The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What does
this mean? We
should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second
Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
What does
this mean? We
should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie,
or deceive by His name, but in every trouble call upon it, pray, praise, and
give thanks.
The Third Commandment
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
What does
this mean? 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
Honor your father and your mother.
What does
this mean? We should
fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other
authorities, but honor, serve, obey, love, and cherish them.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
What does
this mean? We
should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his
body, but help and support him in every bodily need
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit
adultery.
What does this
mean? We should fear and love
God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and
husband and wife love and honor each other.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that
we do not take our neighbor's money or possessions, or get them in any
dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false
testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that
we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his
reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the
kindest way.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your
neighbor's house.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not
scheme to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, or get it in a way which
only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall no covet your
neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or
anything that belongs to your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not
entice or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them
against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
Close of the Commandments
What does God say about all these commandments? He
says: "I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children
for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those
who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who
love Me and keep My commandments." [Exodus 20:5-6]
What does this mean? God
threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we
should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. 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.
