Tradition Versus Truth
Making Oaths

In Matthew 5:21-48, there are five sections that begin, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time” (5:21, 27, 33, 38, 43). In each case, after stating what had been heard, Jesus counters, “But I say unto you” (5:22, 28, 34, 39, 44). In so doing, Jesus cuts through centuries of tradition that blinded many of His contemporaries and replaces it with truth.

Tradition: Some Oaths Are Not As Binding As Others

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths” (Mt. 5:33). As in the case with each subject since verse 21, what tradition taught seemed to be correct. After all, the third commandment said, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Ex. 20:7). Moses also wrote, “If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth” (Num. 30:2 cf. Lev. 19:12). However, Jesus’ response shows that what tradition practiced, based on “Thou shalt not forswear thyself” was wrong.

The word “forswear [swear falsely, NKJ; make false vows, NAS]” means to swear falsely, perjure oneself, break one’s oath. Tradition taught that oaths had different levels of obligation, depending on the basis of the oath. Listen to Jesus’ denunciation of these oaths elsewhere: “Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon” (Mt. 23:16-22). This kind of oath keeping is hypocritical!

Truth: People Must Keep Their Word

Jesus’ “But I say unto you” introduces the truth about making oaths, in contrast to Jewish tradition. First, Jesus makes clear that we are not to make false oaths: “Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black” (Mt. 5:34-36). Obviously, “Swear not at all” is limited to the forms of oaths spoken against (Mt. 5:35-36; 23:16-22). All oaths are not wrong. Paul often made oaths affirming his motives for ministry (Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:23; 11:31; Gal. 1:10; 1 Thes. 2:5; 1 Tim. 2:7). Jesus agreed to “adjure [put under oath, NKJ]” that He was “the Christ, the Son of God” (Mt. 26:63-64). Even God the Father, “because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself” (Heb. 6:13)! What Jesus is condemning are oaths whose makers, as it were, cross their fingers behind their backs as if that frees them from keeping their oaths!

Second, Jesus makes clear that we are to keep our word: “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Mt. 5:37). The New King James translates the first part of this verse, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” The point is that a person’s word should be so sure that he or she need not make any oaths to back it up. James put it like this: “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation” (Jas. 5:12).

Exceptions

There are some circumstances, however, where a Christian’s word may not be kept. For example, plans can be made and spoken, but when circumstances change, plans may also have to change. Paul at one time gave the Corinthians his travel plans (1 Cor. 16:5-9), but when something happened that threatened the cause of Christ, Paul changed his plans (2 Cor. 1:12-2:4). Another example where God does not expect us to follow through with our word is when we agree to do something that is unscriptural. In the Old Testament there were laws and sacrifices for when Israelites made rash vows (Lev. 5:4; Num. 30:3-16). Certainly the possibility exists for us to vow something against God’s will. When we do, we certainly must not follow through!

Conclusion

Christians, of all people, should be known for keeping their word. Making false oaths is a form of lying, and lying must not be a part of the Christian’s life (cf. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:8-9). Let’s make sure our words and commitments are in accordance with God’s word and that what we say is what we do!