Joshua Bennett
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of rules that Catholics and other Christians traditionally memorise and follow. They are believed to be a universal moral law, applicable to all people regardless of their religious affiliation. The Ten Commandments are derived from the books of Exodus and Deuteronomy in the Bible, with some differences in interpretation between Catholic and Orthodox traditions. The Commandments include instructions to worship only one God, to respect God's name and the Sabbath, to honour one's parents, and to respect the lives and property of others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Faith, hope, love, and worship of God | God |
| Reverence for holy things | God, holy things |
| Prayer | God |
| Respect for the rights of others | Others |
| Respect for the property of others | Others |
| Safeguarding of one's own life and bodily welfare and that of others | Self and others |
| Chastity in word and deed | Self and others |
| Honour your father and your mother | Parents |
| Thou shalt not kill | Others |
| Thou shalt not commit adultery | Others |
| Thou shalt not steal | Others |
| Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife | Neighbour's wife |
| Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods | Neighbour's goods |
| Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain | God |
| Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour | Neighbour |
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What You'll Learn
Commandments and forbiddances
The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, are a set of laws that form a fundamental part of the Judeo-Christian tradition, with universal application regardless of religious affiliation. The Catholic Church teaches that the first three commandments are sins against God, and the remaining seven are sins against fellow humans.
The First Commandment is: "I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me." This forbids idolatry and polytheism, and is linked to the Second Commandment, which forbids the creation of "graven images" or idols. The Catechism emphasises that God cannot be represented in images, and that mankind is made in God's image.
The Third Commandment commands reverence for God and holy things, and forbids blasphemy and irreverent use of God's name. This includes speaking disrespectfully of holy things and breaking vows.
The Fourth Commandment commands respect for the Lord's Day, or the Sabbath. This is traditionally observed on Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection, and requires attendance at worship. Forbiddances include missing church and performing unnecessary work on the Sabbath.
The Fifth Commandment commands love, respect, and obedience to parents and superiors. Forbiddances include hatred and disobedience towards those in authority.
The Sixth Commandment forbids unjust killing, and also includes prohibitions on suicide, abortion, and endangering the lives of others.
The Seventh Commandment commands chastity and forbids impure actions, as well as obscene speech.
The Eighth Commandment commands respect for the property and rights of others, and forbids theft and damage to property.
The Ninth and Tenth Commandments relate to covetousness, or acquisitiveness. The Ninth forbids coveting a neighbour's wife, which is considered a sin of lust, while the Tenth forbids coveting a neighbour's goods, which is a sin of greed.
Overall, the Ten Commandments provide a framework for ethical behaviour and worship, with a focus on respect for God, others, and oneself.
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Honouring God
The First Commandment states, "I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me." This is a fundamental tenet of the Catholic faith, emphasising monotheism and the exclusive worship of God. Catholics believe that God, as the Creator, is to be revered and worshipped above all else, and that idolatry is a sin.
The Second Commandment, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," underscores the importance of speaking about God with reverence and respect. It forbids blasphemy and the irreverent use of God's name, as well as speaking disrespectfully of holy things. This commandment extends to the keeping of oaths and vows, emphasising their sanctity.
The Third Commandment, "Remember to keep holy the Lord's day," instructs Catholics to observe Sunday, the Lord's Day, as a sacred day of rest and worship. This commandment is rooted in the belief that Sunday is the day of Jesus' resurrection and, therefore, holds special significance in the Christian tradition. Attending church and refraining from unnecessary work on this day are acts of honouring God.
The Fourth Commandment, "Honour your father and your mother," recognises the importance of family and the role of parents as God-given authorities in one's life. Honouring and respecting one's parents is, therefore, an extension of honouring God.
Through these first four commandments, Catholics are instructed in their relationship with God and how to honour and glorify Him in their daily lives. These commandments form the foundation of Catholic moral and spiritual teachings, providing guidance on worship, reverence, rest, and respect for authority.
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Honouring parents
Honouring one's parents is the fourth of the Ten Commandments in Catholicism. The commandment is generally regarded as the fifth in Protestant and Jewish sources, but Catholics and Lutherans count it as the fourth. The commandment is derived from the book of Exodus in the Old Testament, which states: "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you". In the Torah, obeying this commandment was linked to the nation of Israel's ability to remain in the land that God was leading them to.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church interprets the commandment as expressing honour through:
- Inward esteem, outwardly expressed
- Obedience to parents' lawful commands
- Submission to their rebukes, instructions, and corrections
- Acting with consideration of parental advice, direction, and consent
- Providing comfort and physical needs for elderly parents
John Wesley, in his commentary on the commandment, also encourages honour for those in spiritual leadership.
Honouring one's parents is also associated with longevity. By honouring the source of our natural lives, we are blessed with long life. Conversely, dishonouring or cursing our parents is considered to spiritually decrease our natural powers, potentially leading to a shortened life.
The book of Sirach in the Old Testament further emphasises the importance of honouring one's father and mother. It states that whoever honours their father atones for sins and glorifies their mother.
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Respecting others
The Eighth Commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour", underscores the importance of truthfulness and respect for others' reputations. Catholics are commanded to be truthful and respectful of others' good names, and to observe secrecy when required. This commandment prohibits bearing false witness, speaking falsely, and breaking vows or oaths. It encourages integrity and honesty in all interactions.
Respect for others is also evident in the Ninth and Tenth Commandments, which address coveting. The Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife", and the Tenth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods", caution against lust and greed. These commandments elevate the sanctity of marriage and monogamy, and discourage acquisitiveness and envy. They guide Catholics to respect their neighbours' relationships and possessions, fostering contentment and harmony within communities.
Additionally, the Catholic interpretation of the Fourth Commandment, "Remember to keep holy the Lord's day", underscores respect for God and religious authorities. By setting aside Sunday as the Lord's Day, Catholics express reverence for Jesus' resurrection and follow the tradition outlined in the Book of Revelation. This commandment also commands children to honour their parents and respect their authority, promoting familial respect and piety.
The commandments also emphasise respect for others' property and rights. Catholics are commanded to safeguard the welfare of others, respect their property rights, and pay just debts and wages. This discourages theft and damage to property, and unjust practices, fostering a culture of integrity and fairness.
Overall, the Catholic Ten Commandments provide a moral compass that guides followers to respect God, themselves, and their neighbours. By adhering to these commandments, Catholics strive to create harmonious communities characterised by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
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Sins against God and man
The Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, are a set of laws emphasizing the importance of respect for God, oneself, and others. Sins against God and man are addressed in several of the Ten Commandments, which provide guidelines for moral and ethical behaviour.
The first commandment, "I, the Lord, am your God. You shall have no other gods before Me," prohibits idolatry and the worship of any other deity besides God. Breaking this commandment by engaging in idolatry or superstition is considered a sin against God.
The second commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain," instructs individuals to speak reverently about God and holy things. Sins against this commandment include blasphemy, irreverent use of God's name, and speaking disrespectfully about holy matters.
The fifth commandment, "Honour your father and your mother," commands respect and obedience towards parents and superiors. Sins against this commandment include hatred, disrespect, and disobedience towards parents and legitimate authorities.
The sixth commandment, "You shall not kill," forbids unjust killing and the endangerment of oneself or others. Sins against this commandment include murder, suicide, abortion, and any actions that put the lives of oneself or others at risk.
The eighth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour," emphasizes truthfulness and respect for the good name of others. Sins against this commandment include lying, slander, talebearing, and any form of speech or action that damages the reputation of others.
By following these commandments and avoiding sins against God and man, individuals are guided towards ethical behaviour, respect for authority, and the preservation of life and truth.
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