Household Theology Press

Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 12 of 107

What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

A.When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.

Which Bible passages support this answer?

The Westminster Assembly attached these Scripture proofs to answer 12. Read them together and ask what each one shows about the answer.

  1. Galatians 3:12

    But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them. (NET)

  2. Genesis 2:17

    but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will surely die.” (NET)

What does this answer mean?

After creating Adam, God entered into a covenant of life with him. A covenant is a binding agreement. Life was promised on condition of perfect obedience, and God gave one clear test: Adam must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The penalty for disobeying was death.

What can we ask our children?

  1. What is a covenant?
  2. What did God tell Adam not to do?
  3. What would happen if Adam disobeyed?

Can I print this question?

Yes. Every printable here is free for home, church and co-op use. Press Print on any of these pages for a clean sheet.

Text: The Shorter Catechism, constitutional text of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Public domain (1647). Proof references: Scripture proofs added by the Westminster Assembly, as transcribed by The Westminster Standard. Scripture quotations are from the NET Bible; see permissions.

Checked against a second edition on November 15, 2026. Explanation and questions by Household Theology Press. Last updated November 15, 2026.

Printed from https://householdtheologypress.com/westminster-shorter-catechism/question-12/ · Household Theology Press · free to copy for home, church and co-op