TEN COMMANDMENT OF GOD

 

Moses with the ten commandments of God
Moses with the ten commandments 

 

By Edward Matulanya

Here are scriptural, catechism, historical development, theological and significants of Ten Commandments of God in Roman Catholic Tradition.

1. Scriptural Origins of God's Commandments 

The Ten Commandments, or Decalogue, originate in the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily in Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:4–21. They were revealed by God to Moses on Mount Sinai as a covenantal guide for Israel after the Exodus from Egypt (Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version, 1989). Within the Roman Catholic tradition, these commandments are regarded as both divine revelation and expressions of the natural moral law (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1997, §§2052–2074).

2. The ten Commandments of God in Catholic Catechism 

The Ten Commandments, as simplified for catechetical teaching, are presented as follows (CCC, 1997, §§2052–2557).

1. I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

These commandments are divided into two categories: the first three regulate humanity’s relationship with God, and the last seven govern human relationships.

3. Historical Development of God's Commandments in Catholic Teaching

From the time of Augustine, the commandments were central to Christian moral formation. Medieval theologians such as Thomas Aquinas incorporated them into discussions of natural law, emphasizing their universality (Aquinas, trans. 1947). The Council of Trent reaffirmed their importance in moral theology and catechisms, especially in the context of confession (Council of Trent, 1546/2012). The modern Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a systematic exposition of each commandment’s theological and ethical dimensions.

4. Theological and Spiritual Significance of God's Commandments 

The Catholic Church views the commandments not merely as prohibitions but as guides to authentic freedom and love. Jesus Christ summarized the entire law in the two great commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind … and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–40, NRSV). Thus, the Decalogue finds its fulfillment in Christ’s law of love, but remains binding as a moral compass.

References

Augustine of Hippo. (1998). The city of God (M. Dods, Trans.). Modern Library. (Original work published ca. 426 CE)

Aquinas, T. (1947). Summa theologica (Fathers of the English Dominican Province, Trans.). Benziger Brothers. (Original work published ca. 1270 CE)

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1997). Vatican: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

Council of Trent. (2012). The canons and decrees of the Council of Trent (H. J. Schroeder, Trans.). TAN Books. (Original work published 1546)

Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version. (1989). National Council of Churches.


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