Michael Brooks
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic faith is often considered to be the prohibition on coveting one's neighbour's wife, or more generally, one's neighbour's possessions. This commandment is rooted in the idea that happiness comes from the people and circumstances God places before us, rather than from material possessions. It also emphasises the importance of truth and integrity, prohibiting making false statements against our neighbours.
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What You'll Learn
'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife'
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic faith is: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife". This commandment is applicable to both men and women, warning against entertaining impure thoughts about another person's spouse. While it is natural to experience romantic love or eros, it is considered a sin to misuse this energy for selfish or non-creative purposes.
St. John identifies three types of covetousness or concupiscence: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. In Catholic theology, concupiscence refers to intense human desire, specifically the movement of the sensitive appetite contrary to human reason. It is considered a sin when one indulges in such desires with full knowledge and will.
The Ninth Commandment is not just about regulating one's desires but also about finding happiness in the people and circumstances God has placed before us. It is about honouring the relationships God has blessed us with and being content with who we are.
From a theological perspective, this commandment tells us that God has put us where He wants us to be and has given us all we need to become the person He wishes us to be. It is a reminder that our happiness is not found in another's home but in the love and grace God provides.
In conclusion, the Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife", is a directive to respect the sanctity of marriage, to use the gift of eros responsibly, and to trust in God's plan for our lives. It encourages us to cultivate virtue, contentment, and gratitude for the blessings we have.
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Applies to both men and women
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic faith is about coveting and lust. It states: "You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's". This commandment is about more than just the act of coveting another person's possessions or their spouse; it delves into the human heart and its desires.
St. John identifies three types of covetousness or concupiscence: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Concupiscence refers to any intense form of human desire, and in Christian theology, it means a movement of the sensitive appetite that goes against human reason. It is a struggle between the "spirit" and the "flesh", a consequence of original sin that unsettles man's moral powers and inclines him towards sin.
While the Ninth Commandment is addressed to men regarding their neighbour's wife, it equally applies to women in reference to their neighbour's husband. It is about romantic love and the creative energy that comes from it. God's love for us includes eros, the romantic aspect, and this is a part of our nature. It is not something to be fought or removed, but rather a gift from God that allows us to unite with another.
The Ninth Commandment is about using the gift of eros, or romantic love, for its intended purpose. It is not wrong to have feelings of romantic love, but it becomes sinful when we misuse that love for selfish and non-creative goals. It is about being content with what God has given us and recognising that our happiness is found in the people and circumstances He places in our lives.
The commandment applies to both men and women, emphasising the importance of honouring the relationships God has placed in our lives and being satisfied with His provisions. It is a reminder to use the gift of love creatively and selflessly, respecting the sanctity of marriage and the intentions God has for our lives.
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Concupiscence and coveting
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic faith is about coveting and concupiscence. It is a commandment that touches on the Eros, or romantic aspect, of how God loves us. It is about not coveting your neighbour's wife or husband, which involves entertaining impure thoughts about a married person. This is a violation of the Ninth Commandment, even if one does not act on these thoughts.
The Ninth Commandment forbids carnal concupiscence, or intense human desire. St. John identifies three types of concupiscence: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. This is also referred to as the "rebellion of the flesh against the spirit". Concupiscence is a result of original sin and can lead to further sin.
The commandment is about using the gift of eros, or romantic love, for the right purpose. It is a gift from God and necessary because it is the creative aspect of love. It becomes sinful when we misuse the energy of that love for a non-creative and selfish goal.
The Ninth Commandment also tells us that God has placed us where he wants us and given us what we need to be the person he wants us to be. Our happiness is found in the people and circumstances God places before us, not in another's home.
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God's love and romantic love
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic Church is: "You shall not covet your neighbour's house; you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbour's." This commandment is about contentment and being satisfied with what God has given us. It is about not desiring what others have and being grateful for our own circumstances.
Now, relating this to God's love and romantic love, it is important to understand that God's love is the ultimate example of self-sacrificial, unconditional, and faithful love. God's love is not dependent on feelings or romance, but on serving and sacrificing for another. This is the type of love that should be the foundation of any romantic relationship or marriage.
Romantic love, as a gift from God, is a necessary aspect of human nature. It is the creative portion of love, which is not sinful in itself. However, it becomes sinful when it is misused or directed towards the wrong object, such as coveting another person's spouse.
In modern times, there is a tendency to believe that true love should always evoke happy feelings and that romance should be the centre of a relationship. While romantic love is important, it cannot be the sole foundation of a lasting relationship or marriage. Instead, a deeper and more steadfast love, rooted in God, is needed.
A vibrant and lasting marriage requires all three types of love: Eros (romantic love), Philia, and Agape (self-sacrificial love). Eros love is necessary, but it is not sufficient on its own to sustain a relationship. Agape love, on the other hand, is the choice to serve and sacrifice for another unconditionally, and it forms the foundation for a strong and lasting union.
In conclusion, the Ninth Commandment reminds us to be content with what God has given us and not to covet what belongs to others. God's love, exemplified in self-sacrifice and faithfulness, should be the model for romantic relationships. While romantic love is a gift from God and an essential aspect of human nature, it should not be the primary focus of a relationship. Instead, a marriage built on God's love, with Agape love as its foundation, will thrive and endure.
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The importance of truth
The Ninth Commandment in the Catholic faith is about the importance of truth and the dangers of coveting your neighbour's belongings or their spouse.
The Ninth Commandment explicitly prohibits making false statements against one's neighbour. It is about integrity and honesty and requires changing the way one thinks. Jesus identified Satan as "the father of lies", and dishonesty is in opposition to the character and identity of God as it distorts the truth and damages relationships. The Ninth Commandment is designed to prevent slander and the perversion of justice.
The Bible says we should be "speaking the truth in love" and that "white lies" are not necessary. The apostle Paul told the Christians in Ephesus that they should put away lying and "speak truth with his neighbour".
The Ninth Commandment also forbids carnal concupiscence, or intense human desire. This includes coveting your neighbour's wife or husband, which means entertaining impure thoughts about a married person. This commandment is equally applicable to both men and women.
From a theological standpoint, the Ninth Commandment tells us that God has put us exactly where he wants us and given us all we need to be the person he wishes us to be. Our happiness lies in the people and circumstances God places before us.
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Frequently asked questions
The Ninth Commandment for Catholics is: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife".
The Ninth Commandment is about respecting your neighbour and not having impure thoughts about them. It also means not using romantic love for selfish or harmful purposes.
The Ninth Commandment is important because it teaches us about integrity and honesty. It also reminds us that our happiness comes from the people and circumstances that God places in our lives.
