The Ten Commandments in our day
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| I am Yahweh (Jehovah, Yehovah, Jahweh, Yahweh)[1] your God | Prologue | |
| 1 | You shall have no other gods before me | Matthew 22:37;Mark 12:30;Luke 10:27;1 Corinthians 16:22;Ephesians 6:24;2 Thessalonians 3:5;Philemon 5;James 1:12;Jude 21;1 Corinthians 8:4 |
| 2 | You shall not make for yourself an idol | 1 Corinthians 6:9;1 Corinthians 8:4;1 Corinthians 10:19-20;Acts 15:20;2 Corinthians 6:16;1 Thessalonians 1:9;1 John 5:21;Romans 1:23 |
| 3 | You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh | Matthew 5:33-37;Matthew 23:16-22;James 5:12 |
| 4 | Remember the Sabbath day | Colossians 2:16-17;Hebrews 8:5;Hebrews 10:1;Romans 14:5;Galatians 4:9-11 |
| 5 | Honor your father and mother | Luke 2:51;Matthew 15:4-6;Matthew 19:16-19;Mark 7:10-12;Mark 10:19;Luke 18:20;Ephesians 6:2-3 |
| 6 | You shall not kill | Matthew 5:21-22;Matthew 19:16-19;Mark 10:19;Luke 18:20;Romans 13:9 |
| 7 | You shall not commit adultery | Matthew 5:27-28;Matthew 5:32;Matthew 19:9;Matthew 19:18;Mark 10:11-12;Mark 10:19;Luke 16:18;Romans 13:9;James 2:11;2 Peter 2:14;1 Corinthians 6:9 |
| 8 | You shall not steal | Matthew 19:18;Mark 10:19;Luke 18:20;Romans 13:9;Titus 2:10 |
| 9 | You shall not bear false witness | Colossians 3:9;James 3:14;Matthew 19:18;Mark 10:19;Luke 18:20;Romans 13:9 |
| 10 | You shall not covet your neighbor’s house You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife | 1 Corinthians 5:11;Ephesians 5:3;Colossians 3:5;Hebrews 13:5;2 Peter 2:3;2 Peter 2:14 |
We see God’s real desire in his dealings with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was before the Ten Commandments and the law.
It was about a relationship of promise, said relationship to produce loyalty from the heart rather than outward obedience only.
Solomon articulated this in (Pro 23:26) “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways”
This is carried over into the NT as Christians are called “Children of Abraham” (Gal 3:7) and “Abraham’s seed” (Gal 3:29).
“All Your Heart” (relating to the Lord) is found 21 times in the Bible (all your/thy/thine heart) 17X in the OT, and 3 in the NT. 7X Love 6X Serve 5X Obey 4X Turn/Return 2X Seek/Fear 1X Hear/Know/Trust/Believe/Turn Not Aside/Put Away/Prepare Your Hearts The NT occurrences command Love 3X, and Believe 1X, putting the emphasis clearly on the internal, and not outward conformity. Matthew adds “all thy soul” and “all thy mind“, also internal. Mark, and Luke repeat, but also add “all thy strength” which could be a working out of the faith within.
The first two commandments present our required attitude toward the Godhead.
Commandment #1: You shall have no other gods before me
The first commandment asserts the Godhead IS to be before all else in the thoughts, words, and deeds of our lives.
The following scriptures indicate this commandment is still in force in the NT. In the NT it is applied to ALL!
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37)”And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)”And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” (Luke 10:27)”If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha.” (1 Corinthians 16:22)”Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians 6:24)”And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:5)”hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;” (Philemon 5)”Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.“(James 1:12)”keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 21)”As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” (1 Corinthians 8:4)
Commandment #2: You shall not make for yourself an idol
The second commandment asserts everything else IS NOT to have that place. This has not changed from OT to the NT. In the NT it is applied to ALL!
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” (1 Corinthians 6:9)”As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” (1 Corinthians 8:4)”What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-20)”But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” (Acts 15:20)”And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)”For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” (1 Thessalonians 1:9)”Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” (1 John 5:21)”and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:23)
Commandment #3: You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh
Speaking any of the names of the Godhead lightly is still offensive to the members of the Godhead. Using it in an oath is spoken against.
In his careful study of the Ten Commandments, the Dutch scholar Jochem Douma mentions three ways that God’s name was commonly profaned in Old Testament times: in sorcery, in false prophecy, and in the taking of false oaths.[2]“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God‘s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” (Matthew 5:33-37)”Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.” (Matthew 23:16-22)”But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” (James 5:12)
Commandment #4: Remember the Sabbath day
While the Sabbath is no longer commanded, the first day of the week is mentioned three times as being significant to the NT believer. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) suggests we will benefit from coming together to worship our Lord, observe the remembrance feast the Lord instituted as it was in the early days of the NT. “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7) and edify one another.
This day was also seen as a convenient time to gather a collection to be used to help man, and bring honour to God. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Mat 12:1-8, Mk 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5 Eating from field Mat 12:9-13, Mk 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11;13:10-17;14:1-6, Jn 5:1-15;7:14-24;9:13-16 Healing[3]“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)”Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Hebrews 8:5)”For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” (Hebrews 10:1)”One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)”But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Galatians 4:9-11)
In the words of John MacArthur:
“The Sabbath would also stand, therefore, as a counter to evolutionary ideas prevalent in false religion. Moses, in the review of the Decalogue, also linked the observance of the Sabbath with Israel’s exodus from Egypt and specified that this was why Israel was to keep it (Deut. 5:12-15). Significantly, the command for the Sabbath is not repeated in the NT, whereas the other 9 are. In fact, it is nullified (cf. Col. 2:16-17). Belonging especially to Israel under the Mosaic economy, the Sabbath could not apply to the believer of the church age, for he is living in a new economy.[4]“ (MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 125). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.)
Commandment #5: Honor your father and mother
Our Lord, both by example (Luke 2:51), and re-statement in these other scriptures, re-affirms this command.
“And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)”For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” (Matthew 15:4-6)”And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:16-19)”For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;” (Mark 7:10-12)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” (Luke 18:20)”Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3)
Commandment #6: You shall not kill
Does not the NT take this even further, condemning anger and hatred that could lead to murder?
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22)”And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 19:16-19)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” (Luke 18:20)
Commandment #7: You shall not commit adultery
Does not the NT take this even further, condemning the look of lust that could lead to adultery, and restating emphatically the marriage bond is not to be broken lightly?
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)”But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” (Matthew 5:32)”And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matthew 19:9)”He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,” (Matthew 19:18)”And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:11-12)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)”Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” (Luke 16:18)”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.” (Romans 13:9)”For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:11)”Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14)”Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Commandment #8: You shall not steal
Does not the NT take this even further, condemning covetousness that could lead to theft?
“He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,” (Matthew 19:18)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” (Luke 18:20)”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.” (Romans 13:9)”Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” (Titus 2:10)
Commandment #9: You shall not bear false witness
Clearly restated in the NT
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” (Colossians 3:9)”But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” (James 3:14)”He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,” (Matthew 19:18)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.” (Mark 10:19)”Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.” (Luke 18:20)”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.” (Romans 13:9)
Commandment #10: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife
“Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:1-13)”But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” (1 Corinthians 5:11)”But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” (Ephesians 5:3)”Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:” (Colossians 3:5)”Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)”And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:3)”Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14)Note: All references are from the KJV 1900[1] Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 140). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.[2] Ryken, P. G., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Exodus: saved for God’s glory (pp. 579-580). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.[3] Diebel, B. (n.d.). Questions On Dispensations.[4] MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 125). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
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