The Third Commandment and Name Veneration in Christianity
The Third Commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain," is a foundational ethical principle in Abrahamic religions, emphasizing reverence for the divine name and, by extension, for God himself [10, 11]. While the precise wording varies slightly across translations, the core prohibition remains consistent. The Hebrew term for "in vain" (שָׁוְא, shav) can mean emptiness, falsehood, or worthlessness, suggesting that the commandment forbids using God's name lightly, falsely, or for trivial purposes [10].
Christian traditions interpret this commandment broadly, extending beyond mere verbal profanity to encompass a lifestyle of honoring God's character and attributes. Martin Luther's Small Catechism explains that God's name is taken in vain "when we curse, swear, use witchcraft, lie, or deceive by His name" [10]. However, it also includes praying, praising, and giving thanks to God, and using His name in every time of need, implying that the commandment is not merely prohibitive but also prescriptive, encouraging the proper and reverent use of God's name [10].
The concept of "name" in ancient Near Eastern thought, and thus in biblical contexts, often signifies the essence, character, and reputation of a person [1, 2]. To honor God's name is to honor God himself [1, 6]. The psalmist declares, "Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy" [2]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that giving glory to God's name is due to His nature, perfections, works, and blessings [6]. This understanding suggests that misusing God's name is an affront to His very being and holiness.
The New Testament further develops this idea, particularly in relation to the name of Jesus Christ. Believing "on the name of his Son Jesus Christ" is presented as a primary commandment, indicating that the name of Christ carries divine authority and significance [5]. The name "Christ" itself means "anointed" [3]. Baptism, a central Christian ordinance, is administered "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," signifying a dedication to the triune God and an identification with His divine authority [4]. This practice underscores the sacredness and power associated with the divine name in Christian worship and life.
The veneration of God's name also extends to the concept of sanctifying His name through obedience and even martyrdom. Ramban (Nachmanides), a Jewish scholar, interprets the command "And I will be hallowed among the children of Israel" (Leviticus 22:32) as a positive commandment to sanctify God's Name by observing the commandments, even to the point of submitting to death rather than transgressing them [8]. While this is a Jewish interpretation, the principle of honoring God through faithful living resonates deeply within Christian ethics. Sacrifices and offerings are seen as pleasing to God because they demonstrate honor and thanksgiving [7].
The early Church Fathers also engaged with the significance of names. Tertullian, for instance, discusses how the very "name" of Christian was a point of contention and accusation in the Roman world, yet he defends its merit [9]. This highlights how the identity associated with a name, especially a divine or divinely-connected name, carried profound implications for believers.
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 32:3 (BBE) — For I will give honour to the name of the Lord: let our God be named great.”
- Psalms “Psalms 99:3 (Webster) — Let them praise thy great and terrible name; [for] it [is] holy.”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Christ — anointed”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism — As administered by John -- Mt 3:5-12; Joh 3:23; Ac 13:24; 19:4. Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it -- Mt 3:13-15; Lu 3:21. Adopted by Christ -- Joh 3:22; 4:1,2. Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Mt 28:19. Water, the outward and visible sign in -- Ac 8:36; 10:47. Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of -- Joh 3:3,5,6; Ro 6:3,4,11. Remission of sins, signified by -- Ac 2:38; 22:16. Unity of the Church effected by -- 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:27,2”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:23: The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments, and pleasing God, as the qualification of effectual petitioners in and with Heaven, here suitably proceeds, I. To represent to us what those commandments primarily and summarily are; they are comprehended in this double one: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, Jo1 3:23. To believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ is, 1. To discern what he is, according to his name, to have an intellectual view of his perso”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 96:8: Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name,.... Or "the glory of his name" (q); whose name is glorious and excellent, because of his nature and perfections, because of the works done by him, and because of his benefits and blessings bestowed on his creatures; wherefore it is his due, and their duty, to give him glory; See Gill on Psa 29:2; see Gill on Psa 66:2, the word "Jehovah", or "Lord", being thrice mentioned in this and the preceding verse, in the ascription of glory, may lead our thoughts to the trinity of Persons, Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, to whom ”
- Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 15:3: 15:3 special gifts . . . a pleasing aroma to the Lord: God is pleased by the honor and thanksgiving that sacrifices and offerings show him.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Leviticus 22:32: AND I WILL BE HALLOWED AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. The meaning thereof according to the opinion of our Rabbis 163 Torath Kohanim, Emor 9:4: “When it states, And I will be hallowed it means: ‘be ready to die and hallow My Name.’” is that it constitutes a positive commandment, that we sanctify His Name by observing the commandments, and that [under certain circumstances] we submit to death rather than transgress them. 164 See “The Commandments,” Vol. I, pp. 12-15, for a full discussion of this commandment. This is the explanation of the following verse,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. III.(1)--THE GREAT OFFENCE IN THE CHRISTIANS LIES IN THEIR VERY NAME. THE NAME VINDICATED. (part 2): any case which is submitted to the judge,(11) inquired into against the defendant, responded to by him or denied, and cited from the bench, I acknowledge a legal charge. Concerning, then, the merit of a name, whatever offence names may be charged with, whatever impeachment words may be amenable to, I for my part(12) think, that not even a complaint is due to a word or a name, unless indeed it has a barbarous sound, or smacks of ill-luck, or is immodest, or is indec”
- Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), The Third Commandment.: The Third Commandment.”
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three:: Part Three: the Life of Faith 16 The third part of the Catechism deals with the final end of man created in the image of God: beatitude, and the ways of reaching it - through right conduct freely chosen, with the help of God's law and grace (Section One), and through conduct that fulfils the twofold commandment of charity, specified in God's Ten Commandments (Section Two).”