The 10 Commandments

 

The Ten Commandments, as found in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, are a set of religious and moral precepts given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are primarily recorded in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. These commandments outline duties towards God and towards one another, emphasizing both reverence for God and ethical behavior. 

 
  • "Thou shalt have no other gods before me.": This commandment establishes the foundational belief in one God and forbids the worship of any other deities. 
 
  • "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.": This prohibits the creation and worship of idols. 
 
  • "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.": This commandment emphasizes the reverence and respect due to God's name. 
     
  • "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.": This commandment designates the seventh day (Sunday) as a day of rest and worship. 
     
  • "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.": This commandment stresses the importance of respecting and honoring one's parents. 
     
  • "Thou shalt not kill.": This commandment prohibits the taking of a human life. 
     
  • "Thou shalt not commit adultery.": This commandment forbids sexual relations outside of marriage. 
     
  • "Thou shalt not steal.": This commandment prohibits the taking of another person's property. 
     
  • "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.": This commandment forbids lying or giving false testimony. 
     
  • "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.": This commandment prohibits envy and desiring what belongs to others. 

What does Jesus Say about the 10 Commandments?

 

Jesus affirmed the continuing validity of the Ten Commandments, stating he came not to abolish them but to fulfill them. He emphasized that love for God and neighbor fulfills the spirit and intent of the law, urging believers to live out the commandments in their hearts and actions. Jesus summarized the Ten Commandments into two, the greatest commandments, which are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. 

 
  • Jesus affirmed the Ten Commandments:
       Jesus stated in Matthew 5:17 that he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill them. This indicates that he did not reject the                 Ten Commandments but rather affirmed their importance and validity. 
 
  • Love as the foundation of the law:
    Jesus highlighted the importance of love as the core principle behind the commandments. He stated that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. These two commandments encompass the spirit of all the Ten Commandments. 
     
  • Fulfilling the commandments through love:
    Jesus emphasized that love for God and others is the key to fulfilling the commandments. He taught that keeping God's commandments is an expression of love for Him, and that true love for others will naturally lead to righteous actions. 
     
  • Deeper understanding of the commandments:
    Jesus challenged the legalistic interpretations of the Pharisees, revealing the deeper spiritual meanings and implications of the commandments. He taught that the commandments address not just outward actions but also the inner thoughts and motivations of the heart. 
     
  • Keeping the commandments as a disciple:
    Jesus called his followers to be disciples, emphasizing that true discipleship involves following his example and keeping his commandments. He stated that those who love him will keep his commandments. 
     
In essence, Jesus affirmed the Ten Commandments as a foundation of the law, but he also emphasized the importance of love for God and others as the driving force behind obedience. He called for a deeper, more spiritual understanding and application of the commandments in the lives of his followers. 

Why do Catholics have a Different set of Commandments?

 

The primary difference between Catholic and Protestant versions of the Ten Commandments lies in how they are numbered and divided. Catholics combine the first two commandments into one, and then split the tenth commandment into two, distinguishing between coveting a neighbor's wife and coveting their possessions. Protestants, on the other hand, generally follow a different numbering system that maintains the traditional two separate commandments regarding images and coveting. 
 

Catholic Version:

  • Combines the first two Protestant commandments (regarding having no other gods and not making idols) into a single commandment focused on acknowledging God as the one true God.
  • Splits the tenth commandment into two: one against coveting a neighbor's wife and another against coveting their possessions.
 
Protestant Version:
  • Maintains two separate commandments regarding idols and coveting, as found in Exodus 20.
  • The first commandment focuses on having no other gods before God.
  • The second commandment prohibits the making of idols.
  • The tenth commandment is a single one, encompassing both coveting of a neighbor's wife and possessions.