Heidelberg Catechism: 'What does God require in the sixth commandment?'
LORD’S DAY 40
105. What does God require in the sixth commandment?That I neither in thought, nor in word or look, much less in deed, revile, hate, insult or kill my neighbor, whether by myself or by another;1 but lay aside all desire of revenge;2 moreover, that I harm not myself,3 nor wilfully run into any danger. Wherefore also, to restrain murder, the magistrate is armed with the sword.4
1 Gen 9:6; Lev 19:17-18; Mt 5:21-22; 26:52; 2 Prov 25:21-22; Mt 18:35; Rom 12:19; Eph 4:26; 3 Mt 4:7; 26:52; Rom 13:11-14; 4 Gen 9:6; Ex 21:14; Rom 13:4
106. But does this commandment only speak of killing?
In forbidding this, however, God means to teach us that He abhors the root of murder, namely, envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge;1 and that all these are in His sight hidden murder.2
1 Prov 14:30; Rom 1:29; 12:19; Gal 5:19-21; Jas 1:20; 1 Jn 2:9-11; 2 1 Jn 3:15
107. Is it then enough that we do not kill our neighbor in any such way?
No: for in condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves,1 to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy and kindness towards him,2 and, so far as we have power, to prevent his hurt; also to do good even unto our enemies.3
1 Mt 7:12; 22:39; Rom 12:10; 2 Mt 5:5; Lk 6:36; Rom 12:10, 18; Gal 6:1-2; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 1 Pt 3:8; 3 Ex 23:4-5; Mt 5:44-45; Rom 12:20
