Luther's Small Catechism: The 10 Commandments
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- What does "You shall have no other gods" mean?
- We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
- What does "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not curse, swear, use satanic arts, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
- What does "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
- What does "Honor your father and your mother" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
- What does "You shall not murder" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
- What does "You shall not commit adultery" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.
- What does "You shall not steal" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.
- What does "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
- What does "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or get it in a way which only appears right, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
- What does "You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" mean?
- We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
- 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.