The Ten Commandments
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What is this?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The First Commandment)
The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of your God.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, practise witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Second Commandment)
The Third Commandment
You shall sanctify the day of worship.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Third Commandment)
The Fourth Commandment
You shall honour your father and your mother.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents or those in authority over us, but honour them, and serve and obey, love and value them.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Fourth Commandment)
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not kill.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not physically hurt or harm our neighbour, but help and support him in every bodily need.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Fifth Commandment)
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we live chastely and decently in our words and actions, and everyone loves and honours their spouse.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Sixth Commandment)
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbour’s money or possessions, or get them by deception or dishonesty, but help him to improve and protect his property and income.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Seventh Commandment)
The Eight Commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not lie about our neighbour, betray him, slander him, or give him a bad reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Eight Commandment)
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbour’s house.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not seek to get our neighbour’s inheritance or house by deceit, or take it by a pretence of justice, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Ninth & Tenth Commandment)
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, servants, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
What is this?
We should fear and love God so that we do not alienate, force or entice away our neighbour’s wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - The Ninth & Tenth Commandment)
Conclusion
What does God Say about all these commandments?
He says (Exod. 20:5f):
He says, “I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
What is this?
God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do what He commands.
(Go deeper with The Large Catechism - Conclusion of the Ten Commandments)
This translation is by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (2016). Distributed under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-SA 4.0 (Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International)