What is the tenth Commandment?
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbor. [Exodus 20:17 Brenton's LXX; cf. Deut. 5:21]
After what manner are we rightly to understand this Commandment?
Among all the Commandments that relate to charity, or love towards our neighbor, this is the most complete and full; for it not only forbids outward actions, but even also those of the inward parts of man; and the evil inclinations which arise from the deliberate purposes and will of men’s minds to do evil. This Commandment, therefore, fulfills all Christian Perfection; and he who truly keeps it, may be thought to have done full justice to his neighbor. For, that which thou wouldst not that another should do unto thee, that do not thou unto another. And herein is all Christian Salvation contained; that, no one should desire anything that is averse to God or his neighbor; but on the other hand, that, he should love God more than himself, and his neighbor as himself. These duties, if we perform and do in this world, with the love of our Lord and God, rightly and duly, and with the Catholic and Orthodox Faith; then, surely, without any doubting, we may hope to obtain the supreme perfection of Charity in the World to come; and to praise and celebrate in Heaven, that One Only God, who is worshipped in Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for ever and for ever. Amen.
Q. What is forbidden in the tenth Commandment?
A. All unjust desiring or coveting is hereby condemned, and whatever in the five foregoing precepts is forbidden to be done, the very thoughts of so doing is forbidden here, and what is commanded to be done, the first secret motions of the heart towards the non-performance is here condemned. And therefore it is not enough to abstain from injuring others, but we must not desire or lust after what belongs to our neighbor, as for example, the 6th Commandment forbids taking away another man's life, but the first angry intentions of hurting the body of our neighbor is forbidden here. The 7th forbids criminal familiarity with another man's wife, or of a woman with another's husband, but here lusting only after a woman is condemned. The 8th forbids appropriating other men’s goods, etc. And therefore this 10th Commandment comprehends all those of the Second Table, as the first Commandment implies all the Commands of the First Table, relating to God and His worship.
Q. What is forbidden by the tenth Commandment?
A. All wishes inconsistent with charity to our neighbor, and thoughts that are inseparable from such wishes.
Q. Why are we forbidden not only evil deeds, but also evil wishes and thoughts?
A. First, because when the soul entertains any evil wishes or thoughts, it is already impure in God's sight, and unworthy of Him; as Solomon says: An unrighteous thought is abomination to the Lord [Prov. 15:26 Brenton's LXX]. And therefore we must needs cleanse ourselves also from these inward impurities also, as the Apostle teaches: let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, bringing to perfection holiness in the fear of God. [2 Cor. 7:1b ONT] Secondly, because, to prevent sinful acts, it is necessary to crush sinful wishes and thoughts, from which, as from seeds, such actions spring; as it is said: For out of the heart cometh forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies. [Mt. 15:19 ONT] But each is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own desire. Then after he conceiveth the desire, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, after it is fully formed, bringeth forth death. [Jas. 1:14-15 ONT]
Q. When we are forbidden to desire any thing of our neighbor's, what passion is hereby condemned?
A. Envy.
Q. What is forbidden by the words, Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife? [Exodus 20:17a Brenton's LXX; cf. Deut. 5:21a]
A. All lustful thoughts and wishes, or inward adultery.
Q. What is forbidden by the words, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house; nor his field, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any of his cattle, nor whatever belongs to thy neighbor? [Exodus 20:17b Brenton's LXX; cf. Deut. 5:21b]
A. All thoughts of avarice and ambition.
Q. What positive duties, corresponding to these prohibitions, are prescribed by the tenth Commandment?
A. First, to keep purity of heart; and, secondly, to be content with our lot.
Q. What is indispensable for the cleansing of the heart?
A. The frequent and earnest invocation of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.