HenryWSC 82

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 82

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Are any in this world perfectly free from sin? No: for there is no man that sinneth not,
2 Chron. 6:36
. Was Christ, who was not a mere man, perfect? Yes: he knew no sin,
2 Cor. 5:21
. Was Adam before the fall perfect? Yes: for God made man upright,
Eccles. 7:29
. Are the saints in the other life perfect? Yes: the glorious church is without spot or wrinkle,
Eph. 5:27
. But is any mere man since the fall in this life perfect? No for there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not,
Eccles. 7:20
.
Are self-justifiers self-deceivers? Yes: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
1 John 1:8
. And do they put a great affront upon God? Yes: for if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar,
1 John 1:10
.
Are not we able to keep God’s commandments better than we do? Yes: If I have done iniquity, I will do no more,
Job 34:32
. But are we able perfectly to keep them? No: For when I would do good, evil is present with me,
Rom. 7:21
. Though Noah was said to be perfect, yet did not he sin? Yes: for he drank of the wine, and was drunk,
Gen. 9:21
. And Job? Yes: for he cursed his day,
Job 3:1
. And Hezekiah? Yes: for his heart was lifted up,
2 Chron. 32:25
. Was St Paul himself perfect? No: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect,
Phil. 3:12
.
Do we sin daily? Yes: in many things we offend all,
James 3:2
. Do we daily sin in thought? Yes: for, The imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth,
Gen. 8:21
. Are we guilty of many tongue sins? Yes: In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin,
Prov. 10:19
. Are the best guilty of many defects? Yes: for when the spirit is willing the flesh is weak,
Matt. 26:41
. And of many inadvertencies? Yes: They are overtaken in a fault,
Gal. 6:1
. Can we tell how often we offend? No: who can understand his errors?
Ps. 19:13
. Should we not therefore have recourse to Christ daily by faith and repentance? Yes: If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
1 John 2:1
.
HenryWSC 82