The Doctrinal Heading for this section
of questions (Q63-81) is The Means of
Grace: The Commandments: The Second Table. (see Harmony Index)
In this section of the catechism, each commandment is stated and
expanded upon, through its requirements, prohibitions, and sometimes,
additional instruction. A good example of this is our current study of the
fifth commandment: “Honor thy father and thy mother.” From Scripture we see
that this commandment has implications for our relationship with other types of
authorities as well. How we relate to one another is highly important to our
God. The Apostle Paul, after providing a wonderful doctrinal treatise in the
first half of Ephesians, begins the second half with the exhortation to “walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and
meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love,” working to
maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” going on to show how
this is to be done in all our various relationships (Eph. 4:1-3 cp. 4:11-6:9).
To further illustrate, even in the midst of persecution, in I Timothy 2, Paul
exhorts that prayers be offered for all men, especially for kings and rulers in
high places.
How we relate to others in the
“several places and relations” in which God has put us is extremely important.
And, discerning the application derived from the principles of the Law-Word of
God will inform us as to what is required in “preserving the honor, and
performing the duties, belonging to everyone” who is “called into the one hope
of [our] calling.” (Eph. 4:4) May our prayer once again be that God gives us
the grace to embrace with a glad heart and joyful obedience all that he has
commanded.
*************************************************************
WSC Q64. What is required in the fifth
commandment?
A.
The fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing
the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as
superiors, inferiors, or equals[a].
[a] Rom. 13:1, 7; Eph. 5:21-22, 24; 6:1, 4-5, 9; I Pet. 2:17
Question 64 asks what the fifth
commandment requires, and answers that the fifth commandment requires us to
respect and treat others, whether above, below, or equal to us, as their
position or our relationship to them demands.
Comments and considerations:
What if you had access to the smartest man in the world, someone
who was both wise and willing to share his vast knowledge in an understandable
way for your guaranteed benefit? Your reaction to that possibility would
probably run along one of three typical tracks: 1) serious skepticism and
denial, 2) ambivalent doubt and indifference, or 3) curious anticipation and
inquiry. The reason for the varied responses is the knowledge that whatever the
offer, responding to it involves personal investment and trust. By our very
nature, affected by the fall of Adam, we are self-centered creatures who fear
exposure (Rom. 1:18). We are “bent” (as C.S. Lewis put it) on self-preservation
even when it may be to our own hurt. Thus our first parents hid themselves from
their first parent, their life-given Heavenly Father. That is why it is so hard
for us to give anyone else first place over ourselves. As was said in the
previous lesson, the fifth commandment lays the foundational first principle in
our horizontal relationships. And so we have outlined here that which is
required in “the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to
everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or
equals.” We are to give deference to others, putting others first (Matt.
20:28).
But back to my beginning point: What if we had access to the
smartest and wisest man, the one with the answers to all our dilemmas? The
answer should be obvious, because the “what if” answer is in fact a reality
in that we have in fact the very word of God, and God Himself “who has
given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the
knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (II Pet. 1:3). What if we
simply listened to him and did what he said? If we were doers of the word, and
not hearers only (James 1:22), what might be the results?
First of all consider these phrases: preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone
in their several places and relations. How refreshing it would be to see
real-time respect and the preserving of the honor of others on the world stage
today! How different this world would be if each person fulfilled personal
obligations and commitments in meaningful ways! Wouldn’t that be novel in this world
of near constant rancor, disrespect, and personal attacks and defamation of
character? And notice how our catechism frames this in our 360 degree
relationships of superiors, inferiors, or equals.
As always it is instructive to note
the Scriptures our fathers referenced in these catechism lessons. Of particular
note here is I Pet. 2:17. First, note how chapter 2 opens:
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy,
and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that
you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Next, Peter speaks to the dynamic
of the Body of Christ:
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but
chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a
spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable
to God through Jesus Christ.
And then in verses 16-17:
...as free, yet not using
liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.
Honor all people. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Again, what if we simply listened
to him and did what he said? How different might things be? We know the reason
for our stumbling; our sin and sinful nature are great (Rom. 7). But greater
yet is our Savior, our redeemer King. By his grace, his redeeming and enabling
power (Rom. 8:4), we can be doers of the word, and not hearers only and fulfill
the law’s requirement in preserving the honor, and performing the duties,
belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors,
inferiors, or equals.
Training
Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
1.
Read Prov. 6:20-23. What
straightforward lessons does this wisdom passage teach? What does it command?
What are parents’ several duties and responsibilities within the context of
this instruction, and what are a child’s?
2.
This commandment is repeated in the
NT in Eph. 6:1. (Please read it.) Is it enough simply to know what parents want
us to do? If we know what they want, what should we do?
3.
The question above would seem
obvious, but we do not always honor our parents as we should. What do Prov.
12:1 and Prov. 13:1 say about this?
4.
When a child becomes an adult, does
the command to honor his parents cease? See Prov. 23:22 and Lev. 19:3.
5.
What should our attitude be toward
our parents and those in authority as they grow older? See Lev. 19:32 and I
Pet. 5:5.
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q64,
WLC Q126 and 127
WSC Q.64. What is required in the fifth
commandment?
A. The
fifth commandment requireth the preserving the honor, and performing the
duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as
superiors, inferiors, or equals[a].
[a] Rom. 13:1, 7; Eph. 5:21-22, 24; 6:1, 4-5, 9;
IPet. 2:17
WLC Q126. What is the general scope of the
fifth commandment?
A. The
general scope of the fifth commandment is, the performance of those duties
which we mutually owe in our several relations, as inferiors, superiors, or
equals[a].
[a] Eph. 5:21; 1Pet. 2:17; Rom. 12:10
WLC Q127. What is the honour that inferiors owe
to their superiors?
A. The
honour which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in
heart[a], word[b], and behavior[c]; prayer and thanksgiving for them[d];
imitation of their virtues and graces[e]; willing obedience to their lawful
commands and counsels[f]; due submission to their corrections[g]; fidelity
to[h], defense[i], and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to
their several ranks, and the nature of their places[j]; bearing with their
infirmities, and covering them in love[k], that so they may be an honour to
them and to their government[l].
[a] Mal.1:6;
Lev. 19:3
[b] Prov.
31:28; 1Pet.3:6
[c] Lev.
19:32; 1Kng. 2:19
[d] 1Tim.
2:1-2
[e] Heb.
13:7; Phil. 3:17
[f] Eph.
6:1-2, 5-7; 1Pet. 2:13-14; Rom.13:1-5; Heb.13:17; Prov. 4:3-4; 23:22; Exod.
18:19, 24
[g] Heb.
12:9; 1Pet. 2:18-20
[h] Tit.
2:9-10
[i] 1Sam.
26:15-16; 2Sam. 18:3; Esth. 6:2
[j] Mat.
22:21; Rom. 13:6-7; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Gal. 6:6; Gen. 45:11; 47:12
[k] 1Pet.
2:18; Prov. 23:22; Gen. 9:23
[l] Ps.
127:3-5; Prov. 31:23
Question(s) for further study:
What
key word does the Larger Catechism use to expand our consideration in this instruction?
How many points do our father’s make in
presenting the scope to which we owe honor to those in authority?
