The Ten Commandments
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.
[The Ten Commandments are found in Exodus 20:1-14.]
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What is this? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.
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, practice witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
The Third Commandment
You shall set apart 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.
The Fourth Commandment
You shall honor 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 honor them, and serve and obey, love and value them.
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 neighbor, but help and support him in every bodily need.
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 honors their spouse.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What is this? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them by deception or dishonesty, but help him to improve and protect his property and income.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
What is this? We should fear and love God so that we do not lie about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or give him a bad reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What is this? We should fear and love God so that we do not seek to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house by deceit, or take it by a pretense of justice, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, servants, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
What is this? We should fear and love God so that we do not alienate, force or entice away our neighbor’s wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
What does God Say about all these commandments?
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.
