The Westminster Larger Catechism on the Eighth Commandment

12/15/2022 pilgrim stranger Creeds and Confessions
Eighth Commandment

Q. 140. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.1

  1. Exod. 20:15

Q. 141. What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man;1 rendering to everyone his due;2 restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof;3 giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others;4 moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections concerning worldly goods;5 a provident care and study to get,6 keep, use, and dispose these things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition;7 a lawful calling,8 and diligence in it;9 frugality;10 avoiding unnecessary lawsuits11 and suretyship, or other like engagements;12 and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.13

  1. Psa. 15:2, 4; Zech. 7:4, 10; 8:16-17
  2. Rom. 13:7
  3. Lev. 6:2-5; Luke 19:8
  4. Luke 6:30, 38; 1 John 3:17; Eph. 4:28; Gal. 6:10
  5. 1 Tim. 6:6-9; Gal. 6:14
  6. 1 Tim. 5:8
  7. Prov. 27:23-27; Eccl. 2:24; 3:12-13; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Isa. 38:1; Matt. 11:8
  8. 1 Cor. 7:20; Gen. 2:15, 3:19
  9. Eph. 4:28; Prov. 10:4
  10. John 6:12; Prov. 21:20
  11. 1 Cor. 6:1-9
  12. Prov. 6:1-6; 11:15
  13. Lev. 25:35; Deut. 22:1-4; Exod. 23:4-5; Gen. 47:14, 20; Phil. 2:4, Matt. 22:39

Q. 142. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required,1 are, theft,2 robbery,3 man-stealing,4 and receiving anything that is stolen;5 fraudulent dealing,6 false weights and measures,7 removing land marks,8 injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man,9 or in matters of trust;10 oppression,11 extortion,12 usury,13 bribery,14 vexatious lawsuits,15 unjust enclosures and depopulations;16 engrossing commodities to enhance the price;17 unlawful callings,18 and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves;19 covetousness;20 inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods;21 distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them;22 envying at the prosperity of others;23 as likewise idleness,24 prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all other ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate,25 and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.26

  1. James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17
  2. Eph. 4:28; Psa. 42:10
  3. Psa. 62:10
  4. 1 Tim. 1:10
  5. Prov. 29:24; Psa. 50:18
  6. 1 Thess. 4:6
  7. Prov. 11:1; 20:10
  8. Deut. 19:14; Prov. 23:10
  9. Amos 8:5; Psa. 37:21
  10. Luke 16:10-12
  11. Ezek. 22:29; Lev. 25:17
  12. Matt. 23:25; Ezek. 22:12
  13. Psa. 15:5
  14. Job 15:34
  15. 1 Cor. 6:6-8; Prov. 3:29-30
  16. Isa. 5:8; Micah 2:2
  17. Prov. 11:26
  18. Acts 19:19, 24-25
  19. Job. 20:19; James 5:4; Prov. 21:6
  20. Luke 12:15
  21. 1 Tim. 6:5; Col. 3:2; Prov. 23:5; Psa. 42:10
  22. Matt. 6:25, 31, 34, Eccl. 5:12
  23. Psa. 37:1, 7; 73:3
  24. 2 Thess. 3:11; Prov. 18:9
  25. Prov. 21:17; 23:20-21; 28:19
  26. Eccl. 4:8; 6:2; 1 Tim. 5:8