Overview

Having expounded the whole law, the catechism asks whether anyone can keep it (Q149), whether all transgressions are equally heinous (Q150), what aggravates some sins above others (Q151), what every sin deserves (Q152), and — turning at last to the gospel — what God requires that we may escape His wrath (Q153). This section is the law’s final, humbling work, opening the door to the means of grace that follow.

The Questions & Answers

Q149. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? A. No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…for there is no one who does not sin.” (1 Kings 8:46, ESV)

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8, 10, ESV)

Further proofs: Eccl. 7:20; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:9–19; James 3:2.

Q150. Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God? A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11, ESV)

Further proofs: Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; 1 John 5:16; Ps. 78:17, 32, 56.

Q151 — the aggravations of sin (summarized): Sins receive their aggravations from the persons offending (those of greater age, experience, grace, eminency, or office); from the parties offended (immediately against God, His attributes, and worship; against Christ and His grace; the Holy Spirit; superiors; the common good); from the nature and quality of the offence (against the express letter of the law, breaking many commandments, deliberate, presumptuous, scandalous sins, against means, mercies, judgments, and convictions); and from circumstances of time and place (on the Lord’s day, in public, or where others are made to stumble).

Q152. What doth every sin deserve at the hands of God? A. Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty, goodness, and holiness of God, and against his righteous law, deserveth his wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come; and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Rom. 6:23, ESV)

“Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law.” (Gal. 3:10, ESV)

Further proofs: Eph. 5:6; Matt. 25:41; Heb. 9:22; 1 Pet. 1:18–19; Lam. 3:39.

Q153. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us by reason of the transgression of the law? A. That we may escape the wrath and curse of God due to us by reason of the transgression of the law, he requireth of us repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and the diligent use of the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21, ESV)

“…Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15, ESV)

Further proofs: Acts 16:30–31; John 3:16, 18; Prov. 2:1–5; 8:33–36.

Exposition: Q149 closes the door on every hope of self-salvation: “no man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments” — even the regenerate “daily break them.” Q150–151 introduce the important distinction that, though all sin damns, not all sins are equally heinous; Q151’s catalog of aggravations shows what makes some worse — greater knowledge, higher office, more direct offense against God, presumption, scandal, sinning against means and mercies and on the Lord’s day. This guards us from both minimizing sin and flattening conscience. Q152 then pronounces the universal desert of every sin, “even the least”: God’s “wrath and curse… in this life, and that which is to come” — and adds the gospel’s only remedy: it “cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.” Q153 is the gospel turn: God requires “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and the diligent use of the outward means” — the threefold answer that the rest of the catechism (Q154–196) unfolds.

Connections

• WSC Q82–87 — inability; the gradations of sin; the desert of sin; and what God requires (faith, repentance, the means).
• WCF 6 (the corruption of nature and inability), WCF 14–15 (saving faith and repentance).
• Loci: Hamartiology (inability; the aggravations and desert of sin); conversion (faith and repentance); the law as schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24).

Pastoral & Practical Significance

This section is the law’s last and most necessary work: to leave us without excuse and without self-confidence, so that we flee to Christ. Q149 demolishes the quiet pride that thinks “I’m doing well enough” — if even the regenerate “daily break” God’s commandments in thought, word, and deed, then no one stands before God on the basis of obedience. Q151’s aggravations sober us further: our sins are not all the same, and the more light, privilege, and grace we have received, the more accountable we are — a warning especially to long-time believers and those in positions of trust. And Q152’s verdict — that every sin, “even the least,” deserves God’s wrath and “cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ” — makes the cross necessary and grace amazing. If my smallest sin merits eternal judgment and only Christ’s blood can cover it, then the gospel is no minor mercy but my only hope. This is precisely why Q153 lands as the dawning of light after a long night: having shut every other door, God Himself provides the way of escape — repentance, faith, and the diligent use of the means. The law that condemns us is the schoolmaster that leads us to Christ (Gal. 3:24), and the catechism now turns to show us that way of grace.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q149, Q152, and Q153 — the law’s verdict and the gospel’s answer; anchor verses: 1 John 1:8 and Acts 20:21.
• Q151 teaches that greater light and privilege aggravate sin. How does that sober me as one who has received much grace?
• “Every sin, even the least… cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.” How does that make Christ’s blood precious to me?