What Are The Ten Commandments In The Bible
What Are The Ten Commandments In The Bible? The Ten Commandments, as recorded in the Bible, are as follows:
- Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
- Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honour thy father and thy mother.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
- Thou shalt not covet.
When I was a kid growing up in public school, I would often see a poster or plaque displaying the Ten Commandments.
But today, it seems that the Ten Commandments are often considered irrelevant or, at best, “old-fashioned.” Some consider them mere suggestions instead of the living Word of the Creator.
As Christian women who diligently study the Bible, it’s essential to grasp the significance of the Ten Commandments. These commandments, given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai, hold timeless relevance for Christians today. Let’s take a look at each commandment in order, as outlined in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, and see how they line up with the teachings found in the New Testament.
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What Are the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, found in the Bible, are a set of fundamental moral laws given to the children of Israel. These commandments are the bedrock of our faith, teaching us how to live a life aligned with God’s will.
Given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, the Ten Commandments represent divine wisdom and authority. They aren’t just random rules; they are divine instructions meant to cultivate a society founded on justice, integrity, and reverence for God.
Each commandment focuses on different aspects of behavior, laying out important principles that are crucial for our own well-being and for the well-being of our communities. From honoring God as the ultimate authority to respecting the sanctity of life, marriage, and property.
The commandments offer profound insights into human nature and the complexities of moral decision-making. They mirror God’s law for people to coexist in accordance with His intentions, promoting a community marked by love, respect, and righteousness.
The Ten Commandments from the King James Version
While the Old Testament contains these commandments in Exodus chapter 20, Jesus Christ reaffirmed their importance in the New Testament by summarizing them as loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind and loving our neighbors as ourselves—a principle known as the Great Commandment.
1. The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
This commandment underscores the exclusive devotion we owe to God. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms this principle in Matthew 22:37-38, saying, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
2. The Second Commandment
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. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:4-6 (KJV)
God admonishes against creating idols or likenesses of anything for worship. In the New Testament, 1 John 5:21 warns, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
3. The Third Commandment
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. Exodus 20:7 (KJV)
Showing reverence for God’s name is essential; it must never be treated with disrespect or used casually. In the New Testament, James 5:12 echoes this sentiment, stating, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
4. The Fourth Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11 (KJV)
God sanctified the seventh day as a day of rest and worship, emphasizing its importance for spiritual renewal. In the New Testament, Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a spiritual Sabbath rest: “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.”
5. The Fifth Commandment
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12 (KJV)
This commandment highlights the significance of honoring parental authority and maintaining family bonds. In the New Testament, Ephesians 6:1-3 elaborates on this, stating, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
6. The Sixth Commandment
Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:13 (KJV)
Respect for human life is fundamental; this commandment condemns unjustified violence. In the New Testament, Jesus extends the meaning of this commandment to include anger and insults in Matthew 5:21-22: “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.”
7. The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14 (KJV)
Faithfulness and loyalty in marriage are central to God’s design for human relationships. In the New Testament, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 urges believers to flee sexual immorality: “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
8. The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15 (KJV)
Respect for others’ property underscores the importance of honesty and integrity. In the New Testament, Ephesians 4:28 emphasizes the value of honest work: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
9. The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Exodus 20:16 (KJV)
Truthfulness and integrity in our words and actions are essential for building trust and community. In the New Testament, Colossians 3:9-10 encourages believers to put off falsehood and speak truthfully: “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”
10. The Tenth Commandment
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. Exodus 20:17 (KJV)
God warns against the desire for what belongs to others, emphasizing contentment and gratitude. In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:5 reminds believers to be content with what they have: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
These commandments, engraved on tables of stone, formed the bedrock of righteous living for the Israelites. And they act are a guiding light for people everywhere, regardless of cultural or historical differences. Christians today strive to uphold these principles, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
In conclusion, recognizing the importance of the Ten Commandments deepens our faith and directs our actions. Let’s welcome these eternal lessons as we move forward in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For further study, refer to Exodus chapters 20 and 34 for the full text of the commandments, and explore relevant Scripture references to deepen your understanding.
