The Westminster Larger Catechism

Questions 122—133: On the Sixth Commandment

Q. 134. Which is the sixth commandment?

A. The sixth commandment is, Thou shalt not kill^a.

^a Exod. 20:13 

Q. 135. What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?

A. The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavours, to preserve the life of ourselves^a and others^b by resisting all thoughts and purposes^c, subduing all passions^d, and avoiding all occasions^e, temptations^f, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any^g; by just defence thereof against violence^h, patient bearing of the hand of Godⁱ, quietness of mind^k, cheerfulness of spirit^l; a sober use of meat^m, drinkⁿ, physick^o, sleep^p, labour^q, and recreations^r; by charitable thoughts^s, love^t, compassion^u, meekness, gentleness, kindness^x; peaceable^y, mild and courteous speeches and behaviour^z; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil^a; a comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent^b.

^a Eph. 5:28,29 ^b 1 Kings 18:4 ^c Jer. 26:15,16; Acts 23:12,16,17,21,27 ^d Eph. 4:26,27 ^e 2 Sam. 2:22; Deut. 22:8 ^f Matt. 4:6,7; Prov. 1:10,11,15,16 ^g 1 Sam. 24:12; 1 Sam. 26:9-11; Gen. 37:21,22 ^h Ps. 82:4; Prov. 24:11,12; 1 Sam. 14:45 ⁱ James 5:7-11; Heb. 12:9 ^k 1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Pet. 3:3,4; Ps. 37~:8-11 ^l Prov. 17:22 ^m Prov. 25:16,27 ⁿ 1 Tim. 5:23 ^o Isa. 38:21 ^p Ps. 127:2 ^q Eccl. 5:12; 2 Thess. 3:10,12; Prov. 16:26 ^r Eccl. 3:4 ^s 1 Sam. 19:4,5; 1 Sam. 22:13,14 ^t Rom. 13:10 ^u Luke 10:33,34 ^x Col. 3:12,13 ^y James 3:17 ^z 1 Pet. 3:8-11; Prov. 15:1; Judges 8:1-3 ^a Matt. 5:24; Eph. 4:2,32; Rom. 12:17,20,21 ^b 1 Thess. 5:14; Job 31:19,20; Matt. 25:35,36; Prov. 31:8,9

Q. 136. What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves^a, or of others^b, except in case of publick justice^c, lawful war^d, or necessary defence^e; the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life^f; sinful anger^g, hatred^h, envyⁱ, desire of revenge^k; all excessive passions^l, distracting cares^m; immoderate use of meat, drinkⁿ, labour^o, and recreations^p; provoking words^q, oppression^r, quarrelling^s, striking, wounding^t, and whatsoever else tends to the destruction of the life of any^u.

^a Acts 16:28 ^b Gen. 9:6 ^c Num. 35:31,33 ^d Jer. 48:10; Deut 20 ^e Exod. 22:2,3 ^f Matt. 25:42,43; James 2:15,16; Eccl. 6:1,2 ^g Matt. 5:22 ^h 1 John 3:15; Lev. 19:17 ⁱ Prov. 14:30 ^k Rom. 12:19 ^l Eph. 4:31 ^m Matt. 6:31,34 ⁿ Luke 21:34; Rom. 13:13 ^o Eccl. 12:12; Eccl. 2:22,23 ^p Isa. 5:12 ^q Prov. 15:1; Prov. 12:18 ^r Ezek. 18:18; Exod. 1:14 ^s Gal. 5:15; Prov. 23:29 ^t Num. 35:16-18,21 ^u Exod. 21:18-36