Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 68 of 107
What is required in the sixth commandment?
A.The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 68. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- Ephesians 5:28-29
28In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one has ever hated his own body, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, (NET)
- 1 Kings 18:4
When Jezebel was killing the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah took 100 prophets and hid them in two caves in two groups of 50. He also brought them food and water.) (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The sixth commandment requires all lawful efforts to preserve our own life and the lives of others. Caring for our bodies, helping people in danger, making peace, and protecting the weak all belong to keeping this commandment. The commandment asks us to do good to others as well as avoid harming them.
What can we ask our children?
- How can we take care of our own lives?
- How can we protect other people?
- What does a peacemaker do?
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 68 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 68 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 61 to 70
- Copywork for questions 61 to 70
- 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.