Overview

The hinge of the catechism. After the descent into sin and misery (Q21–29), this section announces that God did not leave all mankind to perish (Q30), but made a covenant of grace with the elect in Christ the second Adam (Q31), manifesting His grace in this covenant (Q32), and administering it under both the Old and New Testaments (Q33–35) — one covenant under two administrations.

The Questions & Answers

Q30. Doth God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery? A. God doth not leave all men to perish in the estate of sin and misery, into which they fell by the breach of the first covenant, commonly called the covenant of works; but of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect out of it, and bringeth them into an estate of salvation by the second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us… made us alive together with Christ.” (Eph. 2:4–5, ESV)

Further proofs: 1 Thess. 5:9; Gal. 3:21; Rom. 3:20–22; Titus 3:4–7.

Q31. With whom was the covenant of grace made? A. The covenant of grace was made with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:21–22, ESV)

“…he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days.” (Isa. 53:10–11; cf. Gal. 3:16, ESV)

Further proofs: Rom. 5:15–21; Ps. 89:3.

Q32. How is the grace of God manifested in the second covenant? A. The grace of God is manifested in the second covenant, in that he freely provideth and offereth to sinners a Mediator, and life and salvation by him; and requiring faith as the condition to interest them in him, promiseth and giveth his Holy Spirit to all his elect, to work in them that faith, with all other saving graces; and to enable them unto all holy obedience, as the evidence of the truth of their faith and thankfulness to God, and as the way which he hath appointed them to salvation.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Eph. 2:8, ESV)

“And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” (Ezek. 36:27, ESV)

Further proofs: John 6:27; 3:16; Gal. 5:22–23; 1 John 5:13; James 2:18, 22.

Q33. Was the covenant of grace always administered after one and the same manner? A. The covenant of grace was not always administered after the same manner, but the administrations of it under the Old Testament were different from those under the New.

Q35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament? A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fulness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“…These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Col. 2:17, ESV)

Further proofs: Matt. 28:19–20; 2 Cor. 3:6–11; Heb. 8:6, 10–11; Gal. 3:14, 28.

Exposition: Q30 is the gospel turn: God “of his mere love and mercy delivereth his elect” by the covenant of grace. Q31 is theologically rich: the covenant was made “with Christ as the second Adam, and in him with all the elect as his seed” — pointing back to the eternal covenant of redemption between Father and Son, in which Christ represents His people as Adam represented his. Q32 beautifully shows how this covenant is all grace: God provides and offers the Mediator, requires faith but gives that very faith by His Spirit, and enables the obedience that evidences faith (not earns salvation, but is “the way… appointed… to salvation”). Q33–35 confess the unity of the covenant under two administrations: under the Old Testament by types and shadows foresignifying Christ (Q34), under the New by the preaching of the Word and the sacraments, with “more fulness, evidence, and efficacy” — Christ the substance now revealed.

Connections

• WSC Q20 — God’s electing some to eternal life and entering a covenant of grace to deliver them by a Redeemer.
• WCF 7 (Of God’s Covenant with Man) — the covenant of works and grace, and the unity of the Testaments.
• Loci: Covenant theology (the covenant of redemption, works, and grace; the unity of the Testaments); election; the doctrines of grace.

Pastoral & Practical Significance

This section answers the despairing question raised by Q21–29 — “Is there any hope for sinners?” — with a resounding yes, grounded entirely in God. Notice how thoroughly grace runs through it: God provides the Mediator, offers salvation freely, requires faith but gives the faith He requires, and enables the obedience that flows from it (Q32). There is no point at which the sinner contributes anything of his own; even his believing and his obeying are gifts. This guards the trembling conscience from both legalism (you don’t earn your place in the covenant) and despair (God supplies all that the covenant requires). Q31’s truth that the covenant was made “with Christ… and in him with all the elect” is the deepest security: your salvation rests not on your grip on the covenant but on Christ your covenant Head, who cannot fail. And Q33–35 give you a Bible that hangs together — one covenant of grace from Genesis to Revelation, Christ in shadow then in substance — so that Abraham and David and you are saved the same way, by faith in the same Redeemer.

For Memory & Reflection

• Memorize Q30 and Q31; anchor verses: Ephesians 2:4–5 and 1 Corinthians 15:21–22.
• Q32 shows God gives the faith He requires and enables the obedience that follows. How does that protect me from both legalism and despair?
• The covenant was made “with Christ… and in him with all the elect.” How does resting on Christ my covenant Head steady my assurance?