Ten commandments Quote by Timothy Keller
““Why do the Ten Commandments begin with a prohibition of idolatry? It is, Luther argued, because we never break the other commandments without breaking the first.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Ten Commandments, 2015
Idolatry is the root; breaking it leads to breaking all others.
In simple terms: Idolatry is the first sin that leads to others.
Key Takeaway
Guard against placing anything above God.
Themes
faith
morality
hierarchy
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
expository
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church teaching
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
idolatry
sin cascade
spiritual discipline
Questions to Reflect On
- Is idolatry the most dangerous sin?
- How do you prioritize God in daily life?
A Different Perspective
Some argue other sins can be independent.
![“Luther argued that freedom from sin through Christ’s grace encouraged and inspired Christians to perform good works out of immense gratitude and love for Christ: “The works themselves do not justify him [man] before God, but he does the works out of spontaneous love in obedience to God.” quote by Michelle DeRusha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a8c/michelle-derusha-83830_christianity_luther-argued-that-freedom-from-sin-thro_2505626.jpg)
![“The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.” quote by John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/95c/john-quincy-adams-2098_code_the-law-given-from-sinai-the-ten-command_79543.jpg)
![“24 A few pages later, Delbanco writes the following: [Alexis de] Tocqueville’s detection of a “strange melancholy in the midst of abundance” has a special salience today — because while we have gotten very good at deconstructing old stories (the religion that was the subject of my first chapter…” quote by Timothy Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85a/timothy-keller-240_sad_24-a-few-pages-later-delbanco-writes-the_25320.jpg)
