Summary Notes
Make No Oath
Jesus said to make no oath but simply use “YES” or “NO.” When He said this, He was talking about divorce and about breaking vows. Do not make an oath (a promise that invokes a divine consequence if broken) is the simple meaning. The reason why I should not make an oath is because an oath is ultimately tied to God and may be impossible to keep due to circumstances.
Make No Promises
If I say “Yes” or “No” to someone , my word should be sufficient and I should do as I’ve committed. There is no need for me to swear it upon my grandma’s grave, for instance. I don’t hear this kind of talk much anymore; but I have heard people say such things. I’ve also heard them say things like, “…as God is my witness,” or, “…trust me!” Jesus is saying all such added words are not good. Eventually, I will not be able to keep a promise.
Although this verse is not specifically about business contracts, the principle of following through with business promises is certainly applicable. Actually, following through with action on any commitment I’ve made is applicable.
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12 “… make no oath at all …”
13 “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ {or} ‘No, no’…”
Mt 5:34-37
CONTEXT:
Mt 5:31-33 “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; 32but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for {the} reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
33”Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’“
RECIPIENT: To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain,
Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…
COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:
Mt 5:34-37 “But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ {or} ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.“
RESULT:
After Jesus concluded the sermon, two chapters later:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
MY COMMENTS AND NOTES:
The verses immediately preceding this command are talking about marriage and divorce which is the breaking of a vow. Leviticus 19, Numbers 30 and Deuteronomy 23 state that a vow made to God is to be fulfilled.
Lv 19:12 And you shall not swear by My name to a falsehood; nor shall you pollute the name of your God; I am Jehovah.
Nu 30:2 When a man vows a vow to Jehovah, or has sworn an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do all that has gone out of his mouth.
Dt 23:21-23 “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you. 22“However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. 23“You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.
This command is further instruction not to make promises with an oath because such an oath is ultimately tied to God and may be impossible to keep due to circumstances. Although this verse is not about business contracts, the principle of following through with business promises is certainly applicable. Actually, following through with action on any commitment I’ve made is applicable.
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek words
(word: Strong’s # Greek pronunciation — definition)
oath: G3660 ὀμνύω om-noo’-ō — to swear, that is, take (or declare an) oath
statement: G3056 λόγος log’-os — something said (including the thought)
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION: I encourage you to make your own application
When I say that I will do something, then I must make all reasonable effort to fulfill my words. I will become known by friends, business associates and even family members by how well I follow through with actions. No oath will suffice for action; so do not use an oath. Additionally, I already have difficulty keeping all of my commitments. Therefore, I would do well to think about it first before I say “yes” too hastily.
© 2018 Christopher Carlson