Anything relating to the true God – His being, His nature, His will, His works, His worship, His service, or His doctrine – pertains to God’s name. This commandment extends to the state of men’s thoughts and hearts – as well as to their speech. To take God’s name in vain, is to use it in any frivolous, false, inconsiderate, irreverent, or otherwise wicked manner. The scope of this commandment is to secure the holy and reverent use of all that by which God makes Himself known to His people; and so to guard His sacred name against all that is calculated to make it contemptible. The manner of taking His name is to be grave, solemn, intelligent, thoughtful, sincere, and with godly fear.
— William Plumer (1802–1880), Pastor, Theologe
Related Bible passage: EXO.20.7
Topics: God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit, The Bible & the Word of God
William Plumer
William Swan Plumer war ein US-amerikanischer presbyterianischer Pastor, Theologieprofessor und Autor des 19. Jahrhunderts, der in Bundesstaaten wie Pennsylvania, Virginia und South Carolina wirkte. Er verband eine streng calvinistische Dogmatik mit alltagsnaher Seelsorge, stand jedoch wegen seiner ablehnenden Haltung zum Abolitionismus und seiner Weigerung, im Bürgerkrieg für die Union Partei zu ergreifen, in der Kritik. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnet er vor allem durch seine Bibelkommentare sowie durch erbauliche Texte über Gnade, Gottesfurcht und göttliche Vorsehung.
All quotes by William Plumer (8)
You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus calls us not to a new religion, but to life.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I would not be able to seek you if you had not already found me.
Augustine of Hippo
When you see a child, you catch God in the act.
Martin Luther
God does not love us because we are lovable, but because his nature is love.
Oswald Chambers
God seeks you more than your offering.
Augustine of Hippo
God has his ear at your heart.
Augustine of Hippo
God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.
Augustine of Hippo