What Are the 10 Commandments of Love?
1. The Confusion About “10 Commandments of Love”
The phrase “10 commandments of love” is not found in the Bible. Some people mistakenly use the phrase to describe biblical teaching, but it is a misunderstanding. The Bible speaks of the Ten Commandments given to Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5). Separately, Jesus summarized the law and prophets into two greatest commandments—to love God and to love one’s neighbor (Matthew 22:36–40).
The confusion often comes from trying to merge these two teachings. In truth, the Ten Commandments provide the moral foundation of God’s covenant law, while the two greatest commandments provide the heart that sums them up.
2. The Ten Commandments and Their Purpose
The Ten Commandments form the core of Israel’s covenant with God. They are divided into two groups:
The first four commandments (Exodus 20:3–11) relate to love for God. They forbid idolatry, require honoring God’s name, and command keeping the Sabbath.
The last six commandments (Exodus 20:12–17) relate to love for others. They require honoring parents, forbidding murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and covetousness.
Thus, the Ten Commandments already anticipate the summary Jesus later gave. They reveal how love is expressed both vertically (to God) and horizontally (to neighbor).
3. The Greatest Commandments According to Jesus
When asked what commandment in the law was the greatest, Jesus replied with two clear statements:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Deuteronomy 6:5, quoted in Matthew 22:37).
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18, quoted in Matthew 22:39).
He added, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40).
This shows that the commandments of love are not a new set of ten, but rather two that summarize everything.
4. How the Ten Commandments Relate to the Two of Love
The two greatest commandments are the key that unlocks the meaning of the Ten Commandments. We can see this in a simple pattern:
Love God – Commandments 1–4 (no other gods, no idols, don’t misuse God’s name, keep the Sabbath).
Love Neighbor – Commandments 5–10 (honor parents, no murder, no adultery, no stealing, no false witness, no coveting).
The Ten Commandments are not abolished by love, but fulfilled by it. Paul explains: “Love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10).
5. The Depth of Love in the Gospel
The “commandments of love” go deeper than external action. Jesus taught that murder is rooted in anger (Matthew 5:21–22), adultery begins with lust (Matthew 5:27–28), and true love for enemies reflects the perfection of God (Matthew 5:43–48).
This reveals that:
Love for God means full devotion of heart, mind, and soul.
Love for neighbor means active good, even to those who oppose us.
The gospel proclaims that through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are freed from sin’s power and enabled by the Spirit to fulfill the law of love.
6. Why People Speak of “10 Commandments of Love”
Although not biblical, the phrase “10 commandments of love” is sometimes used in modern writing or sermons as a creative way to reframe the Ten Commandments in the language of love. For example:
“Love God alone.”
“Love God truly.”
“Love God’s name.”
“Love God’s day.”
“Love your parents.”
“Love life.”
“Love marriage.”
“Love honesty.”
“Love truth.”
“Love contentment.”
While this list is not from the Bible itself, it reflects how the two greatest commandments saturate the Ten. It can be helpful pedagogically, but should not replace the biblical text.
7. The Kingdom Perspective on Love
The gospel is not merely about keeping rules; it is about living under Christ’s reign. When Jesus identified love as the greatest command, He revealed the ethic of His kingdom.
In the present age, Christians embody kingdom life by loving God and neighbor in word and deed.
In the age to come, love will be perfected when Christ returns and God’s people dwell with Him forever.
Thus, the “commandments of love” are not just laws to obey—they are the shape of eternal life.
Conclusion
So, what are the 10 commandments of love? Strictly speaking, there are none. The Bible gives Ten Commandments at Sinai and two Greatest Commandments from Jesus. But these are not in competition—they harmonize. The Ten Commandments show how to live; the two commandments of love show why.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is bigger than external observance. It calls people into the kingdom of God, where love for God and love for neighbor summarize the whole law. These commandments are not ten but two, and they point us to the fullness of life in Christ.
Bible Verses About Love and the Commandments
Exodus 20:3 – “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:39 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mark 12:31 – “There is no other commandment greater than these.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.”
Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Galatians 5:14 – “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
James 2:8 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
