Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 17 of 107
Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A.The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 17. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Romans 5:12
So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned— (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The fall brought the whole human race into an estate, or condition, of sin and misery. Sin is the wrong itself, and misery is the trouble that follows from it. The next two questions explain each part: question 18 describes the sinfulness, and question 19 describes the misery.
What can we ask our children?
- What two words describe the condition the fall brought?
- What is the difference between sin and misery?
- Where do we see sadness and trouble in the world?
Can I print this question?
Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.
- Memory card for question 17 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 17 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 11 to 20
- Copywork for questions 11 to 20
- All Westminster Shorter Catechism printables
Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.
Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.