What Are the 10 Commandments?

Understanding Exodus 20:1-3

The Ten Commandments — also called the Decalogue (from the Greek for 'ten words') — are the foundational moral law given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. They are recorded in Exodus 20:2-17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. They were written by the finger of God on two stone tablets (Exodus 31:18).

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17):

1. 'You shall have no other gods before me.' (Exodus 20:3) God demands exclusive allegiance. No idol, philosophy, ambition, or relationship should occupy the place that belongs to God alone. In the ancient world, this was revolutionary — every nation worshipped multiple gods. Israel was called to worship one.

2. 'You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.' (Exodus 20:4-6) God cannot be reduced to a physical representation. Every image limits Him. Every idol distorts Him. This commandment protects the transcendence and mystery of God — He is beyond anything we can carve, paint, or imagine.

3. 'You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.' (Exodus 20:7) God's name represents His character, authority, and reputation. To misuse it means more than casual profanity — it includes invoking God to justify violence, manipulate people, or lend authority to falsehood. Using God's name carelessly treats the sacred as common.

4. 'Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.' (Exodus 20:8-11) God commands rest — one day in seven set apart from work for worship and renewal. This is rooted in creation itself: God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). The Sabbath declares that human worth is not determined by productivity. Christians differ on whether this applies to Saturday (Seventh-day Adventists), Sunday (most Protestants and Catholics), or the principle of regular rest regardless of day.

5. 'Honor your father and your mother.' (Exodus 20:12) This is the first commandment with a promise: 'so that you may live long in the land.' Honoring parents means respecting their authority, caring for them in old age, and valuing the family structure God established. Paul reaffirms this in Ephesians 6:1-3.

6. 'You shall not murder.' (Exodus 20:13) The Hebrew word ratsach specifically means unlawful killing — murder, not all taking of human life. The same law that prohibits murder prescribes capital punishment for certain crimes and permits killing in warfare and self-defense. Jesus deepened this commandment in Matthew 5:21-22, teaching that anger and contempt toward another person violate its spirit.

7. 'You shall not commit adultery.' (Exodus 20:14) Sexual faithfulness within marriage is commanded. Adultery violates the covenant between husband and wife and destroys trust, families, and communities. Jesus extended this in Matthew 5:27-28, teaching that lustful intent is itself a violation of this commandment's spirit.

8. 'You shall not steal.' (Exodus 20:15) This protects private property and personal labor. Stealing includes not only theft but also fraud, exploitation, wage theft, and dishonest business practices. It presupposes that people have a right to the fruit of their labor.

9. 'You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.' (Exodus 20:16) Truthfulness in legal proceedings and daily life. This commandment protects justice — false testimony can destroy an innocent person's life. It also establishes truth-telling as a fundamental moral obligation.

10. 'You shall not covet.' (Exodus 20:17) The only commandment that addresses internal desire rather than external action. Coveting — envying your neighbor's house, spouse, servants, animals, or anything else — is the root sin that leads to breaking all the other commandments. You steal because you covet. You commit adultery because you covet. You murder because you covet.

Two tablets, two relationships.

The commandments are traditionally divided between two stone tablets:

• Tablet 1 (Commandments 1-4): Our relationship with God — worship, reverence, honor, rest
• Tablet 2 (Commandments 5-10): Our relationships with each other — family, life, marriage, property, truth, contentment

Jesus' summary (Matthew 22:37-40).

When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'

Jesus did not replace the Ten Commandments — He distilled them. Love God (commandments 1-4). Love neighbor (commandments 5-10). If you truly do these two things, you will naturally fulfill all ten.

Are Christians still under the Ten Commandments?

Christians are not under the Mosaic Law as a legal covenant (Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:23-25). However, nine of the ten commandments are reaffirmed in the New Testament (the Sabbath commandment is the exception — see Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:16-17). The moral principles behind the commandments are eternal because they reflect God's unchanging character.

The Ten Commandments remain the clearest summary of God's moral expectations for human life. They are not burdensome restrictions — they are the boundaries that make flourishing possible. A world without murder, theft, adultery, lies, and envy would be a world of profound peace. The commandments describe what human life looks like when God is honored and neighbor is loved.