The Ten Commandments

As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.

The First Commandment.

1Thou shalt have no other gods.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 1bWe should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

The Second Commandment.

2Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 2bWe should fear and love God that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.

The Third Commandment.

3Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 3bWe should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.

The Fourth Commandment.

4Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother [that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth].

What does this mean?

–Answer: 4bWe should fear and love God that we may not despise nor anger our parents and masters, but give them honor, serve, obey, and hold them in love and esteem.

The Fifth Commandment.

5Thou shalt not kill.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 5bWe should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need [in every need and danger of life and body].

The Sixth Commandment.

6Thou shalt not commit adultery.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 6bWe should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in words and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.

The Seventh Commandment.

7Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 7bWe should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].

The Eighth Commandment.

8Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 8bWe should fear and love God that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, [think and] speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.

The Ninth Commandment.

9Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 9We should fear and love God that we may not craftily seek to get our neighbor's inheritance or house, and obtain it by a show of [justice and] right, etc., but help and be of service to him in keeping it.

The Tenth Commandment.

10Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is his.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 10bWe should fear and love God that we may not estrange, force, or entice away our neighbor's wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and [diligently] do their duty.

11What Does God Say of All These Commandments?

– Answer: 11bHe says thus (Exod. 20:5f): I the Lord, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me, and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

What does this mean?

–Answer: 11cGod threatens to punish all that transgress these commandments. Therefore we should dread His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all that keep these commandments. Therefore we should also love and trust in Him, and gladly do [zealously and diligently order our whole life] according to His commandments.