What are the Ten Commandments?
Quick Answer
The Ten Commandments are God's foundational moral laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, summarizing our duties to God (commandments 1-4) and to our neighbor (commandments 5-10).
Understanding The Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also called the Decalogue ('ten words'), are the core of the Mosaic Law written by God's own finger on stone tablets. They represent the heart of the covenant between God and Israel. The first four commandments address our relationship with God: having no other gods, avoiding idolatry, not taking God's name in vain, and keeping the Sabbath. The remaining six address human relationships: honoring parents, not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, and not coveting. Jesus summarized all the commandments in two: love God with all your being, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). The commandments reveal God's moral character and expose human inability to perfectly obey, driving us to Christ for salvation.
In the Old Testament
God gave the Ten Commandments to Israel at Mount Sinai amid thunder, lightning, and the mountain shrouded in smoke (Exodus 19-20). This dramatic setting underscored the holiness of God and the seriousness of His commands. The tablets were placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying their supreme importance. Moses later repeated them to the new generation before entering Canaan (Deuteronomy 5). The commandments formed the foundation for Israel's entire legal system, with other laws expanding and applying these core principles.
In the New Testament
Jesus affirmed the validity of the commandments while deepening their meaning. Murder includes anger; adultery includes lustful looks (Matthew 5:21-28). He confronted those who kept the letter while violating the spirit of the Law. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized all ten in the dual command to love God and neighbor. Paul taught that the law's righteous requirement is fulfilled in believers who walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:4). The commandments remain as moral guides, though Christians are saved by grace through faith, not by law-keeping.
Key Scripture References
“And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God... Thou shalt have no other gods before me...”
Read full commentary →Matthew 22:37-40“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. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Read full commentary →Romans 13:9“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Read full commentary →Deuteronomy 5:6-21“I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt have none other gods before me...”
Read full commentary →Exodus 31:18“And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”
Read full commentary →Matthew 5:19“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Read full commentary →Related Concepts
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