The Larger Catechism lists examples like “patient bearing of the hand of God,” “quietness of mind,” “charitable thoughts,” and the characteristics of love, compassion, and the forgiving of injuries. This gets at Jesus’ application of the heart (with reference to the Sixth Commandment) in Matthew 5:21–26 and Paul’s instruction in Romans 13:9, 10. True obedience includes both outward action and inward disposition.

At the surface, the Sixth Commandment seems straightforward: “You shall not murder” (Ex. 20:13; Deut. 5:17). But as we explore both the biblical context and how this command is applied in both Scripture and in confessional history, we come to see its broad application for our lives today.

Biblical Context and Summary

As part of the Ten Commandments given by God at Mount Sinai, the Sixth Commandment is part of the moral law of God, which remains “in effect” and binding into the New Covenant era. While the other various laws associated with the Mosaic (or Sinaitic) Covenant—cultic, sacrificial, cleansing, dietary, etc.—have been abrogated and fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sixth Commandment may seem like it has little relevance for the everyday Christian. But a deeper look at both the positive (the duties required) and the negative (the sins forbidden) aspects of the Sixth Commandment provide clarity and relevance of the Lord’s command for us today.

In the Old Testament, the word for “murder” (râtsach)—used in both Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17—covers a few categories of action that leads to one’s death, including murder with intent, manslaughter (without intent), and even a wild beast killing someone (cf. Num. 35:11; Deut. 19:4; Prov. 22:13).

In the New Testament, Jesus gave greater clarity to the meaning and application of the Sixth Commandment. In Matthew 5:21, Jesus says,

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, “You fool!” will be liable to the hell of fire.

In Matthew 19:16, a rich young ruler asks Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus tells him to keep the commands of God. The young man then asks, “Which ones?” Jesus replies by outlining the second table of the Ten Commandments, starting with the Sixth Commandment. Moreover, the apostle Paul affirmed the ongoing obligation to keep the Sixth Commandment in Romans 13:9, where he writes that obedience to the second table of the Ten Commandments is fulfilling the law of loving to one’s neighbor.

What’s important to realize is that the Ten Commandments did not become “obsolete” with the coming of Christ, as was the case with the temporary covenant made with Israel (Heb. 8:13). Rather, we see its binding application for us today.

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