¶Woorkes of Supererogation.
The Arrogance of Supererogation
The catechism condemns works of supererogation as arrogant and contrary to Christ's teaching that even perfect obedience leaves us unprofitable servants.
Voluntary works beyond God's commandments—which they call works of supererogation—cannot be taught without arrogance and iniquity.1 For by them people declare that they not only give God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than duty requires—whereas Christ says plainly: when you have done all that is commanded you, say, "We are unprofitable servants."✦
Read the original English
VOluntary woorkes besides, ouer, and aboue Gods commaundements: whych they call workes of Supererogation: cānot be taught wtout arrogancy, and iniquity. For by them men dooe declare, that they dooe not onelye rendre to God, asmuch as they are bounde to dooe: but that they do more for his sake, then of boūden duetie is required: wheras Christe saieth plainelie: when you haue done all that are commaunded, you saye: we be vnprofitable seruauntes.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Luke.17.10 — So also you, when you have done all that was commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what we were obligated to do.'
Notes
- 1 ↩Kept as the traditional technical term for voluntary works claimed to go beyond God's commandments and produce surplus merit.
John Ponet's Short Catechisme (1553) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit