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The Ten Commandments · piece 11 of 26

The Conclusion to the Commandments

From Luther’s Small Catechism, 1529

What does God say to us about all these commandments?

This is what He says: "I am the Lord Your God. I am a jealous God. I plague the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those who hate me with their ancestor's sin. But I make whole those who love me for a thousand generations." (Exodus 20:5)

What does it mean?

God threatens to punish everyone who breaks these commandments. We should be afraid of His anger because of this and not violate such commandments. But He promises grace and all good things to those who keep such commandments. Because of this, we, too, should love Him, trust Him, and willingly do what His commandments require.

In plain words

God takes these commandments seriously and warns that breaking them brings punishment, so respect God and do not break them. God also promises grace, which is love you do not earn, and every good thing to those who love God. Because of this promise, you can love God, trust God, and gladly do what the commandments ask.

Our summary of Luther’s explanation, for reading after his words, not instead of them.

Where Jesus says it

Translated by Robert E. Smith for Project Wittenberg (revised 2004) and placed in the public domain by the translator. How we checked it, and the whole Catechism on one page

Games and a ten-minute family guide for the Catechism on Luther’s World

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