Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 78 of 107
What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?
A.The ninth commandment forbiddeth whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own or our neighbor’s good name.
Which Bible passages support this answer?
The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 78. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.
- 1 Samuel 17:28
When David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, he became angry with David and said, “Why have you come down here? To whom did you entrust those few sheep in the wilderness? I am familiar with your pride and deceit! You have come down here to watch the battle.” (NET)
- Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about as a slanderer among your people. You must not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord. (NET)
- Psalm 15:3
He does not slander, or do harm to others, or insult his neighbor. (NET)
What does this answer mean?
The ninth commandment forbids whatever harms the truth or injures our own or our neighbor's good name. Lies, half-truths, gossip, flattery and unfair words about others all break it. The commandment guards our own good name as well as our neighbor's, so careless words about ourselves count too.
What can we ask our children?
- Can we break this commandment by telling part of the truth?
- What is gossip, and why does it hurt?
- How should we speak about someone who is not there?
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 78 (fold-over card, question on the front)
- Copywork page for question 78 (trace, then copy)
- Memory cards for questions 71 to 80
- Copywork for questions 71 to 80
- 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.