THE TEN
COMMANDMENTS
Yesterday and Today
An eye for an eye …
In an attempt to deal with lawlessness,
people were carrying enforcement of laws
and punishment too far. (in O.T. times)
 “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth…”
NOT to increase punishment, but to
LIMIT punishment. ONLY an eye for an
eye, NOT an ARM for a loaf of bread!
 The punishment must fit the crime.

Protestant Version
vs.
Catholic Version
Protestant version divides 1st
commandment into two:
1.
2.
–
Put God before all
No false gods
And combines last two into one:
–
Do not covet.
10 Commandments (Catholic Version)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
No false gods.
Don’t use God’s
name in vain.
Keep Sabbath
Honor parents
Don’t kill
6, No Adultery
7. Don’t steal
8. Don’t lie about
another (give false
witness).
9. Don’t covet
neighbor’s wife.
10. Don’t covet
neighbor’s goods.
Protestant 10 Commandments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
One God
No false gods
Don’t use God’s
name in vain
Keep Sabbath
Honor Parents
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Don’t kill
No adultery
Don’t steal
Don’t give false
witness (lie about
another)
Don’t covet:
another’s wife or
goods
1. I am the Lord your God, you shall
place no other Gods before Me.
OLD TESTAMENT
 Implies
“henotheism”
rather than
monotheism
 Many Gods were
worshipped
 Place “Yahweh”
above all the
others.
NEW TESTAMENT




Prioritize Values
Be true to our
deepest beliefs
Can even apply to
an atheist!
Respect the
“things” of God as
well.
2. You shall not take
God’s name in vain.
OLD TESTAMENT
• Believed to invoke
divine power which
had powerful effects.
• Acceptable to use in
cursing true enemies.
NEW TESTAMENT
• Have respect for
God’s name.
• Avoid words that
offend. (Words have
MEANING!)
• Mean what you say!
3. Keep the Sabbath Day holy.
• OLD TESTAMENT
• NEW TESTAMENT
• Sabbath (Shabbat) =
sundown Friday
through sundown
Saturday. (“seventh”)
• Day God “rested”
• Sabbath = Sunday
(The day Jesus rose
from the dead).
• Sunday Mass
• Take time for God
4.Honor your
mother and
father.
OLD TESTAMENT



The Israelites were
nomads
Patriarchs were
leaders of tribe or
clan.
Needed to maintain
civilization
NEW TESTAMENT
Honor includes:
A.
respect
B.
affection
C.
gratitude
D.
and commitment
to grow in love
within the family.
5. You shall not kill.

OLD
TESTAMENT
Kill = murder
(unjustifiable
homicide)
 One could kill in
self-defense.



NEW
TESTAMENT
Could also include:
murder, suicide,
euthanasia, war,
abortion, hostage
taking, kidnapping,
terrorism, etc.
ALSO INCLUDES:
Killing spiritually or
emotionally through
anger.
6. You shall not commit
adultery.
OLD TESTAMENT
 Matter of “justice”

Violated “property
rights.” (women property
of husband)
NEW TESTAMENT
 Commitment to the
marriage by both
parties.
 Physical AND
EMOTIONAL fidelity.
7. You shall not steal.
OLD TESTAMENT


Taking other’s
property.
Especially -- the
stealing of people!
NEW TESTAMENT


(kidnapping)

Taking property.
Also: not to cheat, or
damage another’s
property
AND: To be good
caretakers
–
(earth, animals, etc.)
8. You shall not give false
witness against your neighbor.
OLD TESTAMENT
Critical to the Hebrew’s
legal system: 2 people
testifying against
someone could put
them to death
NEW TESTAMENT



Perjury is wrong.
Also against:
dishonesty in general,
gossip, slander,
spreading rumors, etc.
Respect for:
reputation, privacy,
and personal freedom
9. You shall not covet your
neighbor’s spouse.
OLD TESTAMENT
NEW TESTAMENT
Like the 7th
 Respect for the
commandment, it
love/relationship
is a matter of
in this marriage.
“justice.”
 Rejects: moral
permissiveness
or an “anything
goes” attitude.
10. You shall not covet
your neighbor’s goods.
OLD TESTAMENT
NEW TESTAMENT
Against attitudes of:
a. greed
b. putting money
above other values
c. jealousy
Stealing property,
other than a
neighbor’s spouse.

Not resenting the
good fortune of
others.
“The commandments, ‘You shall not
commit adultery; You shall not
murder; You shall not steal; You
shall not covet’ and any other
commandment, are summed up in
this, ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’”
Romans 13:9
Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain the difference between
the Protestant version and the
Catholic version of the 10
Commandments.
What number is the
commandment to respect your
parents
1. In the Catholic version
2. In the Protestant version
Why do we say that the first
commandment implies that the
Israelites were henotheistic
rather than monotheistic.
(define both terms in your
answer).
What is the Old Testament
meaning of the 5th
Commandment. (Catholic
version)
5.
6.
7.
8.
What is the New Testament
meaning of the 5th
commandment?
What was the attitude toward
women in Old Testament
times?
Name 2 traditions we have
today, connected to marriage,
that shows this (#6) ancient
belief toward women?
Why was breaking the 8th
commandment in OT times
even more serious than it
might be considered today?