No Other Gods

Beginning our study of the Ten Commandments proper, we must first note that there is a fullness to each of these commandments that includes but is not limited to their most literal reading. In other words, each commandment has broader applications. Jesus Himself makes this clear. For instance, His teaching on the law against adultery indicates that the commandment forbids not only a sexual relationship with a person who is not one’s spouse but all lustful thoughts as well (Matt. 5:27–30; see Ex. 20:14). Each commandment both outlaws certain things and enjoins us to take positive actions for holiness, as the Reformation creeds and catechisms demonstrate. Thus, as we make our way through the commandments, we will look at other Scripture passages that help us understand what each commandment means in its fullness.

The first commandment, given to us in today’s passage, tells us that we may have no other gods before the Lord. In essence, this is a commandment against idolatry, the giving of worship or ascription of highest value to anything other than the Lord God Almighty. Idolatry, in fact, lies at the heart of all other sins. Before human beings transgress any other law, Paul tells us in Romans 1:18–32, they fail to honor God as God—to set Him above all else—and fail to thank Him, turning instead to other deities. If we do not honor the Lord alone as God, we will fail to keep every other commandment.

John Calvin observes that the first commandment addresses our internal attitudes. The Decalogue forbids us from making and worshiping actual physical idols, but that is addressed more fully in the second commandment (see Ex. 20:4–6). The first commandment is broader, covering all forms of idolatry, including both fashioning gods out of wood, stone, or metal and the devotion of our souls to anything above the Lord. God, Calvin says, calls for “the affections of the heart, that He alone may be spiritually worshiped; and the expression ‘before my face,’ [refers to these affections] because, although [some people who] secretly turn aside to false worship, and cherish their errors within their own bosoms, may be able to evade the eyes of men, yet their hypocrisy and treachery will not escape the notice of God.”

Idolatry has many forms, so any of us can fall into it. Our idols may not be figurines of deities but rather culturally acceptable things such as money, power, and fame. Still, if anything comes first in our lives and affections but our Creator, we are committing idolatry.