Who Wrote the 10 Commandments? And What Are the 7 Capital Sins in the Bible?

What are the 10 Commandments?

In the biblical account, the 10 Commandments were written not by Moses but by God Himself, as per the following verses from the Book of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 10:1-5: “At that time the LORD said to me, ‘Cut for yourself two tablets of stone like the first and come up to me on the mountain and make an ark of wood. And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark. ’ So I made an ark of acacia wood and cut two tablets of stone like the first and went up the mountain with the two tablets in my hand. And he wrote on the tablets in the same writing as before the Ten Commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. And the LORD gave them to me. Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark that I had made. And there they are as the LORD commanded me.’”

The Ten Commandments are a set of fundamental moral laws given by God to Moses, which were then passed on to the Israelites. These commandments are often seen as the base of ethical and moral living, emphasizing respect for others and God. They are more than just a list of dos and don'ts; they represent the principles of the Natural Law, a moral framework that can be discerned through reason and divine revelation.

The 7 Capital Sins: A Question of Classification

The concept of the 7 Capital Sins, also known as the 7 Deadly Sins, is associated more with Christian ethics and theology than with explicit biblical lists. These sins are: - Pride (HYPERLINK "")
- Covetousness (HYPERLINK "")
- Lust (HYPERLINK "")
- Anger (HYPERLINK "")
- Gluttony (HYPERLINK "")
- Envy (HYPERLINK "")
- Sloth (HYPERLINK "")

Evagrius Ponticos, a 4th-century desert father, identified seven or eight evil thoughts or spirits that needed to be overcome. He categorized these thoughts into what would become the 7 Deadly Sins. This classification was later adopted by John Cassian, a leading disciple of Evagrius, who wrote the book The Institutes and brought the concept to Europe. It became fundamental to Catholic confessional practices, used in penitential manuals, sermons, and even artworks such as Dante's Purgatory where the penitents of Mount Purgatory are depicted as being grouped and penanced according to the worst capital sin they committed.

The Bible’s Lists of Evil

While the 10 Commandments and the 7 Deadly Sins are well-known, the Bible does provide other lists that categorize moral failings. For example:

Proverbs 6:16-19: “There are six things the Lord hates; yes, seven are an abomination to him: a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who spreads slander, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”

1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were redeemed, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

These passages list behaviors that the Bible explicitly condemns. Unlike the 7 Deadly Sins, these lists are not organized into a particular set of vices but rather emphasize specific behaviors that separate individuals from the realm of the righteous.

Conclusion

Biblical teachings about ethical behavior are multifaceted, reflecting both divine commandments and spiritual disciplines. While the 10 Commandments provide clear guidelines for moral living, the 7 Deadly Sins and other lists within the Bible offer a nuanced understanding of the spiritual journey and the battle against sin. Understanding these concepts can help modern readers navigate the moral complexities of today's world.