Deuteronomy 5:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In the Old Testament, the people were strictly prohibited from approaching the location where the law was given, facing severe repercussions. However, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit descended upon those assembled, eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of the promise. There, God's hand inscribed His commandments on stone tablets; here, His truth is written on the hearts of believers (cf. Jer. 31:33). The law was initially imparted externally, evoking fear in the unrighteous; now, it emerges from within, granting justification. The commands, such as You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, and You shall not covet, as mentioned by the Apostle Paul, are encapsulated in the directive to love your neighbor as yourself (see Rom. 13:9).

God initially guided humanity through the inherent commandments instilled in our hearts, namely the Ten Commandments, compliance with which is essential for salvation. Moses affirms this in Deuteronomy, stating, “These words the Lord spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel upon the mount, and added nothing, and wrote it upon two boards, and gave it unto me,” to ensure that those who choose to follow Him would adhere to these commandments. He commanded love towards God and emphasized justice towards one’s neighbor, urging humanity to be just and worthy of the Divine. The Ten Commandments were given as a means for individuals to foster friendship with God and live in harmony with others, ultimately benefiting humanity since God Himself requires nothing from us. Thus, Scripture reiterates, “These words the Lord spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel in the mount, and added nothing,” emphasizing that He, as previously mentioned, lacks any need from them.