The Ten Commandments

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified

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Two Texts

The Old Testament gives the Ten Commandments twice, in Exodus and Deuteronomy. (Citations are from both sources.)

1. "I am the Lord your God you shall not have strange Gods before me" (Ex 20:2-6, Deut 5:6-10)
2. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Ex 20:7-8, Deut 5:11-12)
3. "Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day" (Ex 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15)
4. "Honor your father and your mother" (Ex 20:12, Deut 5:16)
5. "You shall not kill" (Ex 20:13, Deut 5:17)
6. "You shall not commit adultery" (Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18)
7. "You shall not steal" (Ex 20:15, Deut 5:19)
8. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Ex 20:16, Deut 5:20)
9. "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife" (Ex 20:17, Deut 5:21)
10. "You shall not covet your neighbor's goods" (Ex 20:17, Deut 5:21)

The Rich Young Man (2052-2053)

"Teacher what must I do to gain eternal life?" (Mt 19:16, Lk 10:25).

Jesus told the young man to recognize the "One who is good." Then, Jesus cited those commandments that concern others. The man was told not to kill, not to commit adultery, not to steal, not to bear false witness, nor to dishonor his parents. Jesus summed up these commands, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt 19:16-19).

Jesus then invited him to sell all, to give to the poor and follow him (Mt 19:21). This second invitation did not abolish the commandments. Instead, the man was invited to rediscover the fullness of these commandments by following Jesus. Besides asking obedience to the law, Jesus also invited his disciples to poverty and chastity. The evangelical counsels are inseparable from the commandments.

A Greater Righteousness (2054)

While acknowledging the Ten Commandments, Jesus preached a "righteousness which exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees" (Mt 5:20) and "of the Gentiles" (Mt 5:46-47). He reveals the fullness of the demands, saying for example that anyone angry "with his brother shall be liable to judgment" (Mt 5:21-22).

Two Parts (2055)

Jesus sets forth his commandment of love in two parts, a complete love for God and a love for neighbor as we love ourselves. These commandments concerning others are summed up by, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom 13:9-10).

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