Which is the Second Commandment? – Clearing Confusion for Catholics

Fr. Vincent Barboza
Jul 20
3 min read

In an age where people often turn to the internet for quick answers to matters of faith, confusion can easily arise—especially when it comes to something as fundamental as the Ten Commandments. A common question Catholics may encounter is: “Is the Second Commandment about not taking God’s name in vain, or is it about not making graven images?”

If you’ve Googled this, you’ve likely found a version that differs from what you were taught in your Catholic catechism. That’s because the Protestant and Catholic traditions differ in how they number the Ten Commandments—not in their content, but in their division and emphasis.

This article will clarify the Catholic understanding, explain the Protestant division, and show why it matters—especially in how we understand sin, relationships, and God’s commandments.

Catholic vs. Protestant Numbering of the Ten Commandments

Here’s a comparison between the Catholic and Protestant lists of the Ten Commandments:

Why the difference?

The original text of the Ten Commandments in the Bible (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5) doesn’t number the commandments. Over time, Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant traditions developed different groupings of the same material. While the content remains biblically faithful, the divisions reflect different theological emphases.

So, what is the Second Commandment for Catholics?

For Catholics, the Second Commandment is: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

This commandment emphasizes reverence for God’s name—speaking about God with respect, avoiding blasphemy, false oaths, or casual use of the divine name.

This is deeply connected to worship and the interior attitude of reverence, which is foundational for any genuine relationship with God.

What About the “Graven Images” Commandment?

Catholics do not ignore the commandment against graven images. It is included within the First Commandment, which prohibits idolatry in all its forms. The Catholic Church teaches that veneration of sacred images is not idol worship, as clarified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§2131–2132). The images serve as visual reminders—not substitutes—for the realities they represent.

The Real Problem: Combining the Two “Covet” Commandments

One of the most concerning differences in the Protestant division is the merging of the two distinct "covet" commandments into one. This leads to a troubling implication.

The Protestant version:

“You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.” (Exodus 20:17)

This merges coveting your neighbour’s wife and coveting your neighbour’s goods into a single commandment. But this sends a problematic message.

Neighbour’s Wife or Possession? Why This Matters

When wife, servants, animals, and property are listed side by side as things not to covet, it risks treating the wife as one more item in a man’s possession. Even if that’s not the intention, the structure of the merged commandment could unintentionally suggest that a woman is part of the man's property—like his donkey or ox.

This is a serious concern:

It undermines the dignity of women and the sacramental nature of marriage.
It confuses two moral categories: Lust and impurity of heart (coveting a wife) Envy and greed (coveting goods)

The Catholic distinction is intentional:

The Ninth Commandment guards the purity of heart and respect for marriage: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.”
The Tenth Commandment addresses envy and material greed: “You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.”

By keeping them distinct, the Catholic tradition affirms the unique dignity of persons and the moral clarity needed for formation of conscience.

Why Catholics Must Know Their Ten Commandments

When Catholics search online or attend ecumenical events, they might encounter different presentations of the Ten Commandments and become confused—or misled. Some may even begin to question their catechesis or assume the Catholic Church changed or omitted commandments, which is not true.

Knowing the Catholic division helps:

Deepen your understanding of each commandment’s focus
Clarify the Church’s consistent teaching through Scripture and Tradition
Avoid theological errors, especially regarding human dignity and moral formation

Conclusion

So, what is the Second Commandment?

If you're Catholic, it is: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

But more than just knowing the correct numbering, it's essential to understand why the Church presents the commandments this way.

By preserving the separation between coveting a person and coveting things, the Catholic tradition maintains the dignity of the human person, the sacredness of relationships, and the moral clarity needed in today’s culture.