063. The fifth commandment
QUESTION 63. Which is the Fifth Commandment?
ANSWER:The Fifth Commandment is, Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
QUESTION 64. What is required in the Fifth Commandment?
ANSWER:The Fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
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Q. 1. “Who are meant by father and mother in the Fifth Commandment?”
A. “Not only natural parents, but all superiors in age and gifts; and especially such as, by God’s ordinance, are over us in place of authority, whether in family, church, or commonwealth.” 1
1 Larger Catechism, Quest. 124.
Q. 2. “Why are superiors styled father and mother?”
A. “To teach them in all duties towards their inferiors, like natural parents, to express love and tenderness to them according to their several relations; and to work inferiors to a greater willingness and cheerfulness, in performing their duties to their superiors, as to their parents.” [Ibid.,
Q. 125.]
Q. 3. “What is the general scope of the Fifth Commandment?”
A. It “is the performance of those duties we mutually owe in our several relations.” 2
2 Ibid., Q. 126.
Q. 4. What are the RELATIONS in which we stand to each other?
A. All mankind stand related to each other, either as superiors, inferiors, or equals.
Q. 5. Who are our superiors?
A. All that are above us in office, place, or dignity.
Q. 6. Who are meant by inferiors?
A. Such as are subject to others, or below them in station or gifts.
Q. 7. Whom do you understand by equals?
A. Such as are of like age and condition in the world.
Q. 8. What is the general duty required in this commandment?
A. It is HONOUR: Honour thy father and thy mother.
Q. 9. What is meant by the honour here required?
A. All inward regard and esteem, manifested by outward tokens of respect, Romans 12:10, reverence, chap. 13:7 [Romans 13:7], and obedience, Hebrews 13:17.
Q. 10. What is the rule and measure of that obedience and submission, which is due from inferiors to their superiors?
A. The law of God; for, when any thing is enjoined contrary to it, the fixed rule is, “to obey God rather than men,” Acts 4:19, and Acts 5:29.
Q. 11. What is it that procures honour from one person to another?
A. It is something of eminence, excellency, or worth, that is discernible in them, Acts 10:25.
Q. 12. Are there not different degrees of external honour due to some beyond others?
A. Yes; according to the different office and stations in which God places them in the world, 1 Timothy 5:1-2.
Q. 13. What is that degree of honour which the meanest and lowest part of mankind are entitled to from the greatest and highest?
A. It is to be esteemed and regarded by them, in proportion as they are necessary and useful, Ephesians 6:9.
Q. 14. Why are we commanded to honour all men? 1 Peter 2:17.
A. Because there are few or none, in whom we may not observe some gift or other in which they are superior to us, if we were to judge ourselves humbly and impartially, Php 2:3.
Q. 15. Are men to be honoured according to their riches.
A. No; but according as they employ their riches, in some measure, for the good of others, either in the church or commonwealth, 1 Timothy 6:17-18.
Q. 16. What are the several relations in which duties are mutually to be performed, according to this commandment?
A. They are such as subsist between parents and children; magistrates and subjects; ministers and people; husbands and wives; masters and servants; and likewise between those who have a greater or less degree of gifts and graces.
Q. 17. Who are they that have the first and natural right to honour and respect A. NATURAL PARENTS; fathers and mothers.
Q. 18. Is equal honour and regard due from children to their mother as to their father?
A. Yes, surely; and therefore, to prevent any difference, in respect of esteem, reverence, and obedience, she is named before the father, in Leviticus 19:3 - “Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father.”
Q. 19. What are the duties of parents to their children?
A. To train them up for God, Proverbs 22:6, in the knowledge and profession of the true religion, Deuteronomy 6:7; to teach them by example as well as precept Psalms 101:2-3; to be careful in applying suitable and seasonable correction to their faults, Proverbs 13:24, and Proverbs 19:18, and Proverbs 23:13-14; to provide for them according to their ability, 2 Corinthians 12:14; and to be earnest in prayer to God for a blessing upon them, Genesis 48:15-16.
Q. 20. What are the duties of children to their parents?
A. To love them dearly, Genesis 46:29; to esteem and think highly of them in their minds, Leviticus 19:3; Malachi 1:6; to hearken to their counsels; Proverbs 4:1, and obey their lawful commands, Ephesians 6:1; to submit patiently to their corrections, Hebrews 12:9; and to succour and relieve them in case of poverty and want, Genesis 47:12, especially in old age, Ruth 4:15.
Q. 21. May children dispose of themselves in marriage without the knowledge or consent of their parents?
A. No; as appears from the charge given by Abraham, concerning his son Isaac, Genesis 24:3-4, and that of Isaac to Jacob, chap. 28:1, 2 [Genesis 28:1-2]; but if children should dispose of themselves without the knowledge and consent of their parents, they act contrary to the honour, deference, and gratitude they owe to them, as Esau did, Genesis 26:34-35.
Q. 22. What are the duties of magistrates towards their subjects?
A. To establish good laws, 2 Kings 18:4, and see them impartially executed, Romans 13:3-4; to protect their subjects in their religion, lives, and liberties, 1 Peter 2:14; and to be nursing fathers to the church, Isaiah 49:23.
Q. 23. What is the duty of the magistrate with reference to the church of Christ?
A. Although he “may not assume to himself the administration of word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, yet he hath authority, and it is his duty to take order, that unity and peace be preserved in the church, - that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, - that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, - all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented and reformed, - and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed.” 3
3 Confession of Faith, chapter 23 § 3, with the Scriptures there quoted.
Q. 24. What are the duties of subjects towards their magistrates?
A. To honour and reverence them, 2 Samuel 9:6; to obey their just laws, Ecclesiastes 8:2; to pay them the tribute that is due to them, Romans 13:7; to pray for them, 1 Timothy 2:1, 1 Timothy 2:2; and to support and defend their persons and authority, 1 Samuel 26:15-16; Esther 6:2.
Q. 25. Are subjects bound to be obsequious to the lawful commands of magistrates, who are of a different religion from them?
A. “Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrate’s just and legal authority, nor free the people from their due obedience to him.” 4
4 Confession of Faith, chapter 23 § 4, with the Scriptures quoted to prove this article.
Q. 26. What are the duties of ministers to their people?
A. Diligently to study, 1 Timothy 4:15; and faithfully to preach the gospel, 2 Timothy 4:2; not shunning to declare to them all the counsel of God, Acts 20:27; to evidence their own belief of their doctrine, by a holy and exemplary walk, 1 Timothy 4:12; to watch for their souls as they that must give account, Hebrews 13:17; and to pray much for them, Romans 1:9. All which duties require their ordinary residence among them, 1 Peter 5:2.
Q. 27. What are the duties of people to their ministers?
A. To “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake,” 1 Thessalonians 5:13; to “strive together” in their prayers to God for them, Romans 15:30, that they may be enabled to “give them their portion of meat in due season,” Luke 12:42; to attend diligently upon the ordinances dispensed by them, Hebrews 10:25; to defend their character and doctrine against unjust calumnies and reproaches, 1 Timothy 5:19; and to make a competent and comfortable provision for them, Galatians 6:6.
Q. 28. What are the duties mutually incumbent upon husband and wife.
A. The most tender and affectionate love, on both sides, Ephesians 5:28-33; the strictest fidelity to the marriage-bed and covenant, Matthew 5:28; and the promoting the temporal and spiritual welfare of each other, 1 Timothy 5:8; 1 Peter 3:7.
Q. 29. What are the duties of masters to their servants?
A. To be meek and gentle towards them, forbearing threatening, Ephesians 6:9; to instruct them in the principles of religion, Genesis 18:19; to see to their external observance of the Sabbath, Exodus 20:10; and to pay them punctually their wages, Deuteronomy 24:15.
Q. 30. What are the duties of servants to their masters?
A. To be diligent and faithful in their master’s work, “not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but - with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,” Ephesians 6:6-7; to “obey in all things their masters according to the flesh,” Colossians 3:22; and to “please them well in all things, not answering again,” Titus 2:9.
Q. 31. Are masters and servants on earth, subject to one common Lord and Master in heaven?
A. Yes; and therefore they ought to behave towards one another, as in his sight; for there is “no respect of persons with him,” Ephesians 6:9.
Q. 32. What are the duties of those who have a larger measure of gifts and graces conferred upon them, towards such as have a less share of the same?
A. To be exemplary in humility and self-denial, Genesis 32:10, as having nothing but what they have received, 1 Corinthians 4:7; to be communicative of what the Lord has freely given them, Matthew 10:8; and improve their talents for the benefit of themselves and others, chap. 25:16 [Matthew 25:16].
Q. 33. What are the duties of such as are weaker in gifts and graces, towards those who are stronger?
A. To be followers of them in so far as they are of Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:1; to be willing to learn from their experiences, Hebrews 6:12; and to “covet earnestly the best gifts,” 1 Corinthians 12:31.
Q. 34. What is the duty of the younger towards the aged?
A. To honour and respect them, especially if the hoary head be found in the way of righteousness, Proverbs 16:31; “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man,” Leviticus 19:32.
Q. 35. What are the duties of equals to one another?
A. To provoke each other “unto love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24; to “be kindly affectioned one to another, in honour preferring one another,” Romans 12:10.
Q. 36. What is the fruit and consequence of the conscientious performance of these relative duties?
A. Hereby outward peace and concord will be better maintained between man and man, 1 Peter 3:10-11; and likewise the members of Christ’s body will be knit more closely to one another in love, 1 John 4:7.
QUESTION 65. What is forbidden in the Fifth Commandment?
ANSWER:The Fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of, or doing any thing against, the honour and duty, which belong to every one in their several places and relations.
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Q. 1. What is it to neglect the honour and duty which belong to every one in their several places and relations?
A. It is not only to omit the performance of such relative duties altogether, but even when they are performed, to do them without any regard to the command and authority of God enjoining them, Isaiah 29:13.
Q. 2. What is it to do any thing against the honour and duty which belong to every one?
A. It is to commit those sins which are the very opposite of the relative duties incumbent on us, Romans 2:22.
Q. 3. “What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors?”
A. “Envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections.” 5
5 Larger Catechism, Quest. 128.
Q. 4. “What are the sins of superiors?”
A. “- Commanding things unlawful, or not in the power of inferiors to perform; counselling, encouraging, or favouring them in that which is evil;” and “dissuading, discouraging, or discountenancing them in that which is good - “ 6
6 Ibid., Q. 130.
Q. 5. “What are the sins of equals?”
A. “- Envying the gifts, grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another, and usurping the pre-eminence one over another.” 7
7 Ibid., Q. 132.
Q. 6. What punishment did the law of Moses inflict upon children, for smiting or cursing their parents?
A. DEATH, Exodus 21:15 - “He that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to DEATH.” And verse 17 [Exodus 21:17] - “He that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to DEATH.”
Q. 7. Why was so severe a punishment inflicted for these crimes?
A. Because either beating or cursing of parents is a sin directly opposite to the light and law of nature, and a pregnant evidence, not only of the worst kind of ingratitude, but of incurable disobedience; and therefore the equity of this punishment seems to be approved by our Lord under the New Testament, Matthew 15:4.
QUESTION 66. What is the reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment?
ANSWER:The reason annexed to the Fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God’s glory, and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment.
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Q. 1. Does the promise annexed to this commandment, respect temporal or spiritual good?
A. It respects temporal good, to show that “godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come,” 1 Timothy 4:8.
Q. 2. What is the temporal good here promised?
A. It is long life; in these words, “That thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”
Q. 3. Is it long life merely that is promised, without anything else?
A. No; it is long life and prosperity, or the blessings and comforts of life; without which, long life would be a grievous burden, Revelation 9:6.
Q. 4. Has not this promise a particular reference to obedient children among the Jews, their living long in the land of Judea, which God gave to them?
A. Any reference it had to them, is not exclusive of a reference or relation to children that shall honour their parents, in any other part of the earth, to the end of the world; for so the apostle explains it, Ephesians 6:2-3 - “Honour thy father and thy mother - that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth.”
Q. 5. What is the difference between the promise of long life in this commandment, and the promise of mercy in the second?
A. The promise of showing mercy in the Second Commandment extends to all such as love God, and keep his commandments in general; but the promise of long life here, extends only to the keepers of this commandment in particular.
Q. 6. Has this promise always a literal accomplishment; or, do godly and obedient children always live long on earth?
A. If any of them are removed by death, in their younger years, it is either to take them “away from the evil to come,” Isaiah 57:1; or to transplant them so much sooner “to a better country, that is, a heavenly,” Hebrews 11:16.
Q. 7. What are the things which tend to make a long life a happy and comfortable one?
A. They are these three, among others; growth in grace and holiness, in proportion to our advancing in years, Psalms 92:13-14; retaining the entire exercise of reason, and some vigour of body, in old age, Deuteronomy 34:7; and continuing useful to others, in our generation, to the end, Joshua 24:25, compared with ver. 29 [Joshua 24:29].
Q. 8. Why is the Fifth Commandment called the First Commandment with promise? Ephesians 6:2.
A. Because it is the First Commandment of the second table, and the only commandment in it, that has an express promise annexed to it.
Q. 9. Why is there a special and express promise annexed to this commandment, when it is so strongly enforced by the light of nature?
A. To show the great regard that God has to the lawful authority of parents, Deuteronomy 21:18-22; and to engage children to behave dutifully and obsequiously towards them, Proverbs 4:10.
Q. 10. Is the promise of long life, in this commandment, absolute or limited?
A. It is limited, and that in the most comfortable manner.
Q. 11. What is the comfortable limitation?
A. Long life, with prosperity, is promised as far as it shall serve for God’s glory and their own good.
Q. 12. Could any wish for long life and prosperity upon other terms?
A. No child of God will desire any temporal blessing, but as it is for God’s glory and their good, Proverbs 30:8.
Q. 13. What advantage have the godly, with respect to temporal blessings, above the wicked?
A. They are warranted by promise, which the wicked are not, to expect as many temporal good things, as are needful and necessary for them, Psalms 34:10; Isaiah 33:16; and God’s blessing upon what they enjoy, however small their portion of temporal comforts may be, Psalms 37:16 - “A little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked.”