Second Sunday

Heidelberg Catechism 
Second Sunday
Catechismus oder christlicher Vnderricht, wie der in Kirchen vnd Schulen der Churfürstlichen Pfaltz getrieben wirdt
Question 3
Question 3: From where do you know your misery?
From the law of God.
Frage 3: Woher erkennst du dein Elend?
Aus dem Gesetz Gottes.
Key Explanation:
Your misery (dein Elend): "Misery" here refers to the moral and spiritual corruption and helplessness of humanity, which stands in stark contrast to God's perfect holiness. The law serves as a mirror, reflecting human imperfection and sinful nature.
Know/Recognize (erkennst): Indicates that this knowledge is not superficial understanding, but a deep recognition that makes one aware of one's true condition.
From the law of God (Aus dem Gesetz Gottes): This points out that the source of knowing our own misery comes not from personal feelings or social comparison, but from the divine standard, which is God's law.
The Fourth Question
Question 4: What then does God's law require of us?
Christ teaches us in summary in Matthew 22: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. ​And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Frage 4: Was fordert denn das göttliche Gesetz von uns?
Dies lehrt uns Christus in einer Summa Matthäus im 22. Kapitel: Du sollst lieben Gott, deinen Herrn, von ganzem Herzen, von ganzer Seele, von ganzem Gemüt und allen Kräften. Dies ist das vornehmste und größte Gebot. Das andere aber ist dem gleich: Du sollst deinen Nächsten lieben als dich selbst. In diesen zwei Geboten hanget das ganze Gesetz und die Propheten.
Key Explanations:
What does God's law require of us (Was fordert denn das göttliche Gesetz von uns): Emphasizes the positive requirements of the law, not just negative prohibitions.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Du sollst lieben Gott, deinen Herrn, von ganzem Herzen, von ganzer Seele, von ganzem Gemüt und allen Kräften): This points to a complete (ganz) love for God, including all aspects of our inner being (heart, soul, mind) and all our external abilities (strength). This love is unreserved, being the motivation and goal of all our actions.
This is the first and greatest commandment (Dies ist das vornehmste und größte Gebot): Indicates that loving God takes precedence among all commandments, serving as the foundation and core of other commandments.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Du sollst deinen Nächsten lieben als dich selbst): This points to love for others, with the standard being the love we have for ourselves. This love is proactive, caring for others' wellbeing as we care for our own.
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments (literal translation, In diesen zwei Geboten hanget das ganze Gesetz und die Propheten): This shows that these two commandments of loving God and loving others are the summary and core of the Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets). All statutes and ordinances can be traced back to these two fundamental principles of love.
Love God
With all your heart, soul, mind, and strength
Love Your Neighbor
As yourself
Fulfillment of the Law
All the Law and the Prophets
Question 5: Can you keep all this perfectly?
No; because by nature I am inclined to hate God and my neighbor.
Frage 5: Kannst du dies alles vollkömmlich halten?
Nein; denn ich bin von Natur geneigt, Gott und meinen Nächsten zu hassen.
Key Explanations:
Can you keep all this perfectly (Kannst du dies alles vollkömmlich halten): This question directly challenges whether humans have the ability to fully meet the standards of God's law.
No (Nein): The answer is negative, revealing human limitations and sinful nature.
Because by nature I am inclined to hate God and my neighbor (denn ich bin von Natur geneigt, Gott und meinen Nächsten zu hassen): This explains why humans cannot fully obey the law, namely that human fallen nature inclines one to be hostile toward God and others. The "hate" here does not always refer to intense emotion, but can also indicate a lack of proper love and obedience, as well as selfish tendencies.
By nature (von Natur): Emphasizes that this tendency is innate, a universal condition after humanity's fall.
Foundation of Salvation
These three questions and answers expound on the human predicament: from God's law, we recognize our own sin and suffering (Question 3), the law demands our complete love for God and others (Question 4), yet due to our fallen nature, we are unable to fully comply (Question 5). This lays the foundation for the subsequent discussion about how humanity can be rescued from this predicament.
Salvation
Path to redemption
Law
Requires perfect love
Suffering
Recognizing human sinfulness
These three questions and answers form the basis for understanding the human predicament and pave the way for the upcoming discussion about salvation through Jesus Christ.
Practical Application
The Heidelberg Catechism reveals humanity's predicament: we have a fallen nature, unable to fully obey God's law, but in Christ we can find renewal and hope.
Understanding Our True Selves
Humbly acknowledge our inability to fully obey the law, accept our limitations, and deeply recognize our need for the Savior's grace.
Spiritual Growth
Seek the Holy Spirit's renewing power in prayer, cultivate reverence for God and genuine care for neighbors, gradually moving away from selfish nature.
Relationship Restoration
Treat others' imperfections with understanding and tolerance, just as we also need forgiveness, practicing Christ's love in interpersonal relationships.
Continuous Renewal
Reflect on ourselves through the mirror of the law, recognize room for growth, and constantly pursue life renewal and transformation under the Holy Spirit's guidance.