Episode 42: Introduction to the Ten Commandments

Episode 42: Introduction to the Ten Commandments

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Where in the Bible

  • Exodus 20:1-17
  • Deuteronomy 5:6-21

How should the Ten Commandments be numbered?

  • Ten Commandments are not numbered in Scripture. They are called the Ten Words in Exodus 34:28; Deut. 4:13 and 10:4.
  • Catholics and Lutherans:
    • First Commandment: You shall have no other gods.
    • Second Commandment: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
    • Ninth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
    • Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
  • Eastern Orthodox and most Protestants:
    • First Commandment: You shall have no other gods.
    • Second Commandment: You shall not make for yourself a graven image…
    • Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, etc.
  • Jews:
    • First Word: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
    • Second Word: You shall have no other gods. You shall not make for yourself a graven image…
    • Tenth Word: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife….

The Ten Commandments Summarize the Law

  • What is the Law? (Matthew 22:36-40)
    The Law is the love that God demands of us, first to God and second to our neighbor
  • “He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How do you read it?’ And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.’” Luke 10:26-28


  • First Table of the Law: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
    • First three commandments.
  • Second Table of the Law: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Three Uses of the Law

  • What are the three uses or functions of the Law? (Look on pages 54-55 of your Small Catechism and read 18. How does God use the Ten Commandments in our lives and the lives of others in this world?)

    1. Curb: Prevents outbursts of sin by threats of punishment; keeps order in the world. 1 Timothy 1:9-10.

    2. Mirror: Shows us our sin and need for a Savior. Romans 3:20; 7:7; 1 John 1:10

    3. Guide: law guides and directs our thoughts, words, in order to please God. Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23
  • How does the Law curb? Why?
    The Law hinders or punishes the outbreak of sin for the good of God’s creation. A person doesn’t need to be a Christian for the curb of the Law to work. He simply needs to fear punishment. God uses the Law as a curb to protect his creation. 

    “Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” (1 Timothy 1:8-10)

  • How is the Law a mirror?
    The Law is called a mirror, because it shows us our sins. The Law exposes our sin and condemns us for it. This use of the Law strives to drive the sinner to repentance.
    “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20) 
    “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.'” (Romans 7:7)

  • How is the Law a guide?
    The Law leads Christians in how to live a God-pleasing life.
    “Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” (Psalm 119:35)
    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

  • What is the chief use or function of the Law? Why?
    The mirror is the chief use of the Law, because it drives a sinner to the repentance.
    “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. (Romans 7:18)
    “I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.'” Psalm 32:5

The Close of the Commandments

What does God say about all these commandments?

He says, “I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Ex. 20: 5–6)

What does this mean? God threatens to punish all who break these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not do anything against them. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.

Each Commandment Hints at God’s Love

  • Whatever you fear, love, and trust in most is your god. That God wants to be your only God means that you can trust in Him. Likewise, with the Second Commandment, You may call upon Him. The Fifth Commandment, He cares for your body, marriage (6th), property (7th), reputation (8th), etc.

Using the Ten Commandments in Prayer

  • Reciting the Ten Commandments daily is a good practice to help keep them on your heart and bring yourself to repentance each day.
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