Ten Commandments Simplified

Decalogue Simplified


Introduction

The Ten Commandments can be remembered not only as a list of rules but as ten life-governing principles. Each commandment answers a basic question about our relationship to God and to others

I. Duties Toward God (Commandments 1–4)

Commandment Keyword Question Answered Explanation
1. No other gods (Ex. 20:3) Who Who do we worship? Only the true God is the object of worship.
2. No idols (Ex. 20:4–6) Why Why do we worship? Not for man-made reasons, but because God commands it.
3. No vain use of God’s name (Ex. 20:7) How How do we worship? With reverence, truth, and sincerity.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy (Ex. 20:8–11) When When do we worship? By setting apart God’s appointed time for rest and worship.

II. Duties Toward Man (Commandments 5–10)

Commandment Keyword Sphere of Life Explanation
5. Honour parents (Ex. 20:12) Family Authority Obey and respect parents; all human authority begins in the family.
6. No murder (Ex. 20:13) Life Blood Life is sacred; hatred or unlawful violence is forbidden.
7. No adultery (Ex. 20:14) Marriage Sex Purity must be kept; marriage is sacred before God.
8. No stealing (Ex. 20:15) Property Ownership Respect what belongs to others; practise honesty.
9. No false witness (Ex. 20:16) Conversation Witness Truth must govern speech, testimony, and all dealings.
10. No coveting (Ex. 20:17) Feeling Desire Sin begins in the heart; we must not crave what belongs to others.

Teaching Summary

  • Godward Duties (1–4): Who, Why, How, When → Worship rightly.
  • Manward Duties (5–10): Family, Life, Marriage, Property, Conversation, Feeling → Live rightly.
  • Jesus summarized them all: Love God and you neighbours.

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart… And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matt. 22:37–39, KJV)

1. The First Commandment

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Ex. 20:3)

  • Key Word: Who
  • Question: Who do we worship?
  • Answer: Only the true God is the object of worship.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Worship God alone; no rivals.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Idolatry (false gods, money, self).
  3. Duty Required: Know, love, trust, and worship Him.
  4. Reason: He is the only true God and Savior.
  5. Application: Put God first in every part of life.
Punchline: Worship only the one true God.

2. The Second Commandment

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…” (Ex. 20:4–6)

  • Key Word: Why
  • Question: Why do we worship?
  • Answer: Because God commands pure worship, not idolatry.

Outline

  1. Meaning: No images or man-made forms of God.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Image worship, traditions that corrupt worship.
  3. Duty Required: Worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
  4. Reason: God is jealous and punishes false worship.
  5. Application: Avoid mixing culture or imagination into worship.
Punchline: Worship God His way, not our way.

3. The Third Commandment

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)

  • Key Word: How
  • Question: How do we worship?
  • Answer: With reverence, sincerity, and truth.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Honour God’s name in speech and life.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Swearing falsely, careless speech, hypocrisy.
  3. Duty Required: Speak with reverence, live to glorify His name.
  4. Reason: God will not hold guiltless those who abuse His name.
  5. Application: Let every word and deed honour God.
Punchline: Honour God’s name in all you do.

4. The Fourth Commandment

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex. 20:8–11)

  • Key Word: When
  • Question: When do we worship?
  • Answer: By keeping God’s appointed day holy.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Set apart one day in seven for God.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Neglect of worship, misuse of God’s day.
  3. Duty Required: Rest from ordinary work; worship and serve God.
  4. Reason: God rested and blessed the Sabbath.
  5. Application: Use the Lord’s Day for worship, service, and rest.
Punchline: Give God His day each week.

5. The Fifth Commandment

“Honour thy father and thy mother…” (Ex. 20:12)

  • Key Word: Family
  • Question: How do we treat authority?
  • Answer: With honour, respect, and obedience.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Respect parents and all rightful authority.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Disobedience, disrespect, rebellion.
  3. Duty Required: Obey parents, respect leaders, submit to authority.
  4. Reason: God promises long life and blessing.
  5. Application: Honour parents and all God-ordained authority.
Punchline: Honour and obey your parents.

6. The Sixth Commandment

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Ex. 20:13)

  • Key Word: Life
  • Question: How do we treat life?
  • Answer: Life is sacred; we must not destroy it.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Protect and value human life.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Murder, hatred, violence, revenge.
  3. Duty Required: Preserve life; love others.
  4. Reason: Man is made in God’s image.
  5. Application: Guard against anger, bitterness, and violence.
Punchline: Respect life because it is God-given.

7. The Seventh Commandment

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Ex. 20:14)

  • Key Word: Marriage
  • Question: How do we treat purity?
  • Answer: Keep marriage and sexuality holy.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Faithfulness in marriage and purity in life.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Adultery, fornication, lustful thoughts.
  3. Duty Required: Keep heart, mind, and body pure.
  4. Reason: Marriage is God’s holy covenant.
  5. Application: Guard your eyes, thoughts, and relationships.
Punchline: Be pure in heart and faithful in marriage.

8. The Eighth Commandment

“Thou shalt not steal.” (Ex. 20:15)

  • Key Word: Property
  • Question: How do we treat what belongs to others?
  • Answer: Respect ownership; practise honesty.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Respect others’ property.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Stealing, fraud, cheating, laziness.
  3. Duty Required: Work honestly, give generously.
  4. Reason: God is the giver of all possessions.
  5. Application: Be honest and trustworthy in all things.
Punchline: Do not steal — work and share instead.

9. The Ninth Commandment

“Thou shalt not bear false witness…” (Ex. 20:16)

  • Key Word: Conversation
  • Question: How do we treat truth?
  • Answer: Speak truth; avoid lies.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Be truthful in word and deed.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Lies, slander, gossip, false testimony.
  3. Duty Required: Speak truthfully, defend the innocent.
  4. Reason: God is a God of truth.
  5. Application: Let your words always be true and kind.
Punchline: Always tell the truth.

10. The Tenth Commandment

“Thou shalt not covet…” (Ex. 20:17)

  • Key Word: Feeling / Desire
  • Question: How do we treat desires?
  • Answer: Be content; do not crave what belongs to others.

Outline

  1. Meaning: Guard the heart from sinful desires.
  2. Sin Forbidden: Covetousness, envy, greed.
  3. Duty Required: Contentment and gratitude.
  4. Reason: Sin begins in the heart before the act.
  5. Application: Be thankful for what God gives you.
Punchline: Be content; don’t covet.

Teaching Summary

  • First Table (1–4) → Our duty to God (Who, Why, How, When).
  • Second Table (5–10) → Our duty to man (Family, Life, Marriage, Property, Conversation, Feelings).
  • Christ summed them up: Love God and Love your neighbour (Matt. 22:37–39).

 Commandment

  1. God is the only true and living God (Isa. 45:5–6).
  2. He is a jealous God, not sharing His glory (Isa. 42:8).
  3. He alone saves and gives life (Acts 4:12).

V. The Application for Us Today

  1. Examine your life: Who has first place in your heart?
  2. Guard against modern idols: money, technology, fame, people.
  3. Remember: Worship is not just singing — it is trusting, obeying, and loving God above all.
KENNETH

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