The Covenant and the Fall
Westminster Larger Catechism · Q21–Q29
Q21. Did man continue in that estate wherein God at first created him?
Our first parents being left to the freedom of their own will, through the temptation of Satan, transgressed the commandment of God in eating the forbidden fruit; and thereby fell from the estate of innocency wherein they were created.
Proof texts
- Gen. 3:6-8,13 — [6] So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. [7] Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. [8] And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. [13] Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
- Eccl. 7:29 — [29] See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
- 2 Cor. 11:3 — [3] But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 3:6-8,13 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?
- HC Q3 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 4.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
Q22. Did all mankind fall in that first transgression ?
The covenant being made with Adam as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression.
Proof texts
- Acts 17:26 — [26] And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
- Gen. 2:16-17 — [16] And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, [17] but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
- Rom. 5:12-20 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — [13] for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. [14] Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. [15] But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. [16] And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. [17] For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. [18] Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. [20] Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
- 1 Cor. 15:21-22 — [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Acts 17:26 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 Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXII. QUEST. XXII. Did all mankind fall in that first transgression? ANSW. The covenant being made with Adam, as a public person, not for himself only, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in that first transgression. Having shewn, in the foregoing answer how our first parents sinned and fell, we are now led to consider, how their fall affected all their posterity, whom they represented; and accordingly it is said, that the covenant was made with Adam, as a federal head, not for himself only, but all his posterity; so that they sinned in, and fell with him. But, before we enter more particularly on this…
Q23. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Proof texts
- Rom. 3:23 — [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- Rom. 5:12 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned —
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Rom. 3:23 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI. QUEST. XXIII. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? ANSW. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. QUEST. XXIV. What is sin? ANSW. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. QUEST. XXV. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? ANSW. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created; and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil…
Q24. What is sin?
Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature.
Proof texts
- 1 John 3:4 — [4] Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
- Gal. 3:10,12 — [10] For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” [12] But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 John 3:4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI. QUEST. XXIII. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? ANSW. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. QUEST. XXIV. What is sin? ANSW. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. QUEST. XXV. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? ANSW. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created; and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil…
Q25. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created, and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil, and that continually; which is commonly called Original Sin, and from which do proceed all actual transgressions.
Proof texts
- Rom. 5:12,19 — [12] Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned — [19] For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
- Rom. 3:10-19 — [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” [13] “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” [14] “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” [15] “Their feet are swift to shed blood; [16] in their paths are ruin and misery, [17] and the way of peace they have not known.” [18] “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [19] Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
- Rom. 5:6 — [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
- Rom. 8:7-8 — [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
- Eph. 2:1-3 — [1] And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
- Gen. 6:5 — [5] The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
- Jas. 1:14-15 — [14] But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. [15] Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
- Matt. 15:19 — [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Rom. 5:12,19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI. QUEST. XXIII. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? ANSW. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. QUEST. XXIV. What is sin? ANSW. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. QUEST. XXV. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? ANSW. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created; and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil…
Q26. How is original sin conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity?
Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.
Proof texts
- Ps. 51:5 — [5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
- Job 14:4 — [4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one.
- Job 15:14 — [14] What is man, that he can be pure? Or he who is born of a woman, that he can be righteous?
- John 3:6 — [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Ps. 51:5 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 Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXIII., XXIV., XXV., XXVI. QUEST. XXIII. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind? ANSW. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery. QUEST. XXIV. What is sin? ANSW. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature. QUEST. XXV. Wherein consisteth the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell? ANSW. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consisteth in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of that righteousness wherein he was created; and the corruption of his nature, whereby he is utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite unto all that is spiritually good, and wholly inclined to all evil…
Q27. What misery did the fall bring upon mankind?
The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse; so as we are by nature children of wrath, bond slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come.
Proof texts
- Gen. 3:8,10,24 — [8] And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. [10] And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” [24] He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.
- Eph. 2:2-3 — [2] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience — [3] among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
- 2 Tim. 2:26 — [26] and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
- Gen. 2:17 — [17] but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
- Lam. 3:39 — [39] Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins?
- Rom. 6:23 — [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Matt. 25:41,46 — [41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- Jude 1:7 — [7] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Gen. 3:8,10,24 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXVII. QUEST. XXVII. What misery did the fall bring upon mankind? ANSW. The fall brought upon mankind the loss of communion with God, his displeasure and curse, so as we are, by nature, children of wrath, bond-slaves to Satan, and justly liable to all punishments in this world, and that which is to come. Having considered the doctrine of original sin, as imputed to, and inherent in us, we are now led to speak concerning the miseries that are consequent hereupon, or the punishment that is due to it. And, inasmuch as the former of these is equal in all; and the latter increases, in proportion to that degree of obstinacy, and hardness of heart, which discovers itself in…
Q28. What are the punishments of sin in this world?
The punishments of sin in this world are either inward, as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments; together with death itself.
Proof texts
- Eph. 4:18 — [18] They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
- Rom. 1:28 — [28] And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
- 2 Thess. 2:11 — [11] Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,
- Rom. 2:5 — [5] But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.
- Isa. 33:14 — [14] The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”
- Gen. 4:13 — [13] Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.
- Matt. 27:4 — [4] saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
- Rom. 1:26 — [26] For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
- Gen. 3:17 — [17] And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
- Deut. 28:15-18 — [15] “But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. [16] Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. [17] Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. [18] Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.
- Rom. 6:21,23 — [21] But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. [23] For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 4:18 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 11 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXVIII., XXIX. QUEST. XXVIII. What are the punishments of sin in this world? ANSW. The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments, together with death itself. QUEST. XXIX. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come? ANSW. The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire for…
Q29. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?
The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell fire forever.
Proof texts
- 2 Thess. 1:9 — [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
- Mark 9:43-44,46,48 — [43] And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [48] ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
- Luke 16:24 — [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 2 Thess. 1:9 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 Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XXVIII., XXIX. QUEST. XXVIII. What are the punishments of sin in this world? ANSW. The punishments of sin in this world, are either inward as blindness of mind, a reprobate sense, strong delusions, hardness of heart, horror of conscience, and vile affections; or outward, as the curse of God upon the creatures for our sakes, and all other evils that befall us in our bodies, names, estates, relations, and employments, together with death itself. QUEST. XXIX. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come? ANSW. The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell-fire for…