The Ten Commandments: What They Mean and Why They Still Matter

The Ten Commandments: What They Mean and Why They Still Matter

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” — 1 John 5:3

The Ten Commandments are among the best-known teachings in the Bible, but knowing the commandments and understanding what they mean are two different things.

God gave the Ten Commandments to the people of Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. They are recorded in Exodus 20:1–17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6–21.

These commandments teach us about our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. They address worship, family, life, marriage, honesty, possessions, and even the desires of our hearts.

But the Ten Commandments are more than a list of things we should or should not do. They reveal God’s holiness and show us the standard of righteousness that we cannot perfectly meet on our own.

What are the Ten Commandments?

The Ten Commandments are ten laws God gave to the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai. Recorded in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, they teach people how to honor God and how to treat others. Christians are not saved by keeping the commandments; rather, the commandments reveal God's standards, expose sin, and help us understand our need for Jesus Christ.

What Are the Ten Commandments?

In simple terms, the Ten Commandments are:

  1. You shall have no other gods before God.
  2. You shall not make or worship idols.
  3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord.
  4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
  5. Honor your father and mother.
  6. You shall not murder.
  7. You shall not commit adultery.
  8. You shall not steal.
  9. You shall not give false testimony.
  10. You shall not covet.

The complete biblical account can be read in Exodus 20:1–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21.

1. You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me

What does this mean?

God is to have first place in our lives.

An idol does not necessarily have to be a statue or an object of worship. Anything we value, trust, love, pursue, or depend upon more than God can begin taking the place that belongs to Him.

Money, success, possessions, relationships, power, popularity, careers, and even ourselves can become more important to us than God.

Jesus expressed this same truth when He said:

“Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” — Matthew 4:10

God does not simply want to be one part of our lives. He wants our hearts.

2. You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol

What does this mean?

The second commandment warns against creating something and treating it as though it were God.

God cannot be reduced to something created by human hands. We should not worship images, objects, possessions, people, or anything else in place of the Creator.

An idol can also be anything to which we give the devotion that rightly belongs to God.

Our worship belongs to Him alone.

3. You Shall Not Misuse the Name of the Lord Your God

What does this mean?

God’s name is holy and should be treated with reverence.

This commandment involves more than casually using God’s name as profanity. We should never use His name carelessly, dishonestly, manipulatively, or disrespectfully.

If we claim to represent God, our words and actions should honor Him.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” — Matthew 6:9

To hallow God’s name means to recognize it as holy.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day by Keeping It Holy

What does this mean?

God established a pattern of work and rest from the beginning of creation.

Exodus 20 explains that people were to work for six days and set apart the seventh day to the Lord.

The Sabbath reminded God’s people that life should not revolve entirely around work. Time was to be intentionally devoted to rest, worship, and God.

Jesus later reminded people:

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27

God knows we need rest. We need time away from constant work and distractions, and we need time focused on Him.

5. Honor Your Father and Your Mother

What does this mean?

God calls us to treat our parents with honor and respect.

For children, this includes obedience and respect. As we grow older, honoring our parents may involve caring for them, helping them, speaking respectfully to them, and treating them with dignity.

This commandment does not require someone to approve of sinful or abusive behavior. Biblical honor does not mean allowing another person to harm you.

It does mean that God places importance on how we treat our parents and family relationships.

6. You Shall Not Murder

What does this mean?

Human life is precious to God because human beings were created in His image.

But Jesus showed that this commandment reaches deeper than the physical act of murder.

In Matthew 5:21–22, Jesus addressed the anger and hatred within the human heart.

Unchecked hatred, bitterness, rage, and a desire to harm others are contrary to the life God calls us to live.

Rather than hatred and revenge, followers of Jesus are called toward forgiveness, mercy, reconciliation, and love.

7. You Shall Not Commit Adultery

What does this mean?

Marriage is meant to be treated with faithfulness and honor.

Adultery is sexual unfaithfulness involving a married person and someone other than his or her spouse.

Jesus again showed that God’s concern goes deeper than outward behavior.

In Matthew 5:27–28, Jesus taught that deliberately looking at someone lustfully reveals a problem within the heart.

God cares not only about what we do, but also about what we allow to grow within our thoughts and desires.

Faithfulness begins in the heart.

8. You Shall Not Steal

What does this mean?

We are not to take what belongs to someone else.

Stealing can involve money or possessions, but dishonesty can take many forms. Cheating someone, intentionally withholding what belongs to them, fraud, or taking advantage of another person can all violate the principle behind this commandment.

God calls His people to honesty, generosity, and integrity.

Rather than taking from others, Scripture encourages us to work honestly and share with those in need.

9. You Shall Not Give False Testimony Against Your Neighbor

What does this mean?

God values truth.

This commandment originally addressed giving false testimony against another person, but its principle reaches into everyday life.

Lying, deliberately spreading false information, gossiping, damaging someone’s reputation with untruths, and deceiving others are contrary to God’s character.

Jesus said:

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” — John 14:6

Followers of Jesus should be people whose words can be trusted.

10. You Shall Not Covet

What does this mean?

Coveting means strongly desiring something that belongs to someone else.

This commandment is particularly important because it deals directly with the heart.

We may look at someone else’s home, marriage, possessions, career, success, lifestyle, or circumstances and become jealous or resentful.

God calls us instead toward gratitude and contentment.

That does not mean it is wrong to work toward goals or hope for something better. The problem comes when desire turns into envy, jealousy, resentment, or an obsession with what someone else has.

Contentment recognizes that our ultimate security is found in God rather than possessions.

What Did Jesus Say About the Ten Commandments?

Jesus did not teach that God’s moral standards were meaningless.

When one of the Pharisees asked Jesus which commandment was greatest, He summarized God’s law with two commands:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38

“And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

Jesus then said:

“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” — Matthew 22:40

That gives us a simple way to understand the Ten Commandments.

The first commandments teach us how to love God.

They concern worship, God’s name, devotion, and setting apart time for Him.

The remaining commandments teach us how to love others.

They concern parents, human life, marriage, possessions, truth, and the attitudes of our hearts.

Love does not replace God’s commandments. Genuine love helps explain their purpose.

Can Anyone Keep the Ten Commandments Perfectly?

No.

And this is one of the most important truths to understand about God’s law.

We may look at commandments such as “Do not murder” or “Do not steal” and think we are doing fairly well. But Jesus showed that God’s standard reaches beyond outward actions into our hearts.

Jesus addressed anger behind murder and lust behind adultery in Matthew 5.

The Bible says:

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

Every one of us has sinned.

God’s commandments help us recognize what sin is and show us our need for forgiveness.

Are We Saved by Keeping the Ten Commandments?

No. We cannot earn salvation by keeping the Ten Commandments.

If salvation depended upon perfectly obeying God’s law, none of us could be saved because none of us has obeyed God perfectly.

The good news of the Gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived without sin, died for our sins, and rose again.

The Bible tells us:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … not by works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

Good works are important, but they are not the price we pay for salvation.

We obey God because we love Him—not because we can somehow earn His forgiveness.

Why Do the Ten Commandments Still Matter?

The Ten Commandments reveal important truths about God’s character and the kind of lives He desires us to live.

They teach us that:

  • God alone deserves our worship.
  • God’s name is holy.
  • We need time for God and rest.
  • Parents should be honored.
  • Human life has value.
  • Marriage should be faithful.
  • We should respect the property of others.
  • We should tell the truth.
  • We should guard the desires of our hearts.

Most importantly, God’s commandments show us that we need something we cannot provide for ourselves: a Savior.

The answer is Jesus.

The Ten Commandments Point Us Toward Our Need for Jesus

The purpose of Christianity is not simply to become a person who follows enough rules to earn God’s approval.

Christianity begins with recognizing that we have sinned and cannot make ourselves righteous before a holy God.

Jesus came to do what we could not do for ourselves.

He died for our sins and rose again so that those who trust in Him can receive forgiveness and eternal life.

If you are wondering how to begin a relationship with God, learn more about what salvation means and why Jesus came to save us.

And if you are ready to place your faith in Jesus Christ, you can visit our Simple Salvation Prayer as a place to begin talking honestly with God.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Ten Commandments

Where are the Ten Commandments found in the Bible?

The Ten Commandments are recorded primarily in Exodus 20:1–17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6–21.

Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments?

According to the Bible, God gave His commandments to Moses at Mount Sinai after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

What is the greatest commandment?

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. See Matthew 22:36–40.

Do Christians have to follow the Ten Commandments to be saved?

No. The Bible teaches that salvation is God’s gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, not something earned by obeying commandments or doing good works. See Ephesians 2:8–9.

Why are the Ten Commandments important?

They reveal God’s moral standards, teach principles for loving God and other people, expose sin, and help us recognize our need for God’s grace and forgiveness.

What do the Ten Commandments teach us about God?

They show that God is holy, worthy of worship, truthful, concerned with justice, protective of human life and marriage, and interested not only in our actions but also in our hearts.

Did Jesus teach the Ten Commandments?

Jesus repeatedly affirmed the moral truths found in God’s commandments and taught that the law is ultimately summarized by loving God and loving others. He also taught that obedience involves the attitudes and desires of the heart, not merely outward behavior.