gen-discern-and-explain-with-scripture-where-relevant-wsc-q80-1-1171

Discern and explain, with Scripture where relevant: WSC Q80 ↔ 1 Corinthians

# WSC Q80 and 1 Corinthians: Connections ## WSC Q80 Text **Q. 80. What is required in the tenth commandment?** **A. The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.** ## Key Connections to 1 Corinthians ### 1. **Contentment with Our Own Condition** **1 Corinthians 7:17-24** - Paul's teaching on remaining content in one's calling: - "Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him" (v.17) - "In whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God" (v.24) This passage directly supports the catechism's call for contentment with our circumstances, recognizing God's sovereign assignment. **1 Corinthians 4:7** - "What do you have that you did not receive?" - Undermines covetousness by reminding us everything is a gift - Promotes gratitude rather than envious comparison ### 2. **Charitable Frame Toward Our Neighbor** **1 Corinthians 13:4-7** - Love "does not envy" - The great love chapter explicitly condemns envy - Prescribes the positive opposite: love "rejoices with the truth" and bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things - This is the "right and charitable frame of spirit" the catechism requires **1 Corinthians 10:24** - "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor" - Direct antithesis to covetousness - Calls for other-centered rather than self-centered desires ### 3. **Addressing Covetousness in the Church** **1 Corinthians 5:11** - Lists "covetous" (or "greedy") among sins requiring church discipline - Shows the seriousness of violating the tenth commandment - Places covetousness alongside sexual immorality and idolatry **1 Corinthians 6:10** - "Nor the greedy...will inherit the kingdom of God" - Echoes the severity of covetousness - Connects to the exclusionary nature of unrepentant sin ### 4. **Spiritual Gifts and Contentment** **1 Corinthians 12:4-31** - Different gifts to different members - "But earnestly desire the higher gifts" (v.31a) must be balanced with contentment in one's own gift - The body imagery (v.12-26) teaches against envying another's role or gifts - "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'" (v.21) Paul addresses the covetous desire for gifts others possess while teaching appreciation for God's sovereign distribution. ### 5. **Warning Against Idolatry** **1 Corinthians 10:6-7, 14** - "Do not desire evil...flee from idolatry" - Connects covetousness with idolatry (cf. Colossians 3:5) - The Israelites' coveting in the wilderness serves as warning ## Summary 1 Corinthians reinforces WSC Q80 by: - **Commanding contentment** in our God-given circumstances (ch. 7) - **Defining love as non-envious** and other-centered (ch. 10, 13) - **Warning of eternal consequences** for the covetous (ch. 6) - **Teaching gratitude** for God's gifts (ch. 4) - **Promoting unity** over competition in the body of Christ (ch. 12) The epistle shows that the tenth commandment isn't merely about external restraint but requires **internal transformation**—a heart renewed to find satisfaction in God's provision and to genuinely rejoice in our neighbor's blessings.