Notes in Ten Commandments

Called the "First table of the Law," Commandments 1 through 4, man's duty toward God.  Exodus 20:1-11.

Called the "Second table of the Law," Commandments 5 through 10, man's duty toward his fellow man.  Exodus 20:12-17.

The two tables of the law summed up in two sentences, Matthew 22:35-40, our duty to God and our duty to man.  See also second table summed up (our duty to man), Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8.

These rightly called "The Ten Commandments" as Scripture calls them: Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 10:4.

On the second commandment (verses 4-6).  "...visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, etc..."  Not teaching "generational sin" or "family curse," but generational teaching of sin.  Example, children of smokers are generally smokers.  Here, idolatry passed on but for God's great mercy and grace!

On the Sabbath day: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Not a spiritual rest.  Physical rest for spiritual activity.  Included also is the requirement to work six days.  Those attempting to "keep the sabbath" today generally take two days of rest, violating the command to work six.  Sabbath "nailed to the cross" and "taken out of the way," Colossians 2:13-17.  This the only one of the ten commandments not repeated for Christians in the NT epistles.

On the fifth commandment (verse 12).  Notice man's duty to fellow man begins with honoring parents.  The nuclear family is God's primary pattern for human relationships.  Family relationships are the proper foundation for understanding all other human relationships.  Important cross reference: Ephesians 6:1-3.

Exodus 20:13 - Thou shalt not kill.  Literally, murder, including negligent death ("manslaughter").  Is not a prohibition of all killing, for the same law requires death to the offender.

VM