---
title: "Question 61: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 61: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment? The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-61-what-is-forbidden-in-the-fourth-commandment/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=166"
---

# Question 61: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission, or careless performance, of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.

Scripture proofs: Ezek. 22:26; Amos 8:5; Mal. 1:13; Acts 20:7, 9; Ezek. 23:38; Jer. 17:24-26; Isa. 58:13.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=166)

## 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 60](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-60-how-is-the-sabbath-to-be-sanctified/)
- [Question 62](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-62-what-are-the-reasons-annexed-to-the-fourth-commandment/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-61-what-is-forbidden-in-the-fourth-commandment/