Overview

The fourth commandment closes the first table by sanctifying time. This section gives the commandment (Q115), what it requires (Q116), how the Sabbath/Lord’s Day is to be sanctified (Q117), why the charge is directed especially to heads of households and superiors (Q118), the sins forbidden (Q119), the reasons annexed (Q120), and why the word “Remember” is set at the beginning (Q121). The Larger Catechism gives the fullest treatment of the Sabbath in the Standards.

The Questions & Answers

Q115. Which is the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandment is, Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God… [Exod. 20:8–11].

Q116. What is required in the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandment requireth of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven, which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world; which is the Christian sabbath, and in the New Testament called the Lord’s day.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7, ESV)

“On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit.” (Rev. 1:10; cf. 1 Cor. 16:1–2, ESV)

Further proofs: Gen. 2:2–3; Exod. 20:8–11; Matt. 5:17–18.

Q117. How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified? A. The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship: and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably despatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight…” (Isa. 58:13–14, ESV)

Further proofs: Exod. 20:8; Neh. 13:15–22; Matt. 12:1–13; Luke 4:16.

Q119 — the sins forbidden (summarized): The fourth commandment forbids all omission and careless performance of the duties required; all profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful; and by all needless works, words, and thoughts about our worldly employments and recreations.

Q121. Why is the word Remember set in the beginning of the fourth commandment? A. The word Remember is set in the beginning of the fourth commandment… because of the great benefit which we reap by remembering it, we being thereby helped in our preparation to keep it, and, in keeping it, better to keep all the rest of the commandments… and because we are very ready to forget it, for that there is less light of nature for it, and yet it restraineth our natural liberty in things at other times lawful… and that Satan with his instruments much labour to blot out the glory, and even the memory of it.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exod. 20:8, ESV)

Further proofs: Exod. 16:23; Neh. 13:19; Ezek. 22:26; Acts 16:13.

Exposition: Q116 grounds the Sabbath in creation and the moral law — “one whole day in seven” — and confesses its change from the seventh day to the first (“the Lord’s day”) at Christ’s resurrection. Q117 is the fullest description of Sabbath-keeping in the Standards: “an holy resting all the day,” ceasing even from otherwise-lawful work and recreation, and “making it our delight to spend the whole time” in worship, with the gracious exceptions of “works of necessity and mercy” (which Christ Himself affirmed). Note the call to prepare — to arrange our affairs beforehand so we are “free and fit” for the day. Q118 directs heads of households to ensure those under their care also keep it. Q121’s reflection on “Remember” is wise and practical: God placed the reminder there because we are “very ready to forget it” — there is less natural instinct for it, it restrains our liberty, and Satan labors to erase it.

Connections

• WSC Q57–62 — the fourth commandment, its duties, the change of day, how the Sabbath is sanctified, the sins, and the reasons.
• WCF 21 (Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day) — the full doctrine of the Lord’s Day.
• Loci: The fourth commandment; the Sabbath / Lord’s Day; creation ordinances; the eternal rest (Heb. 4).

Pastoral & Practical Significance

The Larger Catechism frames the Lord’s Day as both a duty and, beautifully, a delight (Q117, echoing Isa. 58). In a world of relentless productivity and digital noise, the Christian Sabbath is a weekly act of faith and freedom: we lay down our work to declare that we are not slaves but children, that our worth is not in our output, and that the world is upheld by God, not by us. Q117’s call to preparation is intensely practical — Sabbath rest doesn’t happen by accident; it requires arranging our week so the day is free for worship and rest. And Q121’s wisdom is humbling: God knew we would be “very ready to forget” this command, because it cuts against our instinct to keep working and our love of liberty, and because the enemy actively works to crowd it out. The remedy is to remember — to guard the day deliberately as a gift. The Sabbath points backward to creation (God rested) and forward to the eternal rest that remains for God’s people (Heb. 4:9–11). To keep the Lord’s Day is to rehearse the gospel one day in seven: ceasing from our own works, we rest in His. Call the Sabbath a delight, and you will find God Himself to be your reward.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q116 and Q117; anchor verse: Isaiah 58:13–14. Q121 rewards reflection on why we so easily forget the day.
• Q117 calls me to prepare for the Lord’s Day. How could arranging my week beforehand make me “free and fit” for it?
• Q121 says we are “very ready to forget” the Sabbath. What crowds it out in my life — work, recreation, distraction?