Oaths/Promises
- Thread starter JosephJay
- Start date
Well, sure we can promise things to people, but we must not promise
something that goes against God. Jesus in the Bible taught us that
as Christians we must be dependable, honest, and trustworthy.
That is why Jesus said let your no be no and your yes be yes. Matthew 5:37
Promising something to someone and not doing it is not displaying
Godly behavior. But we must also not swear on God's name and
not promise anything to anyone that is not right with God. I hope that
has helped clarify some
If you need anything more on the subject I
shall dive deeper into my Bible God Bless
something that goes against God. Jesus in the Bible taught us that
as Christians we must be dependable, honest, and trustworthy.
That is why Jesus said let your no be no and your yes be yes. Matthew 5:37
Promising something to someone and not doing it is not displaying
Godly behavior. But we must also not swear on God's name and
not promise anything to anyone that is not right with God. I hope that
has helped clarify some
If you need anything more on the subject I shall dive deeper into my Bible
God Bless
Boanerges
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2009
- Messages
- 3,892
Just my personal view:
This is a response to moral and cultural issues that pervaded the Jewish culture. I really do not think Jesus would mind me pledging allegiance tot he country that I love. Again, this is just my view. Let us examing the historical aspects that were the roots of these verses:
From Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
Mat 5:33
Thou shalt not forswear thyself - Christ here proceeds to correct another false interpretation of the law. The law respecting oaths is found in Lev_19:12, and Deu_23:23. By those laws people were forbid to perjure themselves, or to forswear, that is, swear falsely.
Perform unto the Lord - Perform literally, really, and religiously what is promised in an oath.
Thine oaths - An oath is a solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed, and imprecating his vengeance, and renouncing his favor if what is affirmed is false. A false oath is called perjury, or, as in this place, forswearing.
It appears, however, from this passage, as well as from the ancient writings of the Jewish rabbins, that while the Jews professedly adhered to the law, they had introduced a number of oaths in common conversation, and oaths which they by no means considered to be binding. For example, they would swear by the temple, by the head, by heaven, by the earth. So long as they kept from swearing by the name Yahweh, and so long as they observed the oaths publicly taken, they seemed to consider all others as allowable, and allowedly broken. This is the abuse which Christ wished to correct. “It was the practice of swearing in common conversation, and especially swearing by created things.” To do this, he said that they were mistaken in their views of the sacredness of such oaths. They were very closely connected with God; and to trifle with them was a species of trifling with God. Heaven is his throne; the earth his footstool; Jerusalem his special abode; the head was made by him, and was so much under his control that we could not make one hair white or black. To swear by these things, therefore, was to treat irreverently objects created by God, and could not be without guilt. It is remarkable that the sin here condemned by the Saviour prevails still in Palestine in the same form and manner referred to here. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. ii. p. 284) says, “The people now use the very same sort of oaths that are mentioned and condemned by our Lord. They swear by the head, by their life, by heaven, and by the temple, or what is in its place, the church. The forms of cursing and swearing, however, are almost infinite, and fall on the pained ear all day long.”
Our Saviour here evidently had no reference to judicial oaths, or oaths taken in a court of justice. It was merely the foolish and wicked habit of swearing in private conversation; of swearing on every occasion and by everything that he condemned. This he does condemn in a most unqualified manner. He himself, however, did not refuse to take an oath in a court of law, Mat_26:63-64. So Paul often called God to witness his sincerity, which is all that is meant by an oath. See Rom_1:9; Rom_9:1; Gal_1:20; Heb_6:16. Oaths were, moreover, prescribed in the law of Moses, and Christ did not come to repeal those laws. See Exo_22:11; Lev_5:1; Num_5:19; Deu_29:12, Deu_29:14.
From Adam Clarkes Commentaries on the Bible:
Mat 5:33
Thou shalt not forswear thyself - They dishonor the great God, and break this commandment, who use frequent oaths and imprecations, even in reference to things that are true; and those who make vows and promises, which they either cannot perform, or do not design to fulfill, are not less criminal. Swearing in civil matters is become so frequent, that the dread and obligation of an oath are utterly lost in it. In certain places, where oaths are frequently administered, people have been known to kiss their thumb or pen, instead of the book, thinking thereby to avoid the sin of perjury; but this is a shocking imposition on their own souls. See the notes on Deu_4:26; Deu_6:13.
Perform unto the Lord thine oaths - The morality of the Jews on this point was truly execrable: they maintained, that a man might swear with his lips, and annul it in the same moment in his heart. Rab. Akiba is quoted as an example of this kind of swearing. See Schoettgen.
This is a response to moral and cultural issues that pervaded the Jewish culture. I really do not think Jesus would mind me pledging allegiance tot he country that I love. Again, this is just my view. Let us examing the historical aspects that were the roots of these verses:
From Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
Mat 5:33
Thou shalt not forswear thyself - Christ here proceeds to correct another false interpretation of the law. The law respecting oaths is found in Lev_19:12, and Deu_23:23. By those laws people were forbid to perjure themselves, or to forswear, that is, swear falsely.
Perform unto the Lord - Perform literally, really, and religiously what is promised in an oath.
Thine oaths - An oath is a solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed, and imprecating his vengeance, and renouncing his favor if what is affirmed is false. A false oath is called perjury, or, as in this place, forswearing.
It appears, however, from this passage, as well as from the ancient writings of the Jewish rabbins, that while the Jews professedly adhered to the law, they had introduced a number of oaths in common conversation, and oaths which they by no means considered to be binding. For example, they would swear by the temple, by the head, by heaven, by the earth. So long as they kept from swearing by the name Yahweh, and so long as they observed the oaths publicly taken, they seemed to consider all others as allowable, and allowedly broken. This is the abuse which Christ wished to correct. “It was the practice of swearing in common conversation, and especially swearing by created things.” To do this, he said that they were mistaken in their views of the sacredness of such oaths. They were very closely connected with God; and to trifle with them was a species of trifling with God. Heaven is his throne; the earth his footstool; Jerusalem his special abode; the head was made by him, and was so much under his control that we could not make one hair white or black. To swear by these things, therefore, was to treat irreverently objects created by God, and could not be without guilt. It is remarkable that the sin here condemned by the Saviour prevails still in Palestine in the same form and manner referred to here. Dr. Thomson (The Land and the Book, vol. ii. p. 284) says, “The people now use the very same sort of oaths that are mentioned and condemned by our Lord. They swear by the head, by their life, by heaven, and by the temple, or what is in its place, the church. The forms of cursing and swearing, however, are almost infinite, and fall on the pained ear all day long.”
Our Saviour here evidently had no reference to judicial oaths, or oaths taken in a court of justice. It was merely the foolish and wicked habit of swearing in private conversation; of swearing on every occasion and by everything that he condemned. This he does condemn in a most unqualified manner. He himself, however, did not refuse to take an oath in a court of law, Mat_26:63-64. So Paul often called God to witness his sincerity, which is all that is meant by an oath. See Rom_1:9; Rom_9:1; Gal_1:20; Heb_6:16. Oaths were, moreover, prescribed in the law of Moses, and Christ did not come to repeal those laws. See Exo_22:11; Lev_5:1; Num_5:19; Deu_29:12, Deu_29:14.
From Adam Clarkes Commentaries on the Bible:
Mat 5:33
Thou shalt not forswear thyself - They dishonor the great God, and break this commandment, who use frequent oaths and imprecations, even in reference to things that are true; and those who make vows and promises, which they either cannot perform, or do not design to fulfill, are not less criminal. Swearing in civil matters is become so frequent, that the dread and obligation of an oath are utterly lost in it. In certain places, where oaths are frequently administered, people have been known to kiss their thumb or pen, instead of the book, thinking thereby to avoid the sin of perjury; but this is a shocking imposition on their own souls. See the notes on Deu_4:26; Deu_6:13.
Perform unto the Lord thine oaths - The morality of the Jews on this point was truly execrable: they maintained, that a man might swear with his lips, and annul it in the same moment in his heart. Rab. Akiba is quoted as an example of this kind of swearing. See Schoettgen.
disciple60
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2010
- Messages
- 1
There is that old phrase that seems appropriate at times when we think we need to make a promise...... We can never be sure of the outcome so Jesus says either answer yes or no, do not hang in between. A man is as good as his promise, sort of thing.....but the phrase that comes to mind is "If the Lord is willing then........" That leaves it up to providence, so much of the time we get ourselves in trouble by swearing we will do this or that, and never follow through. Include the Lord with what you say will happen and i think your safe. As far as saying the pledge of allegiance.......the phrase "When in Rome do as the Romans" comes to mind. So that is OK too. I do not think you are putting your allegiance to the country above that of the Lord....
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Howdy Joseph I think that Disciple60 gave you good advice.
James 14:13-17
13) Go to now ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16) But now ye rejoice in your boasting: all such rejoicing is evil.
17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
This is how Paul answer a request made to him.
Acts 18:20-21
20) When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21) But bade them farewell, saying I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
As for saying the pledge to the flag, I believe it alright as we are to render to all their due:
Romans 13:5-7
5) Wherefore ye must need be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Probably would be best if you read all of Romans 13, first seven verses deal with our duty to our Government but the rest of chapter is also great.
The only time we aren't to obey our government is if that ask something against God's Word;
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
James 14:13-17
13) Go to now ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15) For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16) But now ye rejoice in your boasting: all such rejoicing is evil.
17) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
This is how Paul answer a request made to him.
Acts 18:20-21
20) When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21) But bade them farewell, saying I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
As for saying the pledge to the flag, I believe it alright as we are to render to all their due:
Romans 13:5-7
5) Wherefore ye must need be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
6) For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7) Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
Probably would be best if you read all of Romans 13, first seven verses deal with our duty to our Government but the rest of chapter is also great.
The only time we aren't to obey our government is if that ask something against God's Word;
Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
