What Are the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, are the fundamental moral laws given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are recorded in the Book of Exodus (20:1-17) and repeated in the Book of Deuteronomy (5:6-21). These commandments are not arbitrary rules but divine laws that reflect God's character and His will for human beings. They provide the foundation for moral living and serve as a guide for how we should relate to God and to one another. The Ten Commandments are considered the cornerstone of Judeo-Christian morality and have influenced legal systems and moral codes throughout history.
The Catholic Church teaches that the Ten Commandments are part of God's natural law, which is written on the human heart and accessible to all people through reason. They are not just for Jews or Christians but represent universal moral principles that apply to all human beings. The commandments are not meant to restrict human freedom but to guide it toward true happiness and fulfillment. They help us understand what it means to be truly human and to live in accordance with God's plan for creation.
The First Commandment: You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me
The first commandment calls us to worship and serve God alone. It forbids idolatry, which is the worship of false gods or the excessive attachment to created things. This commandment reminds us that God is the source of all good and that our ultimate loyalty and devotion should be directed toward Him. It calls us to put God first in our lives and to recognize that He alone is worthy of our complete trust and worship.
In the modern world, idolatry can take many forms. We can make idols of money, power, fame, pleasure, or even other people. We can become so attached to material possessions or worldly success that they take the place of God in our lives. The first commandment calls us to examine our priorities and to ensure that God is truly first in our hearts and minds. It also calls us to avoid superstition, magic, and other practices that seek to control spiritual forces apart from God.
The Second Commandment: You Shall Not Take the Name of the Lord Your God in Vain
The second commandment calls us to respect and honor God's name. It forbids the misuse of God's name in cursing, swearing, or making false oaths. God's name is holy and should be treated with reverence and respect. This commandment also calls us to be truthful and honest in our speech, especially when we invoke God's name in oaths or promises.
In addition to avoiding blasphemy and profanity, this commandment calls us to use God's name properly in prayer and worship. When we pray, we should do so with reverence and sincerity, recognizing that we are speaking to the Almighty God. The commandment also reminds us that our words have power and that we should use them responsibly, especially when we invoke God's name.
The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy
The third commandment calls us to set aside one day each week for rest and worship. In the Old Testament, this was the seventh day (Saturday), but in the New Testament, Christians began to observe the first day of the week (Sunday) in honor of Christ's resurrection. The Sabbath is a gift from God that allows us to rest from our work and to focus on our relationship with Him and with others.
Keeping the Sabbath holy involves participating in the liturgy, especially the Mass, which is the central act of Christian worship. It also involves avoiding unnecessary work and using the day for prayer, study, and time with family and friends. The Sabbath reminds us that we are not just workers or consumers but human beings created in God's image, called to rest and to enjoy the good things that God has given us.
The Fourth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Your Mother
The fourth commandment calls us to respect and care for our parents and other authority figures. This commandment recognizes the importance of family and the role that parents play in our lives. It calls us to show gratitude for the gift of life and for the care and guidance that our parents have provided. This commandment also extends to other authority figures, such as teachers, employers, and government officials, whom we should respect and obey when their authority is legitimate.
The commandment also calls parents to fulfill their responsibilities toward their children, providing them with love, care, and guidance. It recognizes that authority is not just about power but about service and responsibility. Parents have a duty to care for their children, and children have a duty to respect and care for their parents, especially as they grow older and may need assistance.
The Fifth Commandment: You Shall Not Kill
The fifth commandment calls us to respect and protect human life from conception to natural death. It forbids murder, suicide, euthanasia, and abortion, as well as any other action that directly and intentionally takes innocent human life. This commandment is based on the recognition that human life is sacred because every person is created in God's image and likeness.
The commandment also calls us to work for peace and justice, to care for the poor and vulnerable, and to avoid hatred, anger, and violence in our hearts and actions. It reminds us that we are called to be peacemakers and to work for the common good. The commandment also calls us to care for our own health and well-being, as our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit.
The Sixth Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
The sixth commandment calls us to respect the gift of human sexuality and to use it according to God's plan. It forbids adultery, fornication, pornography, and any other sexual activity outside of marriage. This commandment is based on the understanding that human sexuality is a gift from God that is meant to be expressed within the context of marriage, which is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.
The commandment also calls us to practice chastity, which is the virtue that helps us use our sexuality properly. Chastity involves self-control and the proper ordering of our sexual desires. It calls us to respect the dignity of every person and to avoid treating others as objects for our own pleasure. The commandment also calls married couples to be faithful to each other and to work to strengthen their relationship.
The Seventh Commandment: You Shall Not Steal
The seventh commandment calls us to respect the property and rights of others. It forbids theft, fraud, cheating, and any other action that takes what belongs to another person. This commandment is based on the recognition that private property is a legitimate institution that helps to promote human dignity and the common good.
The commandment also calls us to be honest in our business dealings, to pay fair wages, to pay our taxes, and to fulfill our contractual obligations. It calls us to work for economic justice and to care for the poor and needy. The commandment also calls us to be good stewards of the earth's resources and to avoid waste and extravagance.
The Eighth Commandment: You Shall Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor
The eighth commandment calls us to be truthful in our speech and to respect the reputation of others. It forbids lying, slander, gossip, and any other action that damages the good name of another person. This commandment is based on the recognition that truth is essential for human relationships and for the proper functioning of society.
The commandment also calls us to be honest in our dealings with others and to avoid deception and manipulation. It calls us to speak the truth in love and to use our words to build up rather than tear down. The commandment also calls us to be careful about what we say and to avoid spreading rumors or unverified information.
The Ninth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's Wife
The ninth commandment calls us to control our thoughts and desires, especially those related to sexuality. It forbids lustful thoughts and desires for someone who is not our spouse. This commandment recognizes that our thoughts and desires can lead to sinful actions and that we need to guard our hearts and minds.
The commandment also calls us to practice purity of heart and to avoid anything that might lead us into temptation. It calls us to respect the dignity of every person and to avoid treating others as objects of our desire. The commandment also calls us to work to strengthen our marriages and to avoid anything that might threaten the sanctity of marriage.
The Tenth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet Your Neighbor's Goods
The tenth commandment calls us to be content with what we have and to avoid envy and greed. It forbids the desire to take what belongs to another person, whether through theft or other means. This commandment recognizes that envy and greed can lead to sinful actions and can damage our relationships with others.
The commandment also calls us to practice gratitude and to recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. It calls us to be generous with what we have and to share with those in need. The commandment also calls us to work for economic justice and to avoid the accumulation of wealth at the expense of others.
The Ten Commandments and the New Testament
In the New Testament, Jesus does not abolish the Ten Commandments but fulfills them and gives them a deeper meaning. In the Sermon on the Mount, He calls His followers to go beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law. For example, He teaches that not only is murder wrong, but even anger and hatred are sinful. He also teaches that not only is adultery wrong, but even lustful thoughts are sinful.
Jesus also summarizes the Ten Commandments in the two great commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commandments contain all the others and show us that the purpose of the law is to help us grow in love for God and for others. The Ten Commandments are not just rules to follow but guidelines for living a life of love and virtue.
Living the Ten Commandments Today
The Ten Commandments are as relevant today as they were when they were first given to Moses. They provide a solid foundation for moral living in a world that often seems confused about right and wrong. They help us understand what it means to be truly human and to live in accordance with God's plan for creation.
Living the Ten Commandments requires ongoing conversion and the grace of God. We cannot keep them perfectly on our own, but with God's help, we can grow in virtue and holiness. The sacraments, especially Penance and the Eucharist, provide us with the grace we need to live according to God's law. Prayer and spiritual reading also help us to understand and apply the commandments to our daily lives.
The Ten Commandments and Human Happiness
The Ten Commandments are not meant to restrict human freedom but to guide it toward true happiness and fulfillment. They help us understand what it means to be truly human and to live in accordance with God's plan for creation. When we follow the commandments, we experience the peace and joy that come from living in harmony with God and with others.
The commandments also help us avoid the pain and suffering that come from sin. They protect us from the consequences of our own bad choices and help us to build healthy relationships with God and with others. They guide us toward the ultimate goal of human life, which is union with God in heaven.