WSC 42
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q42. What is the sum of the ten commandments?
The sum of the ten commandments is, To love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbour as ourselves.
Proof texts
- Matt. 22:37-40 — [37] And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. [38] This is the great and first commandment. [39] And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. [40] On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 22:37-40 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WLC Q91 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q102 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- The Assembly divided over this: Justification and the Antinomian Crisis. How do you secure sola fide without letting the law fall away? What turns on the answer?