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The
Commandments
Introduction:
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage (Exodus 20:2).
First:
You shall have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3).
What
does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all
things (Martin Luther’s Small Catechism).
Second:
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Exodus 20:7).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not curse,
swear, practice magic, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it
in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks (The Small Catechism).
Third:
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Exodus 20:8).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not
despise preaching and His Word, but consider it sacred and gladly
hear and learn it (The Small Catechism).
Fourth:
Honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not
despise our parents and others in authority, nor provoke them to
anger, but give them honor, serve and obey them, and love and
treasure them (The Small Catechism).
Fifth:
You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt
or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every
bodily need (The Small Catechism).
Sixth:
You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a
sexually pure and decent life in word and deed, and each love and
honor his or her spouse (The Small Catechism).
Seventh:
You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take
our neighbor’s money or property, or get them by using deceptive
goods or practices, but help him to improve and protect his property
and income (The Small Catechism).
Eighth:
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not lie
about, betray or slander our neighbor, or hurt his reputation, but
defend him, speak well of him, and put the best explanation on
everything (The Small Catechism).
Ninth:
You shall not covet you neighbor’s house (Exodus 20:17).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hope
to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house by cunning, or in a
way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in
keeping it (The Small Catechism).
Tenth:
You Shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant,
nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is your
neighbor’s (Exodus 20:17).
What
does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice
or force away from our neighbor his wife, workers, or animals, or
turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty (The
Small Catechism). |
