Lesson 1: To Attain Eternal Life and the Commandments of God

Vocabulary practice flashcards exploring the biblical basis, division, inner meaning, and fulfillment of the Ten Commandments as presented in Christian scripture and teaching.

Path to Eternal Life (Mt. 19:16-17)

Jesus' instruction to the rich young man that if one wishes to enter into eternal life, one must keep the Commandments.

The Greatest and First Commandment

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Mt. 22:37-38).

The Second Greatest Commandment

To love your neighbor as yourself, which together with the first commandment forms the foundation on which hang all the Law and prophets (Mt. 22:39-40).

The Old Covenant (Ex. 19:5)

The covenant established in the desert of Sinai where God declared Israel would be His treasured possession out of all peoples if they obeyed His voice and kept His covenant.

Covenantal Tablets

The two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Basis of God's Commandments

Love, whose fundamental essence is the love of God and the love of fellow brethren.

First Section of the Decalogue

The first three Commandments, which specifically govern the relationship of man with God.

Second Section of the Decalogue

The remaining seven Commandments, which instruct people on the mutual relationships between human beings.

Hebrews 8:10

The passage declaring the transition of the Commandments from stone tablets to being put in human minds and written on human hearts.

Inner Meaning of the Fifth Commandment

The duty not only to avoid murder, but also to actively respect, protect, and maintain the dignity of human life.

Inner Meaning of the Seventh Commandment

The duty not only to avoid stealing, but also to protect others' properties and remain just in the use of money.

Fulfillment of the Law

Jesus' mission not to nullify the commandments, but to complete them through love, justice, and eliminating internal evils such as anger.

Sermon on the Mount

Jesus' teaching providing a detailed explanation of God's Commandments, replacing 'an eye for an eye' with loving enemies and conquering evil with goodness.

John 15:10

Jesus' teaching that whoever keeps His commandments will abide in His love, just as He kept His Father's commandments and abides in His love.

Hallmark of a Christian

Love, which is nurtured by obeying God's Commandments sincerely in daily life in order to inherit eternal life.