10 commandments, again

[Sir2v4]

There are a couple closed threads on the numbering of the 10 commandments.

In response to some of the views there, the Jewish numbering is based on the content of the Biblical verses. The commandments grouped as the first 5 contain the phrase 'the LORD your God." The rest do not contain those words. So, those words seem to form a subgroup among the commandments.

And, of course, with centuries to ponder these, the commandment to honor our parents has those words “the LORD your God” so they consider that commandment showing how much we are to revere our parents, as next to God Himself. (believe it or not)

And, that importance is reinforced by another command in the Torah that a son who does NOT revere or honor his mother and father should be put to death. (obviously meant to deter someone from not following the commandment)

It is my view that when we advance beyond childhood, we should just remember Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 and re-read the commandments there, without worrying about some artificial enumeration that does not exist in the text itself.

There’s really no Orthodox this, Lutherans that, Catholics the other, etc. just read the Bible.

 

[AlNg]

And, of course, with centuries to ponder these, the commandment to honor our parents has those words “the LORD your God” so they consider that commandment showing how much we are to revere our parents, as next to God Himself. (believe it or not)

And, that importance is reinforced by another command in the Torah that a son who does NOT revere or honor his mother and father should be put to death. (obviously meant to deter someone from not following the commandment)

However, Jesus said “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters–yes, even their own life–such a person cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:26

 

[Elf01]

In context hate means put before Christ.

Christ is first, anything else second.

Which is why the greatest commandment is love of God and the second love of neighbor.

 

[AlNg]

In context hate means put before Christ.

I don’t understand why the word hate is used instead of the phrase put before Christ. If I look up the word hate in the dictionary I find that it means an intense dislike for someone. I do not find any dictionary which says that to hate means to put before Christ.

 

[Elf01]

Agreed, but as you point out there are commandments to honor your father and mother and love your neighbor, literal instructions to hate do not make sense.

Jesus was using hyperbole.

 

[MT1926]

I don’t understand why the word hate is used instead of the phrase put before Christ. If I look up the word hate in the dictionary I find that it means an intense dislike for someone. I do not find any dictionary which says that to hate means to put before Christ.

Jesus is using hyperbole here. Which is a claim not meant to be taken literally. He does this throughout His ministry when he tells us to cut off our hand or gouge out our eye.

In this same verse he also tells us to hate our own life, I’m sure you would agree Jesus isn’t saying suicide is OK here? He also says we have to bear our own cross, he wasn’t speaking of literal crucifixion. He ends the teaching…whoever does not renounce all that her has… He is not saying we have to give away all of our possessions. The meaning of these exaggerated statements is to teach us that discipleship is a serious commitment. It is a complete surrender to Christ to be lived out daily, not just when we have some extra free time.

Hope this helps,

God Bless

 

[AlNg]

Jesus is using hyperbole here.

Protestants might say that this supports their claim that Jesus used hyperbole elsewhere such as at the Last Supper.

 

[Fauken]

Which presents an awkward conundum for them and the bread of life discourse in John 6. If Jesus was using hyperbole in both instances, the first such instance was in John 6. If it was hyperbole, then why didn’t Jesus correct those who were leaving due to nothing more than a misunderstanding, like he normally would? He not only didn’t correct himself, but used stronger language to insist that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood (in the Eucharist), or else we have no life within us.

 

[MT1926]

That’s why reading things in context becomes vital to understanding what Jesus was trying to teach.

In Luke 14 no one questions why Jesus who commands us to Love God and Love neighbor, 4 chapters earlier, would all of the sudden start commanding us to hate our parents. Seeing that no one says hey I thought we’re to Love our neighbors as ourselves? Taking this into account we can understand that the word hate here doesn’t mean to “feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).”

As for John 6 @Fauken hit the nail on the head.

This same context is important when Jesus says He is the Vine in John 15. No one says what’s he talking about, how can He claim to be a vine. I don’t see any fruit hanging off His arms?

Jesus also calls Himself the “door” or the “gate” in John 10, which many will use as their reasoning for John 6. Once again notice says hey how can this guy be made of wood? Also, if you read John 10:6 you will notice it says…This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Context is the key.

Hope this helps,

God Bless

 

[AlNg]

Context is the key.

The problem is that the use of hyperbole renders certain passages open to interpretation. Students of the Bible differ on the interpretation of various passages. Some passages are taken literally, while others are taken figuratively. Catholics have the Church to guide them, but Protestants insist on private interpretation although in many cases they are guided by their ministers.

 

[MT1926]

The problem is that the use of hyperbole renders certain passages open to interpretation.

Totally agree. I think this is the reason Jesus never wrote, nor commanded his Apostles to write, anything down during His three year ministry. He never intended for people to teach them selves. He commanded His Apostles…

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Students of the Bible differ on the interpretation of various passages.

They sure do, that is why Jesus never intended for there to be students of the Bible. He only intended for students of the Apostles and their successors.

Some passages are taken literally, while others are taken figuratively.

Yes and this can be difficult to understand at times.

Catholics have the Church to guide them,

This is the main reason I am so thankful I am Catholic.

Protestants insist on private interpretation

Yes they do, not sure why though the Bible never instructs us to use private interpretation.

although in many cases they are guided by their ministers.

But how can you ever know if the minister is correct unless you can know who taught the minister and who taught his teacher and their teacher, etc…