Ten commandments bible verse

The Moral Blueprint: The Ultimate Biblical Guide to the Ten Commandments

Part 1: The Scripture Collection (60+ Verses)

While the Commandments themselves are found in two primary chapters (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5), the entire Bible comments on them. I have curated these verses to show the Law, its reiteration, and its fulfillment in Christ.

The Source Text: Exodus 20 (The Encounter at Sinai)

1. Exodus 20:1 – “And God spoke all these words, saying,”

2. Exodus 20:2 – “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

3. Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.” (1st Commandment)

4. Exodus 20:4 – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above…” (2nd Commandment)

5. Exodus 20:5 – “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”

6. Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (3rd Commandment)

7. Exodus 20:8 – “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (4th Commandment)

8. Exodus 20:9 – “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work.”

9. Exodus 20:10 – “But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”

10. Exodus 20:11 – “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.”

11. Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (5th Commandment)

12. Exodus 20:13 – “You shall not murder.” (6th Commandment)

13. Exodus 20:14 – “You shall not commit adultery.” (7th Commandment)

14. Exodus 20:15 – “You shall not steal.” (8th Commandment)

15. Exodus 20:16 – “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (9th Commandment)

16. Exodus 20:17 – “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house… wife… or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (10th Commandment)

The Reiteration: Deuteronomy 5 (Moses’ Review)

17. Deuteronomy 5:6 – “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”

18. Deuteronomy 5:7 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”

19. Deuteronomy 5:8 – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…”

20. Deuteronomy 5:11 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain…”

21. Deuteronomy 5:12 – “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.”

22. Deuteronomy 5:16 – “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God commanded you.”

23. Deuteronomy 5:17 – “You shall not murder.”

24. Deuteronomy 5:18 – “And you shall not commit adultery.”

25. Deuteronomy 5:19 – “And you shall not steal.”

26. Deuteronomy 5:20 – “And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

27. Deuteronomy 5:21 – “And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife… or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Jesus Fulfils and Deepens the Law

28. Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

29. Matthew 5:19 – “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.”

30. Matthew 5:21-22 – “You have heard that it was said… ‘You shall not murder’… But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.”

31. Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

32. Matthew 22:37 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

33. Matthew 22:38 – “This is the great and first commandment.”

34. Matthew 22:39 – “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

35. Matthew 22:40 – “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

36. Mark 12:29 – “Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.’'”

37. Mark 10:19 – “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”

38. John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

39. John 15:10 – “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

The Apostles on the Commandments

40. Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

41. Romans 13:9 – “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ … are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”

42. Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

43. Romans 7:7 – “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.”

44. Romans 7:12 – “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”

45. Romans 3:31 – “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.”

46. James 2:10 – “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

47. James 2:11 – “For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”

48. 1 John 2:3 – “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”

49. 1 John 2:4 – “Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”

50. 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

51. Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

52. Ephesians 6:2 – “‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise).”

Wisdom & Psalms on the Law

53. Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

54. Psalm 19:8 – “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

55. Psalm 119:97 – “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

56. Psalm 119:165 – “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

57. Proverbs 6:23 – “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”

58. Psalm 1:2 – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

59. Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

60. Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

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Part 2: Top 25 Forum Q&A (What Believers Are Asking)

I have analyzed the most active discussions on r/Christianity, BibleStudyTools, and GotQuestions regarding the Decalogue.

1. Q: Are the Ten Commandments still relevant for Christians today? A: Yes. While the ceremonial law (sacrifices, dietary restrictions) was fulfilled in Christ, the moral law (the Ten Commandments) reflects God’s unchanging character and remains the standard for holy living, now empowered by the Holy Spirit.

2. Q: Why do Catholics and Protestants number the commandments differently? A: Jews, Protestants, and Catholics/Lutherans group them differently. Catholics combine “No other Gods” and “No Idols” into #1 and split “Coveting” into #9 (neighbor’s wife) and #10 (neighbor’s goods). Protestants usually keep Idolatry as #2 and Coveting as #10.

3. Q: Did Jesus abolish the Sabbath (4th Commandment)? A: No, He claimed lordship over it. Colossians 2:16 suggests the specific day (Saturday vs. Sunday) is not a matter of judgment for believers, but the principle of rest and worship remains vital.

4. Q: Is killing in war or self-defense a violation of “Thou shalt not kill”? A: The Hebrew word used in Exodus 20:13 is Ratzaḥ, which specifically means “Murder” (unlawful killing with malice). It is distinct from killing in war or judicial execution, which use different Hebrew terms.

5. Q: How can I honor my father and mother if they were abusive? A: Honor refers to the position, not necessarily the performance. You can honor them by not speaking evil of them, praying for them, and forgiving them, while still maintaining healthy boundaries for your safety.

6. Q: Does “Thou shalt not make any graven image” ban Christian art/statues? A: This is a historic debate (Iconoclasm). Most theologians argue the commandment bans making idols to be worshiped, not artistic representations of Jesus or saints used for remembrance or instruction.

7. Q: Is downloading pirated movies/music considered stealing? A: Yes. The 8th Commandment protects private property. Intellectual property is property. Taking it without compensation violates the principle of “You shall not steal.”

8. Q: What constitutes “Taking the Lord’s name in vain”? A: It is more than just using “OMG.” It means to carry God’s name (call yourself a Christian) in a way that is empty, false, or brings shame to His reputation. It also covers swearing false oaths by His name.

9. Q: Is looking at pornography considered adultery? A: According to Jesus in Matthew 5:28, yes. Lustful intent is adultery of the heart.

10. Q: Why is coveting (envy) included? It seems like a thought, not an action. A: Because coveting is the root of all other sins. You steal because you covet; you commit adultery because you covet. God judges the heart, not just the hand.

11. Q: Can I be saved by keeping the Ten Commandments? A: No. Romans 3:20 says “by works of the law no human being will be justified.” The Law acts as a mirror to show us our sin and our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24).

12. Q: What is the “Greatest Commandment”? A: Jesus summarized the Ten into Two: Love God (Cmds 1-4) and Love Neighbor (Cmds 5-10).

13. Q: How do I keep the Sabbath in a modern world? A: Set aside one day to cease from economic labor and anxiety. Focus on worship, family, and rest. Trust God that 6 days of work is enough.

14. Q: What is a “false witness”? A: In a legal context, it is lying in court. In daily life, it is gossip, slander, or twisting the truth to damage someone’s reputation.

15. Q: Is it a sin to work on Sunday? A: For essential services (nurses, police) or works of mercy, no. Jesus healed on the Sabbath. However, consistently ignoring rest destroys the soul.

16. Q: Why did God write them on stone? A: To symbolize their permanent, unchanging nature, contrasting with the soft hearts of flesh God desires to give us (Ezekiel 36:26).

17. Q: Does “Do not have other gods” apply today? A: Yes. An “idol” is anything you love, trust, or fear more than God. Money, career, politics, and self can all be “other gods.”

18. Q: Why is the promise of “long life” attached to honoring parents? A: It creates social stability. A society that respects elders retains wisdom and order, leading to flourishing.

19. Q: Can a Christian swear an oath in court? A: Most traditions say yes, as an affirmation of truth. Some (like Quakers/Mennonites) say no, citing Matthew 5:34, and affirm only.

20. Q: What if I break a commandment? A: 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” The Law condemns; Christ redeems.

21. Q: Is being jealous the same as coveting? A: Very close. Jealousy fears losing what you have; envy/coveting desires what someone else has to the point of resentment.

22. Q: Did God change His mind about the Law? A: No. The Law was the tutor to lead us to Christ. Once Christ came, the tutor’s job changed from “disciplinarian” to “guide.”

23. Q: How do I teach the Ten Commandments to kids? A: Use hand motions (e.g., hold up 1 finger for One God). Focus on the “Do’s” (Love God) alongside the “Don’ts.”

24. Q: Is there a hierarchy of commandments? A: James 2:10 says breaking one is breaking the whole law. Sin is sin. However, the consequences of murder are obviously weightier than the consequences of coveting.

25. Q: Why are there two tablets? A: Traditionally, the first tablet (Commandments 1-4) deals with our relationship with God. The second tablet (Commandments 5-10) deals with our relationship with fellow humans.

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Part 3: 20 Actionable Tips for Daily Application

At Work & Career

1. Integrity Audit: Use the 8th Commandment (“No Stealing”) to review your time management. Are you stealing time from your employer by scrolling social media?

2. Sabbath Boundaries: Turn off work emails on your Sabbath. Trust that God can bless your 6 days more than your 7 days of striving.

3. Truth Telling: Apply the 9th Commandment (“No False Witness”) to your resume and reports. Never exaggerate numbers or take credit for others’ work.

4. Contentment: Combat the 10th Commandment (Coveting) by actively congratulating coworkers on their promotions instead of resenting them.

In Studies (School/University)

5. Academic Honesty: Plagiarism is stealing (8th Cmd) and lying (9th Cmd). Honor God with your own work.

6. Respect Authority: Treat professors with respect (extension of the 5th Commandment to honor authority figures), even if you disagree with them.

7. Idol Check: Ensure your GPA or academic success hasn’t become a “god before Me” (1st Cmd). Your identity is in Christ, not your grades.

8. Rest: Don’t pull all-nighters 7 days a week. Your brain needs the Sabbath rest to function at peak capacity.

Social Life & Relationships

9. Gossip Stopper: Refuse to listen to or spread rumors. This is “bearing false witness” against a neighbor’s reputation.

10. Purity in Dating: Apply the principle of the 7th Commandment (Adultery) by maintaining purity and honoring your future spouse now.

11. Truth in Love: Be known as a person whose “Yes is Yes.” Reliability is a fulfillment of not bearing false witness.

12. Generosity: The antidote to coveting (10th Cmd) is giving. Buy a friend coffee to break the grip of greed.

Family & Home

13. Honor Parents: Call your parents weekly. Speak well of them to your children. This fulfills the 5th Commandment.

14. Marriage Hedge: Protect your marriage (7th Cmd) by setting boundaries with the opposite sex and prioritizing date nights.

15. Anger Management: Remember Jesus equated anger with murder (6th Cmd). Practice the “pause” before yelling at your kids or spouse.

16. No “God” Swears: Teach the family that God’s name is holy (3rd Cmd). Use it only for prayer, praise, or teaching.

Inner Spiritual Life

17. The Mirror: Read the Ten Commandments before confession to see where you need grace.

18. Gratitude Journal: Combat coveting by listing 3 things you do have every morning.

19. Worship: Keeping the 1st Commandment means prioritizing daily prayer. Start the day with God, not your phone.

20. Rest: Sleep is an act of trust. It admits you are not God.

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Part 4: Bonus – Life Improvement via the “Jesus Method”

How keeping the Commandments actually upgrades your life:

• Financial Peace: The 10th Commandment (Do not covet) is the ultimate financial hack. If you stop keeping up with the Joneses, you stop buying things you don’t need, which eliminates debt and stress.

• Mental Health: The 4th Commandment (Sabbath) is God’s prescription for burnout. Taking 24 hours off lowers cortisol, restores creativity, and prevents exhaustion.

• Relationship Depth: The 7th (Adultery) and 9th (Lying) Commandments build trust. A life of fidelity and honesty creates “Anti-Fragile” relationships that can weather any storm.

• Success: The 5th Commandment (Honor Parents) promises “long life.” Sociologically, people who respect wisdom and authority tend to have better career mentors and life outcomes.