The First Commandment: No Other Gods as Foundation
The First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" [1, 2], establishes the exclusive worship of the one true God as the foundational principle of the Decalogue. This command is a direct prohibition against polytheism, distinguishing the God of Israel from the numerous deities worshipped by surrounding nations, such as the Egyptians and Canaanites [12]. The phrase "before me" or "in My presence" emphasizes that no other god is to be acknowledged or worshipped alongside the Lord [8].
This commandment underscores the unity of God, which is presented as a primary reason for exclusive obedience and supreme love towards Him [7]. Moses asserted this unity in Deuteronomy 4:39 and 6:4, and Christ himself affirmed it in Mark 12:29-30 [7]. The apostles likewise upheld the concept of one God, as seen in 1 Corinthians 8:4,6 and Ephesians 4:6 [7]. This unity is consistent with the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, as they are understood to be one with the Father [7].
The concept of "foundation" (Hebrew: addon) can refer to the lowest part of a building upon which it rests [3, 6]. In a theological sense, Christ is presented as the sole foundation upon which the spiritual building of faith is constructed [9, 10]. As 1 Corinthians 3:11 states, "For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" [9]. This means that while individuals may attempt to establish other foundations, such as personal righteousness or external religious practices, these are ultimately insufficient and ineffective [11]. The foundation of Jesus Christ is laid by God and is the only one recognized as valid [9, 11]. Christ's role as creator, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, further establishes his foundational significance [4, 5].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 5:7 (Webster) — Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
- Exodus “Exodus 20:3 (Webster) — Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Addon — basis; foundation; the Lord”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Foundation — The lowest part of a building, and on which it rests -- Lu 14:29; Ac 16:26. Figuratively applied to The heavens. -- 2Sa 22:8. The earth. -- Job 38:4; Ps 104:5. The world. -- Ps 18:15; Mt 13:35. The mountains. -- De 32:22. The ocean. -- Ps 104:8. Kingdoms. -- Ex 9:18. Laid for Cities. -- Jos 6:26; 1Ki 16:34. Walls. -- Ezr 4:12; Re 21:14. Houses. -- Lu 6:48. Temples. -- 1Ki 6:37; Ezr 3:10. Towers. -- Lu 14:28,29. Described as Of stone. -- 1Ki 5:17. Deep laid. -- Lu 6:48. Strongly laid. -- Ezr 6:3. Joined together by corner stones. -- Ezr 4:12; 1Pe 2:6; Eph”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Unity of God — A ground for obeying him exclusively -- De 4:39,40. A ground for loving him supremely -- De 6:4,5; Mr 12:29,30. Asserted by God himself. -- Isa 44:6,8; 45:18,21. Christ. -- Mr 12:29; Joh 17:3. Moses. -- De 4:39; 6:4. Apostles. -- 1Co 8:4,6; Eph 4:6; 1Ti 2:5. Consistent with the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit -- Joh 10:30; 1Jo 5:7; Joh 14:9-11. Exhibited in His greatness and wonderful works. -- 2Sa 7:22; Ps 86:10. His works of creation and providence. -- Isa 44:24; 45:5-8. His being alone possessed of fore-knowledge. -- Isa 46:9-11. His exercise”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me--in My presence, beside, or except Me.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:11: (Isa 28:16; Act 4:12; Eph 2:20). For--my warning ("take heed," &c. Co1 3:10) is as to the superstructure ("buildeth thereupon"), not as to the foundation: "For other foundation can no man lay, than that which has (already) been laid (by God) Jesus Christ," the person, not the mere abstract doctrine about Him, though the latter also is included; Jesus, GOD-SAVIOUR; Christ, MESSIAH or ANOINTED. can--A man can not lay any other, since the only one recognized by God has been already laid.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 3:11: Other foundation can no man lay - I do not speak particularly concerning the foundation of this spiritual building; it can have no other foundation than Jesus Christ: there cannot be two opinions on this subject among the true apostles of our Lord. The only fear is, lest an improper use should be made of this heavenly doctrine; lest a bad superstructure should be raised on this foundation.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay,.... Men may attempt to lay other foundations than Christ, and build upon them, but to no purpose; they will be of no avail; all besides him are sandy foundations; such as fleshly privileges, a carnal descent, a religious education, an external profession of religion, a man's own righteousness, and the absolute mercy of God; but men ought to lay no other, nor can they, that will be of any advantage to themselves or others: than that which is laid; by Jehovah the Father, both in his eternal counsels and covenant, when he set”
- Exodus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. This is the first command, and is opposed to the polytheism of the Gentiles, the Egyptians, from whom Israel was just come, and whose gods some of them might have had a favourable opinion of and liking to, and had committed idolatry with; and the Canaanites, into whose land they were going; and to prevent their joining with them in the worship of other gods, this law was given, as well as to be of standing us to them in all generations; for there is but one only living and true God, the former and maker of all things, who only ”