The Ten Commandments are among the best-known words in the world. They were given by God to Israel at Mount Sinai and are recorded in Exodus 20:1–17 and again in Deuteronomy 5:6–21. The Bible calls them "the ten words" (Exodus 34:28), written by "the finger of God" on two tablets of stone (Exodus 31:18).
The context: rescue before rules
The commandments begin not with a command but with a reminder of grace:
"I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." (Exodus 20:2, KJV)
God did not say, "Keep these laws so that I will rescue you." He had already rescued Israel. The commandments describe how a rescued people should live in grateful relationship with their Saviour.
Two tables of the law
The commandments are often divided into two groups:
- The first four concern our relationship with God.
- The last six concern our relationship with other people.
The commandments one by one
1. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (20:3)
God alone deserves our worship and highest loyalty. Anything we love, trust or serve more than God — money, success, family, status — can become another god.
2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…" (20:4–6)
God is not to be represented or worshipped through idols. He is greater than anything we can make, and he reveals himself on his own terms.
3. "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain." (20:7)
God's name represents his character. We must not use it carelessly, falsely or emptily — whether in swearing, making false promises, or claiming God's name while living in contradiction to it.
4. "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." (20:8–11)
One day in seven was set apart for rest and worship, following God's pattern in creation. The Sabbath was a gift: rest for people, servants and even animals. Christians differ on how this commandment applies today; many set apart Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection, for worship and rest.
5. "Honour thy father and thy mother." (20:12)
This is the first commandment with a promise attached (Ephesians 6:2). Honouring parents includes respect, care and gratitude — especially important in Indian families, where caring for elderly parents is a deeply valued duty.
6. "Thou shalt not kill." (20:13)
Many translations render this "You shall not murder." Human life is sacred because people are made in God's image (Genesis 9:6). Jesus taught that even hateful anger breaks the spirit of this command (Matthew 5:21–22).
7. "Thou shalt not commit adultery." (20:14)
God protects the faithfulness of marriage. Jesus extended this to the heart: lustful looking is also sin (Matthew 5:27–28).
8. "Thou shalt not steal." (20:15)
God protects people's property and livelihood. Stealing includes dishonest business, cheating in work, and failing to pay fair wages.
9. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." (20:16)
Originally concerned with lying in court, this commandment calls for truthfulness in all our speech, protecting others' reputations.
10. "Thou shalt not covet…" (20:17)
This final commandment goes to the heart. Coveting means wanting what belongs to someone else. It shows that God's law is concerned not only with actions but with desires.
How are the commandments numbered?
Christian traditions number the commandments slightly differently. Many Protestant and Orthodox churches follow the order above. Catholic and Lutheran traditions combine the first two and divide the tenth into two (coveting a neighbour's wife and coveting his goods). The content is the same; only the grouping differs.
Jesus and the commandments
When asked which commandment was greatest, Jesus summarised the whole law:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22:37–39, KJV)
Jesus said he came not to destroy the law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). He kept it perfectly and showed its true depth.
What is the purpose of the commandments?
Christians have often described three uses of God's law:
- A mirror — showing us our sin and our need of God's grace (Romans 3:20; 7:7).
- A guide — showing believers how to live in a way that pleases God.
- A guard — restraining evil in society.
The New Testament teaches that we are not made right with God by keeping the commandments, but through faith in Christ. Yet those who are forgiven want to live according to God's good ways, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
For reflection
- Which commandment do I find hardest to keep?
- What "other gods" compete for my heart?
- How can I show love to God and my neighbour this week?
Continue with the tabernacle, or go back to Exodus. Families and Sunday schools may enjoy teaching the commandments with resources from our Sunday school books.