9th Commandment

Question 1

9th Commandment

Answer 1

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16; Deut 5:20)

Question 2

9th Commandment: Relationship to the First Commandment

Answer 2

• No direct explicit connection to the 1st. but the idea of worshipping God exclusively is characterized by worshipping in truth so it involves the idea of truth
• Connects to the 3rd commandment due to using God’s name to signify truth telling

Question 3

9th Commandment: Theological Justification

Answer 3

i. God is truth. It is his character
ii. A connection to the 3rd commandment because oaths and vows in the use of God’s name obligates you to truth
iii. John 4:24 – We worship God in spirit and in truth

Question 4

9th Commandment: Results

Answer 4

i. No specific results given

ii. There are consequences for the violation of the commandment in scripture

Question 5

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Legal Testimony 1

Answer 5

• The Hebrew phrase עד שקר (ed seqer) expresses the idea of false testimony within a legal setting
• The witness played a crucial role in the Hebrew culture of upholding justice and stability in the community. (Ex 23:1–3, 6–8)

Question 6

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Legal Testimony 2

Answer 6

• The penalty for bearing false witness among the Hebrews was to receive the punishment due to the party that would have been guilty due to the testimony given
  1. “The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.” (Deut 19:18–19)
  2. Two or more witnesses were required for a conviction.
  3. This served as a deterrent against bearing false witness.
  4. Punishment followed lex talionis.

Question 7

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Truth Telling - Extension

Answer 7

• An extension of the commandment leads to the idea of truth telling
  1. “Dishonesty in general, not merely in court cases, is also forbidden. This statute generally protects a person’s name and forbids harming and defaming one’s neighbor through slander and unbridled defamation. Gossip, slander, and obsequious flattery are to be shunned.” Mark Rooker

Question 8

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Truth Telling - Lying Tongue

Answer 8

• God hates a lying tongue
  1. “There are six things which the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: . . . A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.” (Prov 6:16, 19)
  2. “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.” (Prov 12:22)

Question 9

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Truth Telling - Truth in Love

Answer 9

iii. Christians are commanded to speak the truth in love
1. “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.” (Eph 4:15)
2. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.” (Eph 4:25)

Question 10

9th Commandment: Ethical Impact - Truth Telling - God cannot lie

Answer 10

iv. God cannot lie
1. “. . . in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago. . . .” (Titus 1:2)
2. We are to imitate God.