---
title: "Question 156: Is the Word of God to be read by all? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 156: Is the Word of God to be read by all? Although all are not to be permitted to read the Word publicly to the congregation, yet all sorts of people are bound to read"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-156-is-the-word-of-god-to-be-read-by/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=148"
---

# Question 156: Is the Word of God to be read by all? | Westminster Larger Catechism

Although all are not to be permitted to read the Word publicly to the congregation, yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, and with their families: to which end, the holy Scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages.

Scripture proofs: Deut. 31:9, 11-13; Neh. 8:2-3; Neh. 9:3-5; Deut. 17:19; Rev. 1:3; John 5:39; Isa. 34:16; Deut. 6:6-9; Gen. 18:17, 19; Ps. 78:5-7; 1 Cor. 14:6, 9, 11-12, 15-16, 24, 27-28.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=148)

## Related reading

- [Keeping the Lord’s Day](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/lords-day/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-and-highest-end-of-man/)
- [Find teaching on worship](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=worship)
- [Question 155](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-155-how-is-the-word-made-effectual-to-salvation/)
- [Question 157](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-157-how-is-the-word-of-god-to-be-read/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-156-is-the-word-of-god-to-be-read-by/