The Small Catechism – part 101
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Romans 13:9–10
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The Tenth Commandment
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, his workers, or his livestock, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God so that we do not ruin our neighbors’ relationships with their husband or wife, workers, or livestock, or try to lure them away, but encourage them to remain and serve each other faithfully.
Pulling It Together: The Ninth Commandment deals with craving your neighbor’s goods, those inanimate possessions of your neighbor. The Tenth Commandment speaks about lusting after living things that are your neighbor’s, whether family or not — indeed, human or not: spouse, employees, farm animals, as well as domestic. We are not to yearn for anything that is in our neighbor’s care, but instead, take care of our own matters, and where possible, help our neighbor care for his own. This care for our neighbor demonstrates the sacrificial love that is to be the overarching ethic of all Christian relationships, just as it is the chief principle of the relationship between God and humanity.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for loving me; help me to love my neighbor. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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