The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
What does this 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.
The Third Commandment
You shall sanctify the holy day. [Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.]
What does this 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.
The Fourth Commandment
Honour your father and your mother.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our
parents and other authorities, but honour them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our
neighbour in his body, but help and support him in every physical need.
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this 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 honour each other.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not take our
neighbour’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve
and protect his possessions and income.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our
neighbour, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him,
and explain everything in the kindest way.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not scheme to get our
neighbour’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.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away
our neighbour’s wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.
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.
Taken from Luther’s Small Catechism