# “The Ninth Commandment” – The Westminster Larger Catechism (1647) - Link: https://tollelege.net/2025/07/26/the-ninth-commandment-the-westminster-larger-catechism-1647/ - Published: 2025-07-26T10:30:00-05:00 - Author: tollelege “**Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?** The ninth commandment is, ‘_Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor._‘ (**Exod. 20:16**) **Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?** The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, (**Zech. 8:16**) and the good name of our neighbour, as well as our own; (**3 John 12**) appearing and standing for the truth; (**Prov. 31:8–9**) and from the heart, (**Ps. 15:2**) sincerely, (**2 Chron. 19:9**) freely, (**1 Sam. 19:4–5**) clearly, (**Josh. 7:19**) and fully, (**2 Sam. 14:18–20**) speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, (**Lev. 19:15, Prov. 14:5,25**) and in all other things whatsoever; (**2 Cor. 1:17–18, Eph. 4:25**) a charitable esteem of our neighbours; (**Heb. 6:9, 1 Cor. 13:7**) loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; (**Rom 1:8, 2 John 4, 3 John 3–4**) sorrowing for, (**2 Cor. 2:4, 2 Cor. 12:21**) and covering of their infirmities; (**Prov. 17:9, 1 Pet. 4:8**) freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, (**1 Cor. 1: 4–5,7, 2 Tim. 1:4–5**) defending their innocency; (**1 Sam. 22:14**) a ready receiving of a good report, (**1 Cor. 13:6–7**) and unwillingness to admit of an evil report,(** Ps. 15:3**) concerning them; discouraging tale-bearers, (**Prov. 25:23**) flatterers,(** Prov. 26:24–25**) and slanderers; (**Ps. 101:5**) love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requireth; (**Prov. 22:1, John 8:49**) keeping of lawful promises; (**Ps. 15:4**) studying and practicing of whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report. (**Phil. 4:8**) **Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?** The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbours, as well as our own, (**1 Sam. 17:28, 2 Sam. 16:3, 2 Sam. 1:9,10,15–16**) especially in public judicature; (**Lev. 19:15, Hab. 1:4**) giving false evidence, (**Prov. 19:5, Prov. 6:16,19**) suborning false witnesses, (**Acts 6:13**) wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, out-facing and overbearing the truth; (**Jer. 9:3,5, Acts 24:2,5, Ps. 12:3–4, Ps. 52:1–4**) passing unjust sentence, (**Prov. 17:15, 1 Kings 21:9–14,10–11,13**) calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; (**Isa. 5:23**) forgery, (**Ps. 119:69, Luke19: 8, Luke 16:5–7**) concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, (**Lev. 5: 1, Deut. 13:8, Acts 5:3,8–9, 2 Tim. 4:16**) and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, (**1 Kings1:6, Lev. 19:17**) or complaint to others; (**Isa. 59:4**) speaking the truth unseasonably, (**Prov. 29:11**) or maliciously to a wrong end, (**1 Sam. 22:9–10, Ps. 52:1–5**) or perverting it to a wrong meaning, (**Ps. 56:5, John 2:19, Matt. 26:60–61**) or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice; (**Gen. 3:5, Gen. 26:7,9**) speaking untruth, (**Isa. 59:13**) lying, (**Lev. 19:11, Col. 3:9**) slandering, (**Ps. 50: 20**) backbiting, (**James 4:11, Jer. 38:4**) talebearing, (**Lev. 19:16**) whispering,( Rom. 1:29–30) scoffing, (**Gen. 21:9, Gal. 4:29**) reviling, (**1 Cor. 6:10**) rash,(** Matt. 7:1**) harsh, (**Acts 28:4**) and partial censuring; (**Gen. 38:24, Rom. 2: 1**) misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; (**Neh. 6:6–8, Rom. 3:8, Ps. 69:10, 1 Sam. 1:13–15, 2 Sam. 10:3**) flattering, (**Ps. 12:2–3**) vain-glorious boasting; (**2 Tim. 3:2**) thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; (**Luke 18:9,11, Rom. 12:16, 1 Cor. 4:6, Acts 12:22, Exod. 4:10–14**) denying the gifts and graces of God; (**Job 27:5,6, Job 4:6**) aggravating smaller faults; (**Matt. 7:3–5**) hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; (**Prov. 28:13, Prov. 30:20, Gen. 3:12–13, Jer. 2:35, 2 Kings 5:25, Gen. 4:9**) unnecessary discovering of infirmities; (**Gen. 9:22, Prov. 25: 9–10**) raising false rumors, (**Exod. 23:1**) receiving and countenancing evil reports, (**Prov. 29:12**) and stopping our ears against just defense; (**Acts 7: 56–57, Job 31:13–14**) evil suspicion; (**1 Cor. 13:5, 1 Tim. 6:4**) envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, (**Numb. 11:29, Matt. 21:15**) endeavoring or desiring to impair it, (**Ezra 4:12–13**) rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy;(** Jer. 48:27**) scornful contempt, (**Ps. 35:15–16,21, Matt. 27:28–29**) fond admiration;(** Jude 16, Acts 12:22**) breach of lawful promises; (**Rom. 1:31, 2 Tim. 3:3**) neglecting such things as are of good report, (**1 Sam. 2:24**) and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name. (**2 Sam. 13:12–13**)” —[_The Westminster Larger Catechism (1647)_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433579871?tag=toletaupanre-20), as cited in [_Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms: A Reader’s Edition_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433579871?tag=toletaupanre-20), ed. Chad Van Dixhoorn (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2022), 386-388. More on [Law](https://tollelege.net/category/law/)