THE TENTH COMMANDMENT

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EXODUS 20:17 NKJV

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 147. What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?
A. The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.

Q. 148. What are the sins forbidden in the tenth commandment?
A. The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are, discontentment with our own estate; envying and grieving at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

Covet – Hebrew “Chacan” To be conpact; by implication to hoard:  Layup

Covet – Greek “Epithumeo” To fix the desire upon whether things good or bad; hence to long for, lust after

This Greek word can also be translated “lust” and “desire”.  It is usually used in a bad sense though not always.

It is not unusual for the 10^th commandment to be understood as a summation of the other nine.  When any commandment is transgressed it would then be an act of covetousness.

This does not appear to be the intent as it is written and the Larger Catechism does not define it this way.  More nearly it is any legal way of exercising greed.  Even more it is the internal motivation to a greedy decision.

Commands one through nine are acts of hostility with their internal motives that terminate on another party.  This commandment more than any other is inwardly motivated, seldom if ever spontaneous, and usually requires planning to prosecute.

One may covet his neighbor’s house.  Though there is no way he can steal his house, he may be planning to take the house from his neighbor legally and even make it appear a charitable deed.  But the command is internal and his motive condemns him by the Great Judge of the heart.

Two men may each negotiate with his neighbor for his donkey.  They may equally enter into serious price exchange.  While one has no covetous motivation, the other is driven by a greedy desire for his neighbor’s property.  Their motivation is never recognized externally.  It is legal and thrift in purchase is commendable.  The heart attitude is the grounds of God’s discerning judgment.

Paul’s statement in I Timothy 6:10 describes this sin with great clarity.  I Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  It is not money that begets evil.  It is the “love of money” that is condemned.  Note the result attributed to this “love”.  “Some have strayed from their faith in their greediness”.  Covetousness or lust is just this greediness.

Apply I Timothy 6:11 for the answer to this sin and any others.  But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.