How Should the Word Be Read and Heard?

The ninetieth question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "How is the word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?" It answers,
"That the word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives."

If you want to benefit from the word of God, you should read it and hear it in the right manner. Consider how the elements of this catechism answer are found in Proverbs 2:1-6 as it directs us to seek wisdom and the knowledge of God.

• Verse 1 speaks of faith (receiving) and laying up: "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,"
• Verse 2 speaks of attending with diligence: "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;"
• Verse 3 speaks of preparing with prayer: "yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding," 
• Verse 4 speaks of a diligence moved by love: "if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,"
• Verses 5-6 then say regarding those who do these things: "then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..."

What does it mean to "attend thereunto with diligence"? 

To attend to the word of God with diligence refers to reading and listening to the word consistently and teachably, setting your mind to understand it. You should attend to the word, and you should do so diligently. The church described in Acts 2 set a good example when they "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching" (Acts 2:42). Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:19 that we have been given the word of God, and "you will do well to pay attention [to it] as to a lamp shining in a dark place." Proverbs teaches that earnest teachableness is essential to profiting from instruction. Proverbs 2:2 exhorts you to make your ear attentive to wisdom and to incline your heart to understanding, that you might find the knowledge of God.

How should we attend to it with preparation? 

Preparation refers to putting yourself in a teachable frame of mind, turning away from rebellion, and remembering whose word this is that you are receiving. As you come to read or hear it, consider the majesty and presence of God (Acts 10:33) and lay aside all sins that might choke out the word (James 1:19-21, 1 Peter 2:1-3, Matt. 13:22). 

How should we pray as we come to God’s word? 

The prayer we should pray is that God would give us a true understanding of his word and bring it to us, not only in word, "but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction" (1 Thess. 1:5). "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law … Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes" (Ps. 119:18, 135). We should also pray for those who preach the word, that they might make it clear (Col. 4:4), and declare it boldly (Eph. 6:19-20), and that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored (2 Thess. 3:1).

Is it important to receive the word with faith? What does that mean? 

Hebrews 4:2 tells us that the gospel did not benefit the generation that died in the wilderness because they did not receive the word with faith. To receive it with faith means to accept it as the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13, 2 Tim. 3:16), as therefore having divine authority and infallible truth, giving assent to what it asserts and teaches, and to trust in it and its promises. The Westminster Confession of Faith helpfully explains a believing reception of the word of God when it says,

By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein; and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come. (WCF 14.2)

Is it important to receive the word with love? What does that look like? 

2 Thessalonians 2:10 says of those who are perishing, “that they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” We should love the truth and cherish God's word. To paraphrase Thomas Vincent, our love to the word should be shown in three ways: (1) in highly prizing the word of God, above all the treasures of this world. As Psalm 119:72 says, “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” (2) In earnestly desiring the word of God. As 1 Peter 2:2 says, “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation…” (3) In taking delight in the word of God. As Psalm 119:24 says, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.”

What do people usually do with treasure? 

They store it up. They are careful to watch over it, that they might use it well. So also with the word of God: you should lay it up in your heart. Take it to heart and put it on your heart (Deut. 6:4). Meditate upon it and bring it to remembrance. "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Ps. 119:11). Do not be a hearer who forgets. Jesus described those who received the the word well by saying, "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience" (Luke 8:15). 

What does James say is the opposite of the hearer who forgets? 

The doer who acts. "But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing" (James 1:25). God wants you to keep his word and practice it in your lives, more and more. Act upon his word by believing in it and learning to obey it. The one who hears the words of Christ and does them that is like the man who built his house on the rock, but he one who hears his words and does not do them is like the man who built his house on the sand (Matt. 7:24-27).

Here are a few additional Q&As from the Westminster Larger Catechism on this topic:

Q. 157. How is the Word of God to be read?


A. The holy Scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them; with a firm persuasion that they are the very Word of God, and that he only can enable us to understand them; with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them; with diligence, and attention to the matter and scope of them; with meditation, application, self-denial, and prayer.

Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?


A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the word, are to preach sound doctrine, diligently, in season and out of season; plainly, not in the enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory, and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the word preached?


A. It is required of those that hear the word preached, that they attend upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts, and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

How Is the Word Made Effectual to Salvation?

The eighty-ninth question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "How is the word made effectual to salvation?" It answers, "The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation." 

The Holy Scriptures are the word of God, and they “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). God has delivered his message to man, and all of Scripture is that message. All of that message (special revelation) is contained in Scripture.

How is the word to be administered? 

Both by the reading of the word and the preaching of the word.

Is the Word of God to be read by all? 

This question is asked by the Larger Catechism. It answers, "Although all are not to be permitted to read the Word publicly to the congregation, yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, and with their families: to which end, the Holy Scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages." How do we know that each of us should read it? At the very least, from what the Bible says about meditating upon God’s word daily (e.g. Psalm 1). The word can be read from the page or remembered from what you have memorized. That said, each one should learn to read to be able to read the Scriptures, all of which is profitable (2 Tim. 3:16).

How do we know that we should read it with our families? 

Because the Bible says to diligently teach these words to your children and to talk of them throughout the day (Deut. 6:7). This implies both a reading or recalling of Scripture and instruction in it. 

How should each Christian promote knowledge of the word of God? 

Only some Christians are called to be ministers of the word, but all Christians have some responsibility to promote the knowledge of the word of God. We should all confess Christ before men (Matt. 10:32-33) and be ready and eager to give a defense of the faith and a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15) and to invite and encourage others to come to Christ and his word (Is. 2:2-3, Zech. 8:21, 2 Chron. 30:1, Acts 10:24, 33). Likewise, we should also encourage one another with the teachings of Scripture in a brotherly way (1 Thess. 4:18, Acts 18:26).

How should ministers of the word administer the word? 

Both by the public reading of Scripture and by the preaching of Scripture (Deut. 31:9-13, Neh. 8, 1 Tim. 4:13-16, 2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Cor. 1:21). Paul told Timothy to devote himself to “the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13) because if he kept a close watch on himself and on the teaching, he would save both himself and his hearers (1 Tim. 4:16). The word of God is to be preached only by such as are sufficiently gifted, and also duly approved and called to that office (WLC 158, 1 Tim. 3:2, 6; 2 Tim. 2:2, 1 Cor. 12:28-29, Rom. 10:15, 1 Tim. 4:14), or in preparation, under the supervision of the church. 

Why might the catechism say “but especially the preaching”?

Consider how 1 Corinthians 2-3 and Romans 10 speak of the preaching of the word. In preaching, when it is rightly done, the message of Scripture is explained, so that it is especially clear and convicting (Neh. 8:8-9, Acts 8). As the Ethiopian said when Philip asked him if he understood what he read, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). In his wisdom, God uses mortal men, vessels of clay, to proclaim the treasures of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:7, see also 2 Cor. 5:20).

Where does the efficacy of the word come from? 

The Spirit of God makes the word of God effectual to salvation. The Spirit of God is the one who delivered the word of God to us, producing Scripture by working through its human authors (2 Tim. 3:16, 1 Peter 1:10-12, 1 Cor. 2:13). The Spirit of God is also the one who makes the word effectual to salvation. The natural person is not able to understand the word of God, but the spiritual person (the one who has the Spirit of God) is able to understand it (1 Cor. 2:11-14). While men may “plant” and “water” by preaching, yet it is God who gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7).

How does the Spirit make the word effectual for salvation in the calling of sinners? 

The Spirit makes the word an effectual means of "convincing and converting sinners." It is the instrument he uses to bring sinners from darkness to light, from death to life. It is the ordinary means by which the Spirit produces active faith and repentance in sinners (Rom. 10:17, Acts 26:18, 1 Peter 1:23-25). It is through the word that the Spirit

• convicts the sinner of his sin and convinces him of his misery and danger;
• enlightens the sinner in the knowledge of Christ, persuading him of God’s mercy in Christ; and
• draws the sinner to convert, to embrace Christ for salvation and to repent from sin to God.

How does the Spirit make the word effectual for salvation in the life of believers?

The Spirit uses the reading and preaching of the word to build up those who have been converted. He builds them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation. In this way, he prepares and preserves us for glory. He keeps us on the narrow way by the word.

• Those who have been born again by the word ought to long for the word, as infants long for milk, that by it they may grow up into salvation (1 Peter 2:2).
• Christ gave the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers not only for the gathering of the elect, but also for the training and perfecting of the saints, that they might be steadfast and mature (Eph. 4:12, Col. 1:28, 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• The word of God shows us the way of holiness and motivates us to walk in it. By the word, the Spirit sanctifies us.
• The word of God is also the means by which the Spirit - the Comforter - comforts and strengthens us, giving us hope and confidence (Rom. 15:4, John 14:26).
• We are built up in holiness and comfort by the word through faith. Just as faith is worked in us by the word, so it is strengthened by the ministry of the word too (1 Thess. 3:2, 10).

What Are the "Means of Grace"?

The eighty-eighth question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, "What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?" It answers, "The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption, are his ordinances, especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation."

What does it mean for Christ to communicate to us the benefits of redemption? 

This phrase does not simply refer to telling us about it, but actually sharing these benefits with us, giving them to us, giving us communion in them. Christ purchased redemption on the cross, and he then in due time gives the benefits of that redemption to the elect (e.g. justification, adoption, sanctification, the benefits that accompany or flow from them). 

What are means? 

A mean is something that is between, a middle point or place, and in this context it refers to an instrument, that which is used to accomplish a goal, to achieve an effect; the medium through which something is done.

What are the inward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?

The catechism explains in questions 29-31 that we are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the work of the Spirit in us, who applies it to us by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling (John 6:35, 44, 63, 1 Cor. 6:11).

Does Christ also ordinarily use outward means to communicate to us the benefits of redemption?

Yes, this catechism answer points out that Christ ordinarily uses outward means to give us the benefits of redemption (Rom. 10:14-17, 1 Tim. 4:15-16), both initially and continually, in our effectual calling and growth in grace. The Spirit makes these outward means effectual. Sometimes we refer to these outward and ordinary means as “the means of grace.”

Why do we call them the ordinary means?

First, because there may be exceptions, such as with elect infants who die in infancy and are nevertheless regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit, who works when, and where, and how he pleases (John 3:8). Second, because these means are the ordinary means and we should use them with that expectation. You should seek Christ and his benefits by a diligent and right use of the ordinary means appointed by him, as was said earlier. 

Are they made effectual for salvation to everyone?

No, the wilderness generation is used several times in the Bible as an illustration of those who had the means of grace but did not benefit from them (Heb. 4, 1 Cor. 10). Apart from the Spirit’s work, the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, for their minds are blinded, kept from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:3-4).

To whom are they made effectual to salvation? 

God makes them effectual to the elect for salvation. “…and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48). These outward means are how God effectually calls and preserves his elect unto salvation. The efficacy of all the means of grace come from God, who removes our spiritual blindness and stubbornness, not from the means themselves.

Generally speaking, what are these outward and ordinary means?

They are Christ’s ordinances. Why is it important for us to specify that? Because it is only through ordinances of his appointing, appointed in his word, that we should expect to find salvation, not through ordinances invented by man. As Thomas Vincent (1634-1678) explains, “We ought not to make use of any ordinances which are of men’s appointment only, in order unto salvation, because this is will-worship, which is both vain and offensive; and we cannot groundedly expect the blessing of the Lord upon, or to receive any true benefit of any ordinances, but by those alone which are of his own appointment only.”

What are the chief ordinances of Christ? 

The Word of God, the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper), and prayer (Matt. 6:5-13, 26:26-29, 28:18-20). Acts 2:41-42, 47 describes how these ordinances were diligently observed by the apostolic church, and how God made them effectual to the elect for salvation. “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).