Catechisma

Q1. What is the chief end of man?

Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

1 Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 11:36

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

2

Psalm 73:25–28

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

John 17:22, 24

And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. … Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

CommentaryThomas Vincent (1674)

Question 1. What is meant by the chief end of man?

Answer. The chief end of man is that which man ought chiefly to aim at, or design, to desire, seek after, and endeavour to obtain, as his chief good and happiness: unto which his life and his actions ought to be referred and directed; which is the glorifying of God, and the enjoyment of God for ever.

Question 2. May men have no other chief end, than the glorifying and enjoying of God?