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.
Confessional Application
The Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms provide detailed application of the Sixth Commandment (WSC 67–69; WLC 134–136). Both state the actual Commandment, then give the duties required and the sins forbidden, respectively. (For the purpose and scope of this article, I’ll only be referencing the Larger Catechism.) Interestingly, the Westminster Divines used the English word “kill” rather than “murder,” which was most likely a reference to the broader application of the word (as outlined above).
DUTIES REQUIRED
For the “duties required” (WLC 135; cf. WSC 68), we may summarize the application in two ways. First, we are to do that which leads to the preservation of life. This includes “careful studies,” “lawful endeavors,” “avoiding” those situations that would lead to the taking away of life, “by just defense thereof against violence,” and by “protecting and defending the innocent.” This might mean taking immediate action against someone who is attempting to harm yourself, your family, or others. This doesn’t mean taking the law into your own hands to exact revenge (see Matt. 5:38, 39). But it does mean to be a protector of yourself and others. (1)
Second, we are to have minds and hearts (i.e., attitudes) that uphold the preservation of life. It’s not only the outward action, but also the inward disposition. 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.
SINS FORBIDDEN
For the “sins forbidden” (WLC 136; cf. WSC 69), we may summarize the application in three ways. First, we shall not do that which leads to the taking or destruction of life (of ourselves or others). The stated exceptions are in the cases of “public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense.” In other words, there are times when “killing” is justified (cf. Eccl. 3:3). Like the actions mentioned in the duties required, necessary defense is the other side of the coin to the preservation of life. This might mean being prepared or armed in such a way that you can defend and preserve life. (2)
Second, the Westminster Divines include the application of inaction. In other words, we can break the Sixth Commandment by “neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life.” This means, for example, that if we see someone attempting to harm or kill another, and we take no action (when we have the means to do so), we may be in violation of the Sixth Commandment. Or, if a bully is pummeling an innocent child on a playground, we shouldn’t just sit back and watch; no, we should step in to stop it from happening.
Third, we are forbidden from having an inner disposition that is tendentious against others. This includes characteristics like “sinful anger,” “hatred,” “envy,” and “desire for revenge.” In addition to certain actions, we violate the Sixth Commandment when we harbor inner attitudes against others.
As we can see, the Sixth Commandment has a broad range of applications for us today. We should be mindful, before God, of our words, actions, and attitudes with reference toward ourselves and toward others. And we should be thankful that Jesus has taken upon Himself the penalty of our law-breaking and that His righteousness has been imputed to our account, rendering us as those under the banner of “no condemnation.” Christ suffered the violation of the Sixth Commandment upon the cross, that we might have life in Him forever.
(1) See my three-part series, “The Man as Protector,” Reforming Men (reformingmen.com).
(2) See my YouTube video, “Should Christians Keep and Bear Arms?” (https://youtu.be/kHn3zxx_Oqw).
