Q.53. Which is the third commandment?

A. The third commandment is, Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.[x]

[x] Exod. 20:7.

Q.54. What is required in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of God’s names,[y] titles,[z] attributes,[a] ordinances[,b] word[c] and works.[d]

[y] Matt. 6:9. Deut. 28:58.

[z] Ps. 68:4.

[a] Rev. 15:3,4.

[b] Mal. 1:11,14.

[c] Ps. 138:1,2.

[d] Job 36:24.

We are here taught,

1. That God’s names are to be used with holy reverence.

2. That God’s titles are to be used with holy reverence.

3. That God’s attributes are to be used with holy reverence.

4. That God’s ordinances are to be used with holy reverence.

5. That God’s Word are to be used with holy reverence.

6. That God’s works are to be used with holy reverence.

Q.55. What is forbidden in the third commandment?

A. The third commandment forbiddeth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God maketh himself known.[e]

[e] Mal. 1:6,7,12. Mal. 2:2. Mal. 3:14.

We are here taught,

1. That we are forbidden to profane any thing by which God maketh himself known.

2. That we are forbidden to abuse any thing by which God maketh himself known.

Q.56. What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

A. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, That however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.[f]

[f] 1 Sam. 2:12,17,22,29. 1 Sam. 3:13. Deut. 28:58,59.

We are here taught,

1. That they who take God’s name in vain may escape punishment from men.

2. That the sin of taking God’s name in vain will be specially punished by God himself.