Overview

From God’s eternal decree the Confession moves to its first execution in time: creation. The Triune God made all things out of nothing, in the space of six days, and all very good; and He made humanity uniquely — male and female, in His own image, with a reasonable and immortal soul, righteous and holy, with the law of God written on the heart and a command to obey.

The Confession, Section by Section

4.1 — Creation out of nothing

It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1, ESV)

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Heb. 11:3, ESV)

“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31, ESV)

Further proofs: John 1:2–3; Col. 1:16; Rom. 11:36; Ps. 33:6; Exod. 20:11; Acts 17:24.

Exposition: Creation is the work of the whole Trinity, ex nihilo, “for the manifestation of his glory.” Nothing pre-existed God; the universe was spoken into being by His word. It was made “very good” — evil is no part of God’s original creation but an intruder (ch. 6). The Confession follows the Genesis account of “six days.”

4.2 — The creation of man in God’s image

After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it: and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was subject unto change. Beside this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen. 1:27, ESV)

“…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24, ESV)

Further proofs: Gen. 1:26, 28; 2:17; Col. 3:10; Eccl. 7:29; Rom. 2:14–15.

Exposition: Humanity is the crown of creation, made in God’s image with a “reasonable and immortal soul” and original righteousness (“knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness”). The image includes dominion and communion with God. Adam had real ability to obey (“power to fulfil it”) yet was mutable — able to fall. The probationary command about the tree set the stage for the covenant of works (ch. 7) and the fall (ch. 6).

Doctrinal Summary

The Triune God freely created the universe out of nothing, in six days, all very good, to display His glory. He made humanity uniquely in His image — rational, immortal, righteous, holy, with dominion and the law written on the heart — under a command of obedience that made for happy communion with God while kept. Creation is good, purposeful, and the stage on which redemption will unfold.

Connections

• WLC Q15–17 — the work of creation; the creation of angels; the creation of man.
• WSC Q9–10 — “The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good”; how God created man (male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion).
• WCF 7 (Covenant) — the command in Eden as the covenant of works; WCF 6 — the fall from this estate.
• Loci: Creation and theological anthropology (the image of God).

Pastoral & Practical Significance

Because the world was made good by a wise and good God, creation is to be received with gratitude, not despised; the body, marriage, work, and dominion are God’s good gifts. Because humanity bears God’s image, every person has inherent dignity — the ground of honoring others (ch. 19’s second table). And because we were made righteous and holy for communion with God, we feel the tragedy of the fall and the wonder of redemption all the more: grace restores and surpasses what was lost (Eph. 4:24 — the new self “created after the likeness of God”).

For Reflection

• If I am God’s image-bearer made for communion with Him, what does that say about my worth and my purpose?
• Creation was “very good.” How does gratitude for the created order shape the way I use food, work, rest, and relationships?
• The new self is being remade in true righteousness and holiness. How is redemption restoring God’s image in me?