Questions 1–10Our Chief End, God & Creation

English text of 1647

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Wikisource transcription of the 1647 English text; source edition not documented; formatting and a known Q85 omission are normalized. Source: Wikisource transcription.

The catechism was first published in 1647; this edition reproduces its historical English text. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.

What is the chief end of man?

Man's chief end is to glorify God,^a and to enjoy him for ever.^b

Scripture proofs

aPs. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11

bPs. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4

What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,^a is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.^b

aMatt. 19:4-5 with Gen. 2:24; Luke 24:27, 44; I Cor. 2:13; 14:37; II Pet.1:20-21; 3:2, 15-16

bDeut. 4:2; Ps. 19:7-11; Isa. 18:20; John 15:11; 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; II Tim. 3:15-17; I John 1:4

What do the Scriptures principally teach?

The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God,^a and what duty God requires of man^b.

aGen. 1:1; John 5:39; 20:31; Rom. 10:17; II Tim. 3:15

bDeut. 10:12-13; Josh. 1:8; Ps. 119:105; Mic. 6:8; II Tim. 3:16-17

What is God?

God is a Spirit^a, infinite^b, eternal^c, and unchangeable^d in his being^e, wisdom^f, power^g, holiness^h, justiceⁱ, goodness^j, and truth^k.

aDeut. 4:15-19; Luke 24:39; John 1:18; 4:24; Acts 17:29

bIKings 8:27; Ps. 139:7-10; 145:3; 147:5; Jer. 23:24; Rom. 11:33-36

cDeut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2; 102:12, 24-27; Rev. 1:4,8

dPs. 33:11; Mal. 3:6; Heb. 1:12; 6:17-18; 13:8; Jas. 1:17

eEx. 3:14; Ps. 115:2-3; I Tim. 1:17; 6:15-16

fPs. 104:24; Rom. 11:33-34; Heb. 4:13; I John 3:20

gGen. 17:1; Ps. 62:11; Jer. 32:17; Mat. 19:26; Rev. 1:8

hHeb. 1:13; I Pet. 1:15-16; I John 3:3, 5; Rev. 15:4

iGen. 18:25; Ex. 34:6-7; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 96:13; Rom. 3:5, 26

jPs. 103:5; 107:8; Matt. 19:17; Rom. 2:4

kEx. 34:6; Deut. 32:4; Ps. 86:15; 117:2; Heb. 6:18

Are there more Gods than one?

There is but one only^a, the living and true God^b.

aDeut. 6:4; Isa. 44:6; 45:21-22; I Cor. 8:4-6

bJer. 10:10; John 17:3; I Thess. 1:9; I John 5:20

How many persons are there in the Godhead?

There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost^a; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.^b

aMatt. 3:16-17; 28:19; II Cor. 13:14; I Pet. 1:2

bPs. 45:6; John 1:1; 17:5; Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 9:5; Col. 2:9; Jude 24-25

What are the decrees of God?

The decrees of God are, his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass^a.

aPs. 33:11; Isa. 14:24; Acts 2:23; Eph. 1:11-12

How doth God execute his decrees?

God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence^a.

aPs. 148:8; Isa. 40:26; Dan. 4:35; Acts 4:24-28; Rev. 4:11

What is the work of creation?

The work of creation is, God's making all things of nothing, by the word of his power^a, in the space of six days, and all very good.^b

aGen. 1:1; Ps. 33:6, 9; Heb. 11:3

bGen. 1:31

How did God create man?

God created man male and female, after his own image^a, in knowledge^b, righteousness, and holiness^c, with dominion over the creatures^d.

aGen. 1:27

bCol. 3:10

cEph. 4:24

dGen. 1:28; see Ps. 8