The Sunday Sermon

The Ten Commandments Part 8a

by Martin Luther

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Exodus 20:16

Over and above our own body, spouse, and temporal possessions, we have yet another treasure, namely, honor and good report this to say, the illustrious testimony of an upright and unsullied name and reputation, with which we cannot dispense. ( Philippians 2:6; Proverbs 15:30; 1 Timothy 3:7;) For it is intolerable to live among men in open shame and general contempt. (Proverbs 25:8-10) Therefore God wishes the reputation, good name, and upright character of our neighbor to be taken away or diminished as little as his money and possessions, that every one may stand in his integrity before wife, children, servants, and neighbors. ( Job 2:3; Psalm 7:8; Job 23:11; Job 31:1-34;) And in the first place, we take the plainest meaning of this commandment according to the words (Thou shalt not bear false witness), as pertaining to the public courts of justice, where a poor innocent man is accused and oppressed by false witnesses in order to be punished in his body, property, or honor. (Deuteronomy 19:15; Psalm 35:11; Matthew 26:60, 65;)

For a people who are organized under an excellent and regular government; and where there is still such a government, instances of this sin will not be wanting. Moreover, it is a common calamity in the world that in courts of justice there seldom preside godly men. (Psalm 10:4, 13; Proverbs 2:12-15; ) For to be a judge requires above all things a godly man, and not only a godly, but also a wise, modest, yea, a brave and bold man; likewise, to be a witness requires a fearless and especially a godly man. For a person who is to judge all matters rightly and carry them through with his decision will often offend good friends, relatives, neighbors, and the rich and powerful, who can greatly serve or injure him. Therefore he must be quite blind, have his eyes and ears closed, neither see nor hear, but go straight forward in everything that comes before him, and decide accordingly. (Proverbs 11:10; Proverbs 29:2;)

Therefore this commandment is given first of all that every one shall help his neighbor to secure his rights, and not allow them to be hindered or twisted, but shall promote and strictly maintain them, no matter whether he be judge or witness, and let it pertain to whatsoever it will. And especially is a goal set up here for our jurists that they be careful to deal truly and uprightly with every case, allowing right to remain right, and, on the other hand, not perverting anything, by their tricks and technical points turning black into white and making wrong out to be right, (Isaiah 5:20; Job 30:26; Psalm 35:12; Proverbs 17:13;) nor glossing it over or keeping silent concerning it, irrespective of a person's money, possession, honor, or power. (Acts 10:34; Deuteronomy 10:17) This is one part and the plainest sense of this commandment concerning all that takes place in court.