The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q63-81) is The Means of Grace: The Commandments: The Second Table. (see Harmony Index)
WSC Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
“The closer something is to the truth and yet a falsehood, the easier it is to fool the unwary” – D. G. Barnhouse
“Truth will ultimately prevail where there is pain taken to bring it to light.” – George Washington
As we continue our study in the ninth commandment, WSC 77 deals with maintaining and promoting truth in witness bearing. The quotes above give an extra measure of perspective upon the topic.
Again, it is important that we approach this study in prayer that the Lord would give us a love for the truth so that we might perform those things that most please and honor him.
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q77
Illustrations by John Whitecross – #3 of 4: Robert Fleming was a careful observer of that apostolic injunction, ‘Speak evil of no man.’ He once said to an intimate friend in London: ‘I bless God, in fifteen years’ time, I have not given any man’s credit a thrust behind his back; when I have had grounds to speak well of any man, I have done so with faithfulness; but when I have lacked a subject that way, I have kept silence.
John Whitecross – 1828
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WSC Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour’s good name[a], especially in witness bearing[b].
[a] Zech. 8:16; Acts 25:10; III John 12
[b] Prov. 14:5, 25
Question #77 asks what the ninth commandment requires and answers that ninth commandment requires us to tell the truth and to maintain and promote it and our own and others’ reputations, especially when testifying.
Comments and considerations:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). How important is the truth in the Christian’s life? A concordance shows that the word “truth” appears 100 times in the New Testament alone; the two words “the truth” are found together 60 times. Here are some examples: “speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:15), and “we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
The truth is significant in the tapestry of all we are, think, and do; it is central to our standing as covenant-keepers as our fathers point out in the verses associated with this catechism lesson:
These are the things you shall do:
Speak each man the truth to his neighbor;
Give judgment in your gates for truth, justice, and peace (Zech. 8:16).
According to the catechism, 1) the truth is to be maintained and promoted in our relationships, 2) reputations are to be guarded, and 3) all of this is especially important in giving testimony. The apparent focus is on judicial testimony in witness-bearing; we are to uphold justice with our words as we serve a just God (Micah 6:6-8 and Hosea 6:6). We must not hold the truth in abstract. The old playground rhyme says, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” But nothing could be further from the truth; words can do immense damage! During World War II, leaders warned, “Loose lips sink ships;” unguarded talk might give useful information to the enemy and cause irreparable harm. As James writes, the tongue can do both good and evil: “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:10-13). To this we would add further instruction from this catechism’s list of associated verses.
A faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter lies.
A true witness delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies (Prov. 14:4, 25).
There is much involved in maintaining and promoting truth in our several relationships. At a minimum we must not be passive or indifferent about the truth; we must actively promote it if it is to flourish in our midst. We must also guard our own and our neighbor’s good name. In ancient cultures, a name itself reflected the character and reputation of a person. Today, names may not carry such weight, but one’s reputation is still valuable. We must not be cavalier in our treatment of our own or our neighbor’s reputation. Hear what Solomon has to say regarding truth-telling:
These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren (Prov. 6:16-19).
The sinful use of the tongue is mentioned three times in this list of seven sins; lying is on par with murder; and the fostering of disharmony among the brethren is an abomination to the Lord. He finds such sins disgusting, repulsive, and totally offensive. Put another way, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight” (Prov. 12:22).
Training Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
1) Read I Pet. 4:8. How are we to protect the reputation of others? If we love others, how will we handle the negative things we hear about or observe in them?
2) Though we should not jump to conclusions about a person’s intentions, we must also be careful not to ignore wrongdoing. When we see that someone may have committed an offense, how should we respond? See Matt. 18:15-18 and outline in simple terms what course of action is described there.
3) We must protect the reputations of others by being careful with our own speech, and also by not listening to talk that may damage another’s name. How does Prov. 18:8 describe bearing tales about others?
4) When we give information about others, according to I Cor. 13:6 and III John 3-4, what should be our heart attitude?
5) Concerning our own reputation, how do I Pet. 3:15-16 and Matt. 5:14-16 describe how we ought to live before others?
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q77 and WLC 144
WSC Q77. What is required in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The ninth commandment requireth the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbour’s good name[a], especially in witness bearing[b].
[a] Zech. 8:16; Acts 25:10; IIIJohn 12
[b] Prov. 14:5, 25
WLC Q144. What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man[a], and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own[b]; appearing and standing for the truth[c]; and from the heart[d], sincerely[e], freely[f], clearly[g], and fully[h], speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice[i], and in all other things whatsoever[j]; a charitable esteem of our neighbours[k]; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name[l]; sorrowing for[m], and covering of their infirmities[n]; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces[o], defending their innocency[p]; a ready receiving of a good report[q], and unwillingness to admit of an evil report[r], concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers[s], flatterers[t], and slanderers[u]; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth[v]; keeping of lawful promises[w]; studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report[x].
[a] Zech. 8:16
[b] 3John 12
[c] Prov. 31:8-9
[d] Ps. 15:2
[e] 2Chro. 19:9
[f] 1Sam. 19:4-5
[g] Josh. 7:19
[h] 2Sam. 14:18-20
[i] Lev. 19:15; Prov. 14:5, 25
[j] 2Cor. 1:17-18; Eph. 4:25
[k] Heb. 6:9; 1Cor. 13:7
[l] Rom. 1:8; 2John 4; 3John 3-4
[m] 2Cor. 2:4; 12:21
[n] Prov. 17:9; 1Pet. 4:8
[o] 1Cor. 1:4-5, 7; 2Tim. 1:4-5
[p] 1Sam. 22:14
[q] 1Cor. 13:6-7
[r] Ps. 15:3
[s] Prov. 25:23
[t] Prov. 26:24-25
[u] Ps. 101:5
[v] Prov. 22:1; John 8:49
[w] Ps. 15:4
[x] Phil. 4:8
Question(s) for further study:
The Larger Catechisms expands upon the Shorter providing duties required in the ninth commandment. According to the Larger Catechism answer, those duties begin where and flow out of what (Psa. 15:2); in the end calling for what “study and practice?” (Phil 4:8)
