WSC 78
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q78. What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbour's, good name.
Proof texts
- 1 Sam. 17:28 — [28] Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
- Lev. 19:16 — [16] You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD.
- 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;
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 Sam. 17:28 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?
- WLC Q100 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WLC Q145 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?