Understanding the Ten Commandments

    The "Ten Commandments" make up one of the most influential documents in Jewish and Western civilization.  They formed the core of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel, established at Mount Sinai ca, 1446 B.C.  Because of the Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization, they also became basic legal principles in British and American government/society.  Thus, they are an element of the Old Testament that Christians really need to understand.

The Decalogue

        Sometimes you might see the 10 Commandments referred to as "The Decalogue" and this is merely taken from the Greek phrase which meant "ten words." 

       Divisions of the Commandments - Modern Judaism regards Exodus 20:1/Deuteronomy 5:6 as commandment #1 and then combines Exodus 20:3-6/Deuteronomy 5:7-10 into #2.  Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism combine Exodus 20:3-6/Deuteronomy 5:7-9 as #1 and split Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 into #9 & #10.  John Calvin divided Exodus 20:3-11/Deuteronomy 5:7-15 into #1-4 (duties to God) and Exodus 20:12-17/Deuteronomy 5:16-21 into #5-10 (duties to man).  This is to be preferred on the basis of Mark 10:19 and Mosaic material.  For further discussion of the division, see: Keil & Delitzsch' Commentary on the Pentateuch, pp.108ff.

What the Ten Commandments Were

       The 10 Commandments were "the Covenant" (Exodus 34:27,28; Deuteronomy 4:13) God made at Mt. Sinai with the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:3-6; 34:27; Deuteronomy 5:1-6) to be performed in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 4:14).  The "10 Commandments" did not/never have applied to everyone in the world, but were agreed to by Israel as the ongoing terms of the covenant they were making there with God (Exodus 19:3-8; 24:3-8).  Thus, these laws did NOT apply to Gentiles unless they specifically sought entrance into that covenant (Exodus 12:42-49) and this left most Gentiles OUTSIDE the covenant (Ephesians 2:11,12; Romans 9:4).  The Mosaic Law was a temporary guard and guide to protect the national of Israel until the promised Messiah arrived (Galatians 3) and, with the first coming of Jesus, the Mosaic Law has ceased to be the current “covenant” between God and His people (Hebrews 8).

A Guide for Topical Study

I. The "Book of the Covenant" - Legislation

       1. No "gods" but the Lord (Ex. 20:3,5; 22:20; 23:13,24; Lev. 20:1-5; Dt.4:15-19; 5:7; 12:30-32; 13:1-17; 17:2-5; 29:17-21)

       2. No idolatry (Ex. 20:4,23; 34:17; Lev. 19:4; 26:1; Dt. 4:15-18,23,25,28; 5:8; 7:25f; 16:21,22; 27:15; 29:17-21)

       3. Do not profane the NAME (Ex. 20:7; 22:28; Lev. 19:12; 24:10-16,23; Dt. 5:11)

       4. Keep the Sabbaths (Ex. 20:8-11; 23:10-12; 31:12-17; 35:1-3; Lev. 19:3,30; 23; 25:1-8; 26:2; Nu. 15:32-36; Dt. 5:12-15)

       5. Honor father & mother (Ex. 20:12; 21:15,17; Lev. 19:3; 20:9; Dt. 5:16; 21:18-21; 27:16)

       6. Do not murder (Ex. 20:13; 21:12-14; Lev. 24:17,21; Dt. 5:17; 19:11-13)

       7. No adultery (Ex. 20:14; Lev. 20:10; Nu. 5:11-31; Dt. 5:18; 22:22; 27:20)

       8. Do not steal (Ex. 20:15; 22:1-4; Lev. 19:11; Dt. 5:19)

       9. Do not bear false witness (Ex. 20:16; Lev. 19:11; Dt. 5:20)

       10. Do not covet (Ex. 20:17; Dt. 5:21)

       11. "Altars" of worship (Ex. 20:24-26; Dt. 27:6)

       12. On Slavery (Ex. 21:2-11; Lev. 25:39-55; Dt. 15:12-18; 21:10-14; 23:15,16)

       13. Kidnapping (Ex. 21:16; Dt. 24:7)

       14. Injuries (Ex. 21:18-27; Lev. 24:19,20; Dt. 22:8)

       15. Matters involving animals (Ex. 21:28-36; 23:4,5; Lev. 20:25; 24:18,21; Dt. 22:1-4,6,7; 25:4)

       16. Matters of property (Ex. 22:5-15; Lev. 25:23-34; Dt. 19:14; 27:17)

       17. Matters of sexual seduction/fornication/rape/perversion/incest (Ex. 22:16-17,19; Lev. 18:1-23; 19:20,29; 20:11-21; 21:9; Dt. 22:5,23-30; 23:17; 27:20-23)

       18. Sorcery/occult (Ex. 22:18; Lev. 19:26,31; 20:6,27; Dt. 18:9-12)

       19. Against oppression (Ex. 22:21-24; Lev. 19:13,14,33; Dt. 24:14,15; 27:18)

       20. Financial matters/lending (Ex. 22:25-27; Dt. 15:1-3; 23:19,20; 24:6,10-15,17)

       21. Attitude toward superiors (Ex. 22:28; Lev. 19:32; 24:15)

       22. Sacrifices/Offerings (Ex. 22:29,30; 23:18,19; 34:25,26; Lev. 1:1-6:7; 19:5-8,21,22; 22:17-33; Nu. 5:5-10; 15:1-14,17- 28; 28; 29; Dt. 14:22-26; 15:19-23; 17:1; 23:18; 26)

       23. Matters pertaining to food (Ex. 22:31; Lev. 11; 17:15,16; 19:26; Dt. 14:3-21)

       24. Matters pertaining to Justice (Ex. 23:1-3,6-8; Lev. 19:15; Dt. 16:18-20; 17:2-13; 19:11-21; 21:1-9,18-23; 22:13-29; 24:16,17; 25:1-3,11,12; 27:19,25)

       25. Three Great Feasts: Passover, Pentecost, Booths (Ex. 23:14-17; 34:18-24; Lev. 23; Nu. 9:1-14; Dt. 16:1-17)

       26. Conquering Canaan (Ex. 23:20-33; 33:1,2; 34:11-16; Nu. 33:50-56; Dt. 7:1-5,16-26; 12:1-3)

       27. Tabernacle (Ex. 25-27;30-31:11; 35:4-38:31; 39:32-40:16; Lev. 19:30; 24:1-9; 26:2; Nu. 1:50f; 3:5-39; 4; 8; 10:1-10)

       28. Priests/Levites (Ex. 28,29; 39:1-31; Lev. 6:8-8:3; 10:8-15; 21:10-24; 22:1-16; Nu. 3:2-4; 18:1-32; Dt. 14:27-29; 18:1-8)

       29. Levitical Health Regulations (Lev. 12-15; Nu.5:1-4; Dt. 23:12,13; 24:8)

       30. Atonement Day (Lev. 16:1-17:14; 23:26-32)

       31. Benevolence (Lev. 19:9,10; 25:35-38; Dt. 15:4-11; 24:19-22)

       32. Attitude/conduct toward neighbors (Lev. 19:17,18; Dt. 10:19; 27:18,24,25)

       33. Mixtures (Lev. 19:19; Dt. 22:9-11)

       34. Agriculture (Lev. 19:9,10,23-25; 23:10-14,22; 25:1-22)

       35. Care of the body (Lev. 19:27,28; 21:5; Dt. 23:12,13)

       36. Pertaining to Death (Lev. 19:28; 21:1-5; Dt. 14:1; 26:14)

       37. Honesty in Business practices (Lev. 19:11,35,36; 25:14-17; Dt. 25:13-16)

       38. Marriage (Lev. 21:7,13-15; Dt. 21:10-17; 22:13-21,28,29; 24:1-5; 25:5-10)

       39. Valuations (Lev. 27)

       40. Nazarite Vow/vows (Nu. 6:1-21; 30; Dt. 23:21-23)

       41. Elders/Council (Ex. 18:13-26; Nu. 11:16,17)

       42. Red Heifer (Nu. 19)

       43. Laws of Inheritance in Canaan (Nu. 27:1-11; 33:54; 34; 36; Dt. 19:14; 27:17)

       44. Levite cities in Canaan/cities of refuge (Nu. 35:1-34; Dt. 4:41-43; 19:1-10)

       45. Do not "test" God (Dt. 6:16)

       46. A Divinely-established worship center (Dt. 12:5-14,17,18,21,26,27; 14:22-26; 16:2,5,6,11, 15,16; 25:2)

       47. Laws regarding Israelite kings (Dt. 17:14-20)

       48. On testing false prophets (Dt. 13; 18:20-22)

       49. Laws on Warfare (Dt. 20; 21:10ff; 23:9-14; 24:5)

       50. Those excluded from the Assembly (Dt. 23:1-8)

       51. Travel Food privileges (Dt. 23:24,25)

II. The Mosaic Law and the Land of Canaan

       A. There was only one Law in place for both Jews and Gentiles in the land of Canaan - Ex. 12:42-49; Lev. 18:26; 19:34; 24:16,22; Nu. 9:14; 10:29- 33; 15:14-16,26,29; Dt. 24:21; 26:11-13; 27:19; 29:10-12

       B. Mosaic Covenant Blessings:

               - were physical & material - Ex. 15:26; Lev. 25:19,21; 26:4-10; Dt. 7:12-15; 8:7-13; 11:13-17; 26:15; 29:22-28; 30:1-9

               - tied to living in the land of Canaan - Ex. 20:12; Lev. 18:24-28; 20:22-24; 25:18,19; 26:4ff; Dt. 4:1,5,14,25f,40; 5:16,31,33; 6:1,3,18; 7:12-15; 8:1,19,20; 11:8,9,12-15,21; 23:20; 26:1,9; 30:1-5,15-20; 31:13; 32:47

               - conditioned on obedience to the covenant - Ex. 15:26; 19:5,6; 20:12; Lev. 25:18,19; 26:3f,14f; Dt. 4:1,5,14,25f,40; 5:16,31; 6:3,18; 7:12-15; 8:1; 11:13-28; 12:1; Dt. 24:20; 27:26; 28; 29:9,14-28; 30:1-10,15-20; 32:46,47

III. God is a Faithful Covenant-Keeper

     To understand the nature of God, one of the primary characteristics that God has revealed to us about Himself is that He makes and faithfully keeps His covenants (Exodus 20:5,6; 34:6,7; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 4:31; 7:9,10).

       A. God's faithfulness/patience with Israel Based in His Promise to the Patriarchs (Ge. 12:1-3; 15; 17; 26:1-4; 28:10-14; 50:24) - Ex. 6:8; 33:1; Lev. 26:42; Nu. 32:11; Dt. 1:8; 4:31,37; 6:10; 7:7,8; 8:18; 9:5,27; 10:11,15; 13:17; 29:13; 30:20; 31:20; 34:4; 2 Kgs. 13:23; Acts 13:32; 26:6; Rom. 9:5; 11:28f; 15:8

       B. God's patience with Israel based in His promise to David - 2 Sam. 7:8-16; 1Kgs. 11:11-13,32,34,36; 15:4,5; 2 Kgs. 8:19; 19:34; 20:6; 2Chr. 13:5; 21:7; Ps. 132:1; Is. 37:35; Mt. 1:1; 12:23; Lk. 1:32,69; 20:41; Jn. 7:42; Rom. 1:1-3; 2Tim. 2:8; Rev. 3:7; 5:5; 22:16

       C. God's anger kindled, ready to destroy Israel and start over: Ex. 32:10; Nu. 14:12; 16:20,21,45; Dt. 9:14.  However, due to His faithfulness in keeping His promise to the Patriarchs, God postponed His punishment (Ex. 32:34) and brought only a partial destruction through Assyria & Babylon which he specifically tied to "covenant- breaking" (Deut. 28:15,45-50; Jer. 34:17-20).  When the Jews were about to commit their greatest act of "covenant- breaking" (Deut. 18:18,19), they very clearly/openly accepted the responsibility for their actions (Mt. 27:23-25). However, the destruction of 70 A.D. was the long-postponed final break with the stubborn nation of Israel (Mt. 21:43; 23:29-38; Lk. 19:41-44; 21:20-24; 2Th. 2:14-16; et al).

Paul's View of the Mosaic Law

       Paul had much to say to those struggling to know how to view the Mosaic Law in the context of a New Covenant being in place.  In his explanation, he said the Mosaic Law came in to make the world accountable and identify sin (Romans 3:19,20), to increase the transgression (Romans 5:20), to give a knowledge of sin (Romans 7:7,13), that in its character and proper purpose it was holy, righteous, good, and spiritual (Romans 7:12,14), and it was written for later generations to learn from (Romans 15:4;  1Corinthians 10:11).  It was "added" to the promise to Abraham because of transgressions and to be a custodian or tutor to prepare Israel for Christ (Galatians 3:19,23,24).  It was made to control the unrighteous rather than the righteous (1Timothy 1:8-10).  The Law is able to give the wisdom that leads one to embrace the Messiah and it is profitable for teaching / reproof / correction / training in righteousness/equipping saints for service (2Timothy 3:15-17).  It was a shadow pointing ahead to better things coming later (Colossians 2:16f; Hebrews 10:1).  The Mosaic Law was very good for what it was intended to be - a law-system to govern and protect Israel until the Messiah came forth.  However, the Law was NOT intended to be an alternative system of salvation competing with God's gracious provision of salvation for all through the Promised Messiah.  Jews (and others) who try to make "keeping the Law" a way of salvation create one of the major theological errors that has confused people for centuries.

       Along with the positive things he had to say about the Mosaic Law, Paul also pointed out weaknesses or things the Mosaic Law was not intended  to do.

     (1) It was preoccupied with the "outer man" (Mark 7:14ff; Hebrews 9:9)

     (2) It was filled with "curses" and death (Deuteronomy 27:13-26; 28:15ff; Galatians 3:10)

     (3) There was no Christ in it, only the promise of One to come

     (4) It taught men the very sins it prohibited (Romans 7:7)

     (5) It had no promise of the Holy Spirit in it for all covenant members

     (6) It had no eternal Mediator in God's presence (Hebrews 7:22-25)

     (7) It could NOT "justify" a man before God (Romans 3:20,28; Galatians 2:16; 3:11)

     (8) Eternal righteousness did NOT come through the Law (Galatians 2:21; 3:21)

     (9) It could NOT give the promised inheritance (Galatians 3:18)

     (10) It could NOT function with NT Grace (Galatians 5:1-4)

     (11) It could NOT free men from sin (Acts 13:38,39)

     (12) It could NOT impart eternal life (Galatians 3:21), but was a "killer" (Romans 7:9;  2Corinthians 3:6,7,9)

     The Law condemned failure (Deuteronomy 27:26) and "administrating" the Mosaic Covenant required the killing of unrepentant law-breakers, capital punishment for certain crimes, and killing sacrificial animals.  The Law could NOT make anything "perfect" (Hebrews 7:19).  The problem was not something inherent in the Law itself, but the weakness of human flesh (Romans 8:3; Acts 15:5-10).

What About the Ten Commandments Now?

     Without understanding the principles of covenant thinking, it is difficult to avoid confusion in reference to the 10 Commandments and the New Covenant.  Some have taught that the 10 Commandments, unlike the rest of the Mosaic Law, were "universal and eternal" and have always been legally binding on all people.  Others can see that most of the 10 were reaffirmed in the NT and, therefore, assume that all 10 continue in full force. Some groups even hold their worship assemblies on Saturday and maintain a portion of the food restrictions.  Others, arguing for the continuance of a legal system, suggest that the 10 commandments must be in force to keep us from sinning.  There are also those who are so zealous for the "New" covenant that they assert that all of the Mosaic Law has been done away with, including all ten of the 10 Commandments.

     The best answer to such an issue will come from the supreme interpreter of the Mosaic Law: Jesus!  How did Jesus handle the Mosaic Law and what did He teach His apostles about it?  Jesus summarized the whole Mosaic Law under one principle: Love (Mt. 7:12; 22: 35-40; Jn. 13:34; cf. Dt. 6:4,5; Lev. 19:18) for God and fellow man.  Jesus' apostles carried on the same view (Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:8).

The Continuity of 9/10 of the Decalogue

     The most pointed descriptions of the status of the Mosaic Law/Covenant following Jesus' coming are found in Galatians 3 and Hebrews 8 - the Law was a temporary system for national Israel in Canaan until the Messiah appeared, but now that He has come and broadened the scope of God's program to its intended international phase, the Mosaic system has become obsolete and its furniture (the Levitical Tabernacle/Temple) was removed in 70 A.D.  While sound principles of covenant thought rule out an inherent "eternality" and "universal" application of the Mosaic Law, nine of the Ten Commandments were discussed, expanded, and/or re-affirmed in the New Covenant system as principles with enduring value.  Much like elements of a will that are carried over into a newer version, these principles are valuable because they are part of the New Testament not because they are "eternal."

     Worship God only (Ex.20:3; Dt.5:7; cf. Mt.4:10; Jn.4:21; 5:44; 1Cor.8:6; Rev.19:10; 22:9)

     Do not make/worship idols (Ex.20:4-6; Dt.5:8-10; cf. Acts 15:20; 1Cor.6:9,10; Gal.5:20; Eph. 5:5; 1Jn.5:21)

     Honor God's Name (Ex.20:7; Dt.5:11; cf. Mt.5:33-36; Php.2:5-11)

     Honor your parents (Ex.20:12; Dt.5:16; cf. Eph.6:1-4)

     Do not murder (Ex.20:13; Dt.5:17; cf. Mt.5:21f; 19:18; Rom.13:9; Jas.2:11; 1Pet.4:15; 1Jn.3:14,15)

     Do not commit adultery (Ex.20:14; Dt.5:18; cf. Mt.5:27,28; 19:18; Rom.13:9; 1Cor.6:9,10; Heb.13:4; Jas.2:11)

     Do not steal (Ex.20:15; Dt.5:19; cf. Mt.7:12; Eph.4:28; 1Pet.4:15)

     Do not bear false witness (Ex. 20:16; Dt.5:20; cf. 1Pet. 3:9-11; Eph. 4:25)

     Do not covet (Ex. 20:17; Dt. 5:21; cf. Rom. 7:7-14; Eph. 5:5).

       The only one of the 10 Commandments which was not continued as a part of the New Covenant was the weekly Sabbath day, which was a ceremonial reminder tied specifically to national Israel (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).  Under the Israelite theocracy, a universal "day off" for all slaves and animals had civil support.  However, the new covenant is not tied to a specific land area and political system.  Consider the fate of a Christian slave in the Roman Empire that would be required to serve an unbelieving master seven days a week if he had to also observe the Jewish Sabbath, which was NOT supported by Roman civil law!  Like the food restrictions, the ceremonial Sabbath day requirement had to be dropped if the Gospel was going to spread throughout the world and reach all social, economic, and national groups without each Gentile government first adopting the entire Mosaic code.  Observing the Sabbath is altered in the NT as follows.  First, Jesus taught that His followers, as priests, could work in God's service on the Sabbath and be guiltless (Matthew 12:1-6).  Second, "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27) indicates that the Sabbath was intended to be a benefit to man rather than a burdensome ceremonial restriction.  Third, he taught that He was "Lord of the Sabbath" and had authority over the Mosaic commandments (Matthew 12:8).  Fourth, Paul taught that both foods and special days now come under the heading of "opinion" rather than Law and that it was acceptable for a godly man to treat “all days the same” (Romans 14:1-6).  Fifth, Paul also taught that, following Christ's death, the "barrier . . . enmity . . . Law of commandments" that separated Jew and Gentile had been torn down (Ephesians 2:14,15) and that Jesus' disciples did not need to submit to anyone else as their judge concerning the observance of Jewish ceremonial law on foods, festivals, "or a Sabbath day" (Colossians 2:14,16,17).  Sixth, Paul was concerned that his Galatian converts were turning back to the observance of Judaism's "days, months, seasons, and years" (Galatians 3:2,3,24,25; 4:9-11,21ff).  Seventh, the writer of Hebrews describes the New Covenant "Sabbath" as future and heavenly, not weekly (Hebrews 4:1-11).

       The moral and ethical standards expressed in the Mosaic Law were, largely, retained in the New Covenant System.  The "sacred writings" which Timothy had known "from childhood" which were able to give "the wisdom that leads to salvation" and "...training in righteousness" (2Timothy 3:16,17) were the OT Scriptures!  The Old Covenant Scriptures were adopted by the New Covenant people for their value as essential background material, but not as continuing, binding covenant legislation.  Both Romans 15:4 and 1Corinthians 10:11 tell us that the Law/Prophets/Writings were written for "our instruction" and we can learn from the history, wisdom, and examples.  The OT Scriptures lay the foundations for NT categories, concepts, and terms.  We can retain the OT Scriptures as valid history and background information without going under the Mosaic Law as our current legal constitution and religious covenant law!  Perhaps, we can adapt Paul's statement in Philippians 4:8 as a guide to our appreciation of the OT.  Whatever was good and enduring in the Mosaic Law is still with us (Romans 7:12,14; 1Timothy 1:8-10) - this is why so much of it is reflected in the New Testament Scriptures.  Just don't go beyond the Apostles in what you try to retain or you will begin to create divisions as different uninspired law-makers always select different items to bring over or exclude!

A Ministry of Severn Christian Church (Severn, Maryland)

Unless otherwise noted, all material produced by Charles E. McCoy

All Scripture citations/quotations from New American Standard Bible

To send a question to Chuck: chuck@severnchristian.org