Here's the start of short series of Wednesday postings taking us through Luther's Small Catechism.
LSC WEDNESDAY #1:
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household
The First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
The Second Commandment
You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name, but call upon it in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks.
The Third Commandment
You shall sanctify the holy day.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it.
The Fourth Commandment
You shall honor your father and your mother ‹that it may be well with you and you may live long upon the earth›.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not despise or anger our parents and masters, but give them honor, serve them, obey them, and hold them in love and esteem.
The Fifth Commandment
You shall not murder.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need [in every need and danger of life and body].
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not commit adultery.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may lead a pure and decent life in words and deeds, and each love and honor his spouse.
The Seventh Commandment
You shall not steal.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not take our neighbor’s money or property, nor get them with bad products or deals, but help him to improve and protect his property and business.
The Eighth Commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not deceitfully belie, betray, slander, or defame our neighbor, but defend him, ‹think and› speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not craftily seek to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house, or obtain it by a show ‹of justice and› right, or any other means, but help and be of service to him in keeping it.
The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his cattle, or anything that is his.
What does this mean? Answer: We should fear and love God so that we may not turn, force, or entice away our neighbor’s wife, servants, or cattle, but urge them to stay and ‹carefully› do their duty.
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS?
Answer: He says:
I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments. [Exodus 20:5–6]
What does this mean? Answer: God threatens to punish all who sin against these commandments. Therefore, we should fear His wrath and not act contrary to these commandments. But He promises grace and every blessing to all who keep these commandments. Therefore, we should also love and trust in Him and gladly do what He commands.
Concordia : The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO : Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 317
Jesu Juva,
Soli Deo Gloria
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