Catechism Question 53
How is the moral law summarized in the Ten Commandments?
The Ten Commandments, which are given in Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5, summarize the moral law as follows:
Preface: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt
- You shall have no other gods
- You shall not make an idol
- You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God
- Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
- Honor your father and mother
- You shall not murder
- You shall not commit adultery
- You shall not steal
- You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor
- 10. You shall not covet
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This question points us to the Ten Commandments as a summary of the moral law. Earlier in the catechism in question 10, we saw that Jesus summarized the entire law in two commands: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. Here we look at the moral law as summarized in a little more detail in the Ten Commandments. In the next question, we will note how the Ten Commandments may also be summarized by the two great commandments given by Jesus as well, but for now, we want to focus on the Ten Commandments themselves.
The answer begins by noting the location of the Ten Commandments, so that we may all remember where to find these important words. It then goes through a list of the commandments, beginning with the preface and then listing each of the ten commands in order. It is important for the learner to be able to recite all ten commands, as these provide a solid foundation for what is contained in the rest of the law. In fact, in many ways, the rest of the moral laws contained in Scripture are simply a further explaining of what these ten commands state.
Finally, note that we do not ask for an explanation of the preface or any of the commands. This will be done in future questions. At this point, the focus is on being able to accurately state the content of the Ten Commandments.
Additional Questions:
Can you state the Ten Commandments, including where they are found and the preface to the commandments?
Where are the Ten Commandments found in the Bible? Can you list the preface and the Ten Commandments?
Scripture References:
Exodus 20:1–17
And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for 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, 6 but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Deuteronomy 5:6–22
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 7 “You shall have no other gods before me. 8 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for 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, 10 but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments. 11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. 16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 17 “You shall not murder. 18 “You shall not commit adultery. 19 “You shall not steal. 20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.
Matthew 19:17–19
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Deuteronomy 10:4–5
The Lord wrote on these tablets what he had written before, the Ten Commandments he had proclaimed to you on the mountain, out of the fire, on the day of the assembly. And the Lord gave them to me. 5 Then I came back down the mountain and put the tablets in the ark I had made, as the Lord commanded me, and they are there now.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why are the Ten Commandments a good summary of the whole moral law? Can other commandments regarding right and wrong moral conduct really be based on just these ten commands?
In Matthew 19 when Jesus is talking to the rich young ruler, he summarizes God’s commandments by quoting from the Ten Commandments, particularly the latter half. Why did He do this?
Who spoke and wrote the Ten Commandments? Did God give them through a human author, or did He write them directly Himself? How many things in Scripture were directly written by God without using a human intermediary?
After reading Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, do you notice any slight differences in wording? Do these different words change any of the meaning of the Ten Commandments?
The Heidelberg Catechism covers the Ten Commandments in the early part of the Catechism under “Guilt.” But the Westminster Shorter Catechism covers it later as we have. Why would Heidelberg use it under “Guilt”? Why did we (and Westminster) use it later under the heading of growing as a Christian? Can it really be used for both?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 92 of the Heidelberg Catechism, to questions 39-41 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and in question 8 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “The Summary of God’s Law” (October 27, 2019), and “Christ and the Moral Aspect of the Law” (April 18, 2004).
Suggested Worship Song:
These Things Are True of You by Tommy Walker
(This song reminds us of the goal of sanctification and all of the commands in the moral law – to be like God. The Ten Commandments are not a random collection of changing rules, but rather a reflection of the character of God, which is why it is important for believers to know and follow by the power of the Spirit. To know the Ten Commandments is to know what God is like – and therefore what we were created to be like.)
Unshakable, immovable, faithful and true
Full of wisdom, strength and beauty
These things are true, of You
Fearless, courageous
Righteousness shines through in all You do
Yet You’re so humble, You laid down Your life
These things, are true, of You
~Chorus~
And as I, turn my face to You
Oh Lord I ask, and pray
By the power of, Your love and grace
Make these things true of, me too
Make these things true of, me too
Patient, compassionate
Love flows through You
You never give up, on the hopeless ones
These things, are true, of You
Your holy, and blameless
You stand up for justice and truth
Yet You love mercy, and forgiveness
These things, are true, of You
~Chorus~