The Catholic Ten Commandments: A Comparative Study with Biblical Text
The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of both Catholic and Protestant faith but are translated and structured with subtle differences. Understanding these differences and their origins can provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs and practices of these Christian denominations.
Introduction to the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are a set of instructions that God provided to the Israelites through Moses (Exodus 20). These commandments are foundational to both Catholic and Protestant beliefs, although slight variations exist in how they are presented and interpreted.
The Content of the Commandments
Commandment 1: The God of the Covenant
The first commandment in the Catholic version is often referred to as the Idols or False Gods commandment. This commandment prohibits the worship of false gods or any form of idolatry. It is a reminder of the exclusive relationship between God and His people, as described in the Book of Exodus.
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me. - Exodus 20:2-3 (Authorized King James Version)
The Catholic version combines this commandment with the prohibition of making idols, emphasizing the concept of judgmental or judging behavior towards others.
Original: I am the Lord thy God which brought thee forth out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of servitude. Thou shalt not have strange gods before me. Thou shalt not make to thee a graven thing nor any similitude that is in heaven above that is in the earth beneath neither of those things that are in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not adore them nor serve them: - Catholic version of Exodus 20:2-4
Commandment 2: The Sacredness of God's Name
The second commandment is about the sacredness and proper use of God's name. This commandment is crucial in maintaining the reverence and respect for the divine. In both Catholic and Protestant versions, it remains consistent with the biblical text of Exodus 20:7.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who takes his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7 (Authorized King James Version)
Protestants are particularly sensitive to the prohibition against using God's name in vain, while Catholics emphasize the entire sentence as a reminder of the sacredness of God's name.
Commandment 3: The Sabbath
The Sabbath commandment in the Catholic version emphasizes the sanctification of the day of rest and worship. This commandment is crucial for maintaining a balance between work and rest, as dictated by God.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your ox, or your donkey, or any of your livestock, or the stranger within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. - Exodus 20:8-11 (Authorized King James Version)
The Catholic version, while similar, places more emphasis on the sanctity and importance of the Sabbath day.
Commandments 4-10
The remaining commandments (4-10) deal with moral and social behaviors, such as respecting parents, not killing, not committing adultery, not stealing, not lying, and not coveting. Both Catholic and Protestant versions are nearly identical in these commandments. However, there are some subtle differences in the way they are presented and interpreted.
Comparison of Catholic and Protestant Versions
The Catholic Church tends to combine the commandments against making idols and coveting objects, while Protestants present them separately. The commandment against coveting a neighbor's wife is an added level of specificity that is not found in the Protestant version. Furthermore, while both versions prohibit stealing, the Catholic version is particularly concerned with the act of kidnapping.
For example, the Catholic version states:
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors wife. Thou shalt not covet all thy neighbors goods. - Catholic version of Exodus 20:17
Whereas, the Protestant version simply states:
You shall not covet your neighbor's house, or his wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. - Exodus 20:17 (Authorized King James Version)
Conclusion
The differences in the presentation of the Ten Commandments between Catholic and Protestant versions are primarily stylistic and do not alter the core message. Understanding these commandments, whether in Catholic or Protestant form, is essential for adhering to the principles and values they represent. It is always a good idea to compare various translations to ensure you have the most authentic version of the original text.