Q.45. Which is the first commandment?

A. The first commandment is, Thou shalt have no other gods before me.[g]

[g] Exod. 20:3.

Q.46. What is required in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God;[h] and to worship and glorify him accordingly.[i]

[h] 1 Chron. 28:9. Deut. 26:17.

[i] Matt. 4:10. Ps. 29:2.

We are here taught,

1. That we are required to know God.

2. That we are required to acknowledge God.

3. That we are required to know and acknowledge God as the only true God.

4. That we are required to know and acknowledge God as our God.

5. That we are required to worship and glorify God as the only true God.

6. That we are required to worship and glorify God as our God.

Q.47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?

A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying,[k] or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God,[l] and our God;[m] and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.[n]

[k] Ps. 14:1.

[l] Rom. 1:21.

[m] Ps. 81:10,11.

[n] Rom. 1:25,26.

We are here taught,

1. That we are forbidden to deny God.

2. That we are forbidden to refuse or neglect to worship and glorify God.

3. That we are forbidden to worship God improperly, as if he were not the only true God.

4. That we are forbidden to worship God, as if he were not our God.

5. That we are forbidden to give that worship and glory to any other which is due to God alone.

Q.48. What are we specially taught by these words [before me] in the first commandment?

A. These words [before me] in the first commandment teach us, That God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other god.[o]

[o] Ezek. 8:5,6. Ps. 44:20,21.

We are here taught,

1. That God seeth all things.

2. That God taketh special notice of the sin of having any other god.

3. That God is much displeased with the sin of having any other god.