [8] Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
• Ps. 15:2 — [2] He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart;
• 2 Chr. 19:9 — [9] And he charged them: “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, in faithfulness, and with your whole heart:
• 1 Sam. 19:4-5 — [4] And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. [5] For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?”
• Josh. 7:19 — [19] Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
• 2 Sam. 14:18-20 — [18] Then the king answered the woman, “Do not hide from me anything I ask you.” And the woman said, “Let my lord the king speak.” [19] The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered and said, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, one cannot turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has said. It was your servant Joab who commanded me; it was he who put all these words in the mouth of your servant. [20] In order to change the course of things your servant Joab did this. But my lord has wisdom like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all things that are on the earth.”
• Lev. 19:15 — [15] “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
• Prov. 14:5,25 — [5] A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. [25] A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
• 2 Cor. 1:17-18 — [17] Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? [18] As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No.
• Eph. 4:25 — [25] Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
• Heb. 6:9 — [9] Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things — things that belong to salvation.
• 1 Cor. 13:7 — [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
• Rom. 1:8 — [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.
• 2 John 1:4 — [4] I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father.
• 3 John 1:3-4 — [3] For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
• 2 Cor. 2:4 — [4] For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.
• 2 Cor. 12:21 — [21] I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
• Prov. 17:9 — [9] Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
• 1 Pet. 4:8 — [8] Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
• 1 Cor. 1:4-5,7 — [4] I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, [5] that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge — [7] so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
• 2 Tim. 1:4-5 — [4] As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. [5] I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
• 1 Sam. 22:14 — [14] Then Ahimelech answered the king, “And who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king's son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house?
• 1 Cor. 13:6-7 — [6] it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. [7] Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
• Ps. 15:3 — [3] who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
• Prov. 25:23 — [23] The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.
• Prov. 26:24-25 — [24] Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; [25] when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
• Ps. 101:5 — [5] Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
• Prov. 22:1 — [1] A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
• John 8:49 — [49] Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.
• Ps. 15:4 — [4] in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
• Phil. 4:8 — [8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Zech. 8:16 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 33 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