Commandment

Use in the book

Loving God and all people reveals the created world as a field of mutual service. A command can therefore disclose the worth of its objects, not merely impose an obligation upon an otherwise neutral act. Christ renews the command of reciprocal love among sinners with new reasons for obedience supplied by His own love. The psalmic commandment is pure and enlightening, and its sweetness surpasses precious metal. In this account duty does not become optional because it is delightful. Rather, the delight properly belongs to a truthful recognition of what the injunction protects and makes available. Ignorance of commandments is consequently also ignorance of one's own glory.

Places to read

1. I.20Divine laws apply the soul’s powers to God, angels, and people as objects of love.
2. I.76Christ renews mutual love under the obligations created by redemption.
3. II.2Failure to understand commandments accompanies ignorance of human dignity.
4. III.72The psalm’s pure commandment enlightens and belongs among goods sweeter than wealth.

In this edition

The singular “commandment” may name a particular injunction or occur within a scriptural parallel for divine law. It should not be assumed to identify only the Decalogue.