WHAT THE BIBLE & OUR FAITH DOCTRINE SAY ABOUT:

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

The Ten Commandments are a description of the basic freedom from sin that is necessary to live as a Christian. Please see below for many references that can help us understand more clearly the meaning of the Ten Commandments and how we can better follow them, beyond memorizing them in word.

 

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WHERE ARE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS IN THE BIBLE?

 

While the account of God handing down the Ten Commandments to Moses is greatly outlined in both Exodus 20:2-17 (the Ten Commandments) and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 (the Decalogue), references to the Laws of I AM can be found throughout the Old and New Testaments.

 

 

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE FOOTNOTES

 

FOR THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

Exodus 20:1-17. The precise numbering and division of these precepts into “ten commandments” is somewhat uncertain. Traditionally, among Catholics and Lutherans, Exodus 20:1-6 are considered as only one commandment, and verse 17 as two. The Anglican, Greek Orthodox, and Reformed churches count Exodus 20:1-6 as two, and verse 17 as one.

 

Cf. Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The traditional designation as “ten” is not found here but in Exodus 34:28 (and also Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:4), where these precepts are alluded to literally as “the ten words.” That they were originally written on two tablets appears in Exodus 32:15-16, 34:28-29; Deuteronomy 4:13 and 10:2-4.

 

 

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

 

(CCC) REFERENCES

 

The Commandments express man's fundamental duties to God and neighbor. As such, they represent grave obligations. To violate them knowingly & willingly in a significant way is to commit mortal sin (CCC #1854- 1864).

 

Also explore our related link for the 7 deadly sins.

 

CCC #2056 states "The word "Decalogue" means literally "ten words."11 God revealed these "ten words" to his people on the holy mountain. They were written "with the finger of God,"12 unlike the other commandments written by Moses.13 They are pre-eminently the words of God. They are handed on to us in the books of Exodus14 and Deuteronomy.15 Beginning with the Old Testament, the sacred books refer to the "ten words,"16 but it is in the New Covenant in Jesus Christ that their full meaning will be revealed."

 

11 Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy  4:1 and 10:4.

12 Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy  5:22.

13 cf. Deuteronomy  31:9-24.

14 cf. Exodus 20:1-17.

15 cf. Deuteronomy  5:6-22.

16 cf. for example Hosea 4:2; Jeremiah 7:9; Ezekiel 18:5-9.
 

 

PRINTABLE TEACHINGS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

Monsignor Charles Pope, Archdiocese of Washington, DC,  has prepared an excellent series on the Catholic faith following the general outline of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Here are his thoughts on the Ten Commandments.

 

• The First Commandment
• The Second Commandment
• The Third Commandment
• The Fourth Commandment
• The Fifth Commandment
• The Sixth Commandment
• The Seventh Commandment
• The Eighth Commandment
• The Ninth and Tenth Commandments

 

 

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

 

Take time to discern upon the words of Jesus

 

in Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34.

 

 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

I

I, the Lord, am your God.

You shall not have other gods besides me.

 

II

You shall not take the name of the Lord God in vain.

 

III

Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.

 

IV

Honor your father and your mother.

 

V

You shall not kill.

 

VI

You shall not commit adultery.

 

VII

You shall not steal.

 

VIII

You shall not bear false witness.

 

IX

You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

 

X

You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.