Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism

Commentary on the Heidelberg CatechismClick here for TOCs and sample chapter The question of comfort is placed and treated first, because it embodies the design and substance of the catechism. The design is that we may be led to the attainment of sure and solid comfort, both in life and death. on Lords Day 1 Comfort. To comfort Gods people with instruction in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the main reason the Heidelberg Catechism was written. And to that end, George W. Williard's

Click here for TOCs and sample chapter

“The question of comfort is placed and treated first, because it embodies the design and substance of the catechism. The design is that we may be led to the attainment of sure and solid comfort, both in life and death.” —on Lord’s Day 1

Comfort. To comfort God’s people with instruction in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This was the main reason the Heidelberg Catechism was written. And to that end, George W. Williard's English translation of The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism has existed alongside the Catechism since 1851, assisting many generations of believers in plumbing the depths of the biblical truth of comfort expounded in the Catechism.

This 2025 edition of the Commentary is improved in readability and consistency compared to previous editions but still remains faithful to Williard’s original English translation. Bibliographical and explanatory footnotes have also been added to improve the reader’s study. Now in an enhanced format, the Commentary is a theological classic that would find a home in any Christian library.

What others are saying about the book:

"The RFPA is to be commended for its new edition of Ursinus' Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism. Although it is the same 1851 Williard translation used for all modern editions, the fresh formatting, footnoting of sources, translation of foreign quotations, and new indexing make it more valuable than any others. (Besides, they are out of print.) Most importantly, this publication will connect its reader more deeply to the rich reformed heritage of the Catechism. Although it is not penned by Ursinus himself, and consists of notes on lectures and other sources compiled by his student, and later successor, Dr. David Pareus, most agree it accurately represents Ursinus’ theology on the Catechism. And so, lovers of the Catechism have treasured it. In the Netherlands, the commentary was translated by Festus Hommius (later, 2nd clerk of the Synod of Dordt), first published in 1606, and went through a dozen editions in that century alone. Dutch folk and theologians, far and wide, knew it simply and affectionately as “The Treasure Book” (Het Schatboek). And what Williard said to fellow members of the German Reformed Church, some 175 years ago, still holds true for reformed believers today: “No work could well be published at this time which should be in greater demand…Great exertions should…be made to have his commentary placed in every family belonging to our Reformed Zion.” But no great exertion is needed. The RFPA has made it easy." - William Langerak, pastor of Trinity Protestant Reformed Church (Grand Rapids, MI)

"Over the centuries, many expositions and commentaries have been written on the Heidelberg Catechism, such as Theodorus VanderGroe’s The Christian’s Only Comfort in Life and Death and Herman Hoeksema’s multi-volume Triple Knowledge. Yet, no commentary has had quite the same impact or authority as that of Zacharias Ursinus himself. As the primary author of approximately 60% of the Catechism and its officially sanctioned expositor, Ursinus’ commentary is indispensable for anyone wishing to engage deeply with the text. Despite its historical and theological importance, Ursinus’ Commentary has not always been readily accessible to the modern reader. Previous editions were often printed in dated typefaces, out of circulation, or prohibitively expensive. Thankfully, the Reformed Free Publishing Association has now released a freshly typeset 2025 edition, restoring this seminal work to its rightful place in theological study. For those who have anticipated its release, this edition is not only a delight but also a much-needed resource." - KristiyaKnow (photos courtesy of @kristiyaknow_reviews)

“The lectures of Ursinus as compiled and edited by his student, David Pareus, are invaluable for understanding the Heidelberg Catechism. This is especially true for preachers tasked with proclaiming its teaching. Yet, preachers, and even those in the pew, may be turned off by its ‘scholastic’ structure. Far from making the Catechism more difficult, it was in the Christian use of Aristotle that Ursinus and others sought to analyze, break down, and simplify the teaching of the word for pastors, who are tasked with preaching to people. In other words, sophistication in the study leads to simplicity in the pulpit. Pastors: immerse yourself in the best of our tradition’s pedagogy and watch your preaching improve and your people’s minds and hearts be enflamed!”
- Daniel R. Hyde (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), pastor of Oceanside United Reformed Church (Carlsbad/Oceanside, CA)

“It is with great enthusiasm that I commend this latest edition of Ursinus’s Commentary from the RFPA…The reader of this new edition will find much to edify the soul. I cannot encourage you too strongly to buy this for your personal and church libraries. A blessing is in store for readers of classics.” - C. N. Willborn (Ph.D., Westminster Theological Seminary), senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (Oak Ridge, TN)

“The well-loved Heidelberg Catechism deserves not only careful study but also systematic exposition. And who better to write a commentary on the Catechism than one of its authors, Zacharias Ursinus?...Let us all rejoice in the republication of a significant resource in our Reformed theological and practical heritage.” - Thomas G. Reid Jr. (M.Div., Th.M.), retired librarian and registrar, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Pittsburgh, PA)

"The real virtue of this book lies in what RFPA has done that makes it notably unique from other print editions...Where there are charts and other such helps in the text, this volume makes them cleaner and more presentable. Some features of the text have been tweaked for greater consistency. The best things here (besides the text, of course) are the study helps. There are not one, but TWO tables of contents. The first is creedal, structured according to the 52 Lord’s Days and the threefold division of Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude. The second is topical, aiding in deeper study on particular topics or questions. RFPA has also added footnotes to aid with deeper study...While these study features aren’t exhaustive, they do wonders for making the CHC accessible to a wider audience...This new edition of the CHC is truly a gift to the church. RFPA is to be highly commended for their work. I believe that no Christian’s library is complete without a copy of this book." - Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms

"An essential Catechism resource. This edition is freshly formatted for easier reading. It contains numerous footnotes indicating original sources. It has corrected the translator’s mistakes. It has translated all foreign language quotations. This edition also includes Scripture and name indexes. If you have [an] older...reprint, it will be well worth your money to buy this improved edition. For those who’ve never owned it, it’s a great resource, especially if you’re regularly preaching or teaching the Catechism. It’ll be a good addition for church libraries too. But be warned: it wasn’t written as a popular guide to the Catechism. It’s academic and presented in the Protestant scholastic mode. Nevertheless, much of it will still be accessible to most Reformed readers today." - Wes Bredenhof

Read reviews by Wes Bredenhof and Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms.

ZACHARIAS URSINUS (1534–1583) was a Reformed theologian and professor. Through his works and teaching, and as the main author of the Heidelberg Catechism, by God’s grace Ursinus left an ongoing legacy for Reformed churches worldwide.

• 718 pages
• Hardcover
• ISBN 978-1-959515-41-8
  
• Release date: March 2025

eBook version available