An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism · Martin Luther
1. KILL OR INJURE OTHER PERSONS.
_Murder_. To destroy any human life, even if it be very young or yet unborn, is a great crime. He who commits murder is to be punished with death. [Gen. 9:6+] Among the motives which prompt to murder are anger, hatred, [Gen. 4:1-8] envy, [Gen. 37] jealousy, revenge, [Matt. 14:3-11, Rom. 12:19+] frivolity, avarice, robbery, and a desire to hide past sin. [II Sam. 11] We must be on our guard against all that would ever tempt us to this great crime. _Duels_. It is foolish as well as sinful to pretend to establish the right or wrong of a question by a duel. _Unjust Wars_ are wholesale murder. Rulers must do all that they honorably can to prevent war. Yet as a last resort to maintain the right, war is justifiable. _Hatred_ is murder in the heart. "He that hateth his brother is a murderer." [I John 3:15, Matt. 5:21, 22+, Eph. 4:31, 32+] _Tempting Others_ to useless risks in which they may perish or be injured, or to drunkenness, dissipation, etc. which will shorten their life, is a transgression of this commandment. _Causing Accidents_ by neglect, carelessness or bad workmanship, or _Shortening Other People's Lives_ [Gen. 37:31-35] by maltreatment, overwork, worriment, etc. makes men guilty of sin against this commandment. _Neglect to Warn_ others of impending danger _or neglect to assist_ them in need may result in their injury or death.
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