The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue (from the Greek word “dekalogos,” meaning “ten words”), are a set of moral and ethical laws given by God to the Israelites through Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments are foundational to the moral teachings of the Bible and are recognized by both Jews and Christians as central to God’s law.
The Ten Commandments appear in two passages in the Old Testament:
- Exodus 20:1-17
- Deuteronomy 5:6-21
These commandments can be summarized as follows, with each commandment accompanied by a brief explanation and the related verses:
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21)
You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me
- Exodus 20:3 / Deuteronomy 5:7: “You shall have no other gods before me.”
- This commandment calls for exclusive devotion to the one true God, rejecting any form of idolatry or worship of other gods.
You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol
- Exodus 20:4-6 / Deuteronomy 5:8-10: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…”
- This commandment prohibits the creation or worship of images or idols representing God or other deities. Worship is to be directed to God alone, without physical representations.
You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord Your God in Vain
- Exodus 20:7 / Deuteronomy 5:11: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…”
- This commandment emphasizes reverence for God’s name, forbidding its misuse, whether in false oaths, trivial expressions, or disrespectful speech.
Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy
- Exodus 20:8-11 / Deuteronomy 5:12-15: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy…”
- God commands a day of rest and worship each week, dedicated to Him. The Sabbath serves as a reminder of both creation (Exodus) and liberation from slavery (Deuteronomy).
Honor Your Father and Your Mother
- Exodus 20:12 / Deuteronomy 5:16: “Honor your father and your mother…”
- This commandment emphasizes respect for parents and authority figures, promising blessings and longevity for those who honor their parents.
You Shall Not Murder
- Exodus 20:13 / Deuteronomy 5:17: “You shall not murder.”
- This commandment prohibits taking another person’s life unjustly, affirming the sanctity of human life created in God’s image.
You Shall Not Commit Adultery
- Exodus 20:14 / Deuteronomy 5:18: “You shall not commit adultery.”
- This commandment forbids sexual infidelity and upholds the sanctity of marriage, calling for faithfulness in relationships.
You Shall Not Steal
- Exodus 20:15 / Deuteronomy 5:19: “You shall not steal.”
- This commandment prohibits taking what does not belong to you, emphasizing respect for others’ property and integrity in all dealings.
You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor
- Exodus 20:16 / Deuteronomy 5:20: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
- This commandment forbids lying, especially in legal settings, and promotes honesty and truthfulness in all relationships.
You Shall Not Covet
- Exodus 20:17 / Deuteronomy 5:21: “You shall not covet…”
- This commandment addresses the heart’s desires, prohibiting envy or lust for someone else’s possessions, relationships, or success. It teaches contentment and guards against greed.
The Decalogue: Meaning and Significance
The Ten Commandments are also called the Decalogue, a term derived from the Greek “deka” (ten) and “logos” (words). They represent God’s covenantal laws, revealing His will for how His people are to live in relationship with Him and with one another.
Structure and Themes
The Ten Commandments are often divided into two sections:
Commands About Loving God (First Four Commandments):
- These commands focus on a person’s relationship with God, emphasizing exclusive worship, reverence, and dedicated time with Him.
- Jesus summarized this part in Matthew 22:37-38: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Commands About Loving Others (Last Six Commandments):
- These commands address relationships with other people, focusing on respect, life, marriage, property, and truthfulness.
- Jesus summarized this part in Matthew 22:39: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
New Testament Fulfillment and Emphasis
Jesus affirmed the importance of the Ten Commandments as part of God’s moral law, while also teaching that the essence of the law is love for God and love for neighbor:
- Matthew 5:17: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- Matthew 22:40: “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus did not discard the moral principles of the Decalogue; rather, He deepened their meaning by teaching that true obedience comes from the heart, emphasizing internal motives alongside external actions (Matthew 5-7).
Purpose of the Ten Commandments
To Reveal God’s Character: The commandments reflect God’s holiness, justice, and love.
To Guide Ethical Living: The Ten Commandments provide a moral framework for how people should live in relationship with God and others.
To Show Humanity’s Need for Grace: The commandments reveal sin and humanity’s inability to perfectly keep the law, pointing people to their need for a Savior.
- Romans 3:20: “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
To Foreshadow Christ’s Fulfillment: Jesus is the only one who perfectly fulfilled the law, and through Him, believers are empowered to live righteously.
- Romans 8:3-4: “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son… that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us.”
Summary
The Ten Commandments serve as a cornerstone of biblical ethics, foundational to understanding how to live in a way that honors God and respects others. They have timeless relevance as a moral guide, revealing God’s standards and humanity’s need for grace. In Christ, the law finds its fulfillment, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to live in accordance with God’s commands, driven by love for Him and others.