---
title: "Question 82: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 82: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thoug"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-82-is-any-man-able-perfectly-to-keep-the-commandments/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=169"
---

# Question 82: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

No mere man since the fall is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Scripture proofs: Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10; Gal. 5:17; Gen. 6:5; Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:9-21; Jas. 3:2-13.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=169)

## Related reading

- [What does “Reformed” mean?](https://ctkrp.org/learn/what-is-reformed/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-19-law-of-god/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 39: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-39-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 91: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-91-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/)
- [Question 81](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-81-what-is-forbidden-in-the-tenth-commandment/)
- [Question 83](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-83-are-all-transgressions-of-the-law-equally-heinous/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-82-is-any-man-able-perfectly-to-keep-the-commandments/