Introduction
The Ten Commandments (or Decalogue) stand as one of the most recognized moral codes in history, central to both Judaism and Christianity. Yet many Christians notice a puzzling detail: Catholics and Protestants number the Ten Commandments differently.
Some critics even claim the Catholic Church “removed” the commandment against idols or “split” another to keep them ten. But is this true? In this article, we will explore the biblical text, the teachings of the Church Fathers, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) to clarify:
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Why the numbering is different.
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Whether the content actually changes.
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Which version is truly “original” according to the Bible.
The Biblical Source of the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are found in two main passages:
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Exodus 20:1–17
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Deuteronomy 5:6–21
Both passages present the commandments but without numbering them “1 through 10.” The text is continuous, and it is up to interpreters to group the statements into ten. This explains why differences in numbering exist across traditions.
Historical Roots of the Numbering
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Origen (3rd century) and Eastern tradition separated “no other gods” and “no idols” as two commands, while treating coveting as one.
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St. Augustine (4th–5th century) grouped “no other gods” + “no idols” together as one, and split coveting into two (wife / property).
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Roman Catholics and Lutherans adopted Augustine’s division.
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Reformed Protestants and Orthodox Churches generally follow Origen’s scheme.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2066–2067) explicitly states it follows Augustine’s numbering.
Thus, the difference is not manipulation, but ancient tradition.
Comparative Table of the Ten Commandments
| Catholic / Augustinian | Protestant / Reformed | Biblical Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I am the Lord your God; you shall have no other gods. | 1. You shall have no other gods before me. | Exodus 20:2–3 |
| 2. You shall not take the Lord’s name in vain. | 2. You shall not make idols or graven images. | Exodus 20:4–6 |
| 3. Remember the Sabbath day. | 3. You shall not misuse the Lord’s name. | Exodus 20:7–11 |
| 4. Honor your father and mother. | 4. Remember the Sabbath day. | Exodus 20:12 |
| 5. You shall not kill. | 5. Honor your father and mother. | Exodus 20:13 |
| 6. You shall not commit adultery. | 6. You shall not kill. | Exodus 20:14 |
| 7. You shall not steal. | 7. You shall not commit adultery. | Exodus 20:15 |
| 8. You shall not bear false witness. | 8. You shall not steal. | Exodus 20:16 |
| 9. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. | 9. You shall not bear false witness. | Exodus 20:17a |
| 10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. | 10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. | Exodus 20:17b |
👉 Key point: The content is identical; only the grouping differs.
Did Catholics Remove the “Idols” Commandment?
This is a common misconception. In Catholic teaching:
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The First Commandment (“no other gods”) includes the prohibition of idols.
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The Catechism (CCC 2112–2114) explicitly condemns idolatry in all forms.
Thus, Catholicism has never removed the idol prohibition — it is simply part of Commandment #1.
Which Version Is the Original?
The Bible itself is the original. Both Exodus and Deuteronomy present the commandments without numbered labels. Therefore:
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Catholic and Protestant numbering systems are both legitimate ancient traditions.
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The real authority is the inspired text itself, not the later numbering.
Conclusion
The differences between Catholic and Protestant numbering of the Ten Commandments are not evidence of corruption but of ancient diversity in interpretation. Both traditions preserve the same divine law.
As the Catechism (CCC 2065) teaches:
“The Ten Commandments state what is required in the love of God and love of neighbor. The Ten Commandments are fundamental obligations. They are unchangeable.”
Therefore, the question is not “Which list is real?” but rather: How do we faithfully live the same Commandments given by God?
Read also: Did the Catholic Church Change the Ten Commandments? A Biblical and Historical Answer
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