The Sixth Commandment
God spoke the 10 Commandments aloud to the thousands of Israelites gathered at the base of Mount Sinai. When He finished speaking, He added “nothing more. Then He wrote them on two stone tablets” and gave them to Moses [Deuteronomy 5:22]. Why nothing more? Because those Ten Commandments are the only laws needed by mankind to develop a perfect society.
The first 4 define our relationship with God; the other 6 define our relationship with each other.
The Ten Commandments are recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapter 20, verses 2 – 17 and Deuteronomy 5:1–22.
Here is the Sixth Commandment:
13 “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17 (NIV84)
Some people think that the Bible prohibits taking the life of another human being regardless of circumstances. Some are misled by the King James Version translation of the 6th Commandment.
13 Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:13 Deuteronomy 5:17 (KJV 1900)
Almost every other translation correctly translates the Hebrew word used here as “murder” and only the KJV of all the major translations uses the term “kill”. A check of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance or other reference works showing the original Hebrew will make the point. There are several other Hebrew words translated as “kill” in the Bible but the one in the Commandment only means “murder”.
This Commandment expressly condemns the taking of life without purpose.
Jesus expanded our understanding of the 6th Commandment:
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister, will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV)
There are many of who never murder anyone who still break the 6th Commandment by our hatred of others. Perhaps the hardest teaching in the entire Bible is Jesus’ Commandment to “love your enemies” but that is a topic for discussion elsewhere.
It should be clearly understood that God does not forbid killing, except in the case of murder. There are many scriptures that show God approves of killing to protect one’s home, family, community and nation.
For instance, one thinking of serving in the US Armed Forces can find a couple of scriptures have deep meaning – the first from Jesus and the second from the apostle Paul:
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (NIV84)
One who is willing to lay down his life for his friends (family, community, nation) shows the greatest love.
8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV84)
That “provision” includes their safety and security within their home, community and nation.
In Paul’s dissertation to the Romans on the importance and eternal nature of love [Romans 12:9–21], he inserts a caveat:
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
We live in peace with everyone “if it is possible, as far as it depends on” us. One does not have to reach a great age to learn that there are times when we must protect ourselves, our family and friends and if that protection includes violence, including killing, it is God’s will that we do what is necessary to provide that protection.
