"Thou shalt not covet," as set down in Exodus 20:17, is applied as surely to one's neighbor's dwelling as to his wife; to his household animals as to his servants; so the conclusion is reached that this covetous attitude of thought must be avoided concerning "any thing that is thy neighbour's."
The word "covet," with its derivatives is employed in the New Testament not only in a reprehensible sense but also sometimes in a praiseworthy sense, their common denominator being strong desire. The tenth commandment denounces the desire for what is not one's own, whether legally or morally; but elsewhere, when turned to constructive uses, such strong desire is both commended and demanded. Thus the Apostle Paul called upon the people of Corinth to "covet earnestly the best gifts" (I Cor. 12:31), counseling them further to "covet to prophesy" (14:39), clearly indicating the necessity of turning their desires into truly progressive and uplifting channels.
In many respects the tenth commandment appears to be closely associated with the seventh, adultery being often the direct result of unbridled desire. Not only does Deuteronomy (5:21), in its understanding of the tenth commandment, condemn covetous desire shown toward a married woman, but Paul, commenting upon this commandment, states (Rom. 7:7, 8): "I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence." Moreover Peter links those who have "eyes full of adultery" with men who have "an heart... exercised with covetous practices" (II Pet. 2:14).
