The Sunday Sermon

The Ten Commandments Part 5

By Martin Luther

Thou shall not Kill

Exodus 20:13

Editor’s thought - I will admit this is a rather broad interpretation of the fifth commandment. In a way it does make sense, for if we deny someone help that would save their lives, are we no better than a murderer? That being said, I do believe that Martin Luther was reading a bit to much into it. It does not specifically say, shall not kill or ALLOWED to be killed. It does say YOU will not kill. Either way, it is good advice, this to say; do your best to prevent others from suffering and harm.

Editor’s note - usually I have scriptural references included in the original text, however I had to edit this one quite a bit to achieve some form of flowing consistency in the message. Below one will find related scripture.

The entire sum of what it means not to kill is in the first place that we harm no one, first, with our hand or by deed. Then, that we do not employ our tongue to instigate or counsel thereto. Further, that we neither use nor assent to any kind of means or methods whereby any one may be injured. And finally, that the heart be not ill disposed toward any one, nor from anger and hatred wish him ill, so that body and soul may be innocent in regard to every one, but especially those who wish you evil or inflict such upon you. For to do evil to one who wishes and does you good is not human, but diabolical.

Secondly, under this commandment not only he is guilty who does evil to his neighbor, but he also who can do him good, prevent, resist evil, defend and save him, so that no bodily harm or hurt happen to him and yet does not do it. If, therefore, you send away one that is naked when you could clothe him, you have caused him to freeze to death; you see one suffer hunger and do not give him food, you have caused him to starve. So also, if you see any one innocently sentenced to death or in like distress, and do not save him, although you know ways and means to do so, you have killed him. And it will not avail you to make the pretext that you did not afford any help, counsel, or aid thereto for you have withheld your love from him and deprived him of the benefit whereby his life would have been saved. That is: You would have suffered Me and Mine to die of hunger thirst, and cold, would have suffered the wild beasts to tear us to pieces, or left us to rot in prison or perish in distress. What else is that but to reproach them as murderers and bloodhounds? For although you have not actually done all this, you have nevertheless, so far as you were concerned, suffered him to pine and perish in misfortune.

Related scripture

Deuteronomy 10:18;

Deuteronomy 27:18-19;

Job 31:5, 13-33;

Proverbs 3:27;

Jeremiah 7:5-6;

Zechariah 7:9-10;

Malachi 3:5;

Luke 6:27