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The Lord’s Commandments – Relationship with God
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:2–3)
Explanation of the Commandment: The foundation of the covenant. God liberates from slavery and demands undivided trust. It warns against binding ultimate loyalty to material goods, power, or ideologies.
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.” (Ex 20:7)
Explanation of the Commandment: God’s name represents His person and presence. This commandment protects against instrumentalizing religion or God’s authority for one’s own purposes, fanaticism, or to justify injustice.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex 20:8)
Explanation of the Commandment: The Sabbath interrupts the pure compulsion of exploitation and labor. It recalls creation and grants humanity space for worship, community, freedom, and deep inner peace.
The Lord’s Commandments – Duties to Others
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Ex 20:12)
Explanation of the Commandment: A link between God and humanity. It honors the origin of life and secures the generational contract as well as intergenerational responsibility and care in society.
“You shall not murder.” (Ex 20:13)
Explanation of the Commandment: The Hebrew verb ratsach prohibits the unlawful, violent killing of a human being. Human life is inviolable, as humanity is created in the image of God. Jesus expands this in the Sermon on the Mount to include protection from emotional harm, hatred, and destructive words.
“You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14)
Explanation of the Commandment: Protection of reliable partnership and faithfulness. The exclusivity and commitment of marriage reflect the reliability of the divine covenant and protect the foundation of communal life.
“You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15)
Explanation of the Commandment: Respect for the property and livelihood of one’s neighbor. It prohibits economic exploitation, fraud, and unjust enrichment at the expense of the vulnerable.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16)
Explanation of the Commandment: Protection of dignity, reputation, and truth in the social sphere. It condemns lies, slander, and defamation that erode communities.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife…” (Ex 20:17a)
Explanation of the Commandment: Aims at the inner attitude of the heart. It protects the innermost sphere of marriage and partnership from selfish objectification and destructive covetousness.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, or his servant… or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Ex 20:17b)
Explanation of the Commandment: Uncovers the root of envy and social discord. It calls for freedom from greed and for granting one’s neighbor their happiness and property.
