Bible : James 5:12 Theme : Do Not Swear (12) Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your Yes be yes, and your No, no, or you will be condemned. This final sections concern with common life before the Lord(5:7-20) continues with James introducing that which is to be remembered above all, exactly above all else. Having made the case for perseverance without grumbling against one another, James confronted a fundamental prohibition. The repetition of brothers along with the negative exhortation, reinforces the interconnection of this verse with the larger context. James placed the greatest of emphasis on this prohibition of oaths because of what he had stated earlier about speech. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. (James 3:2) Within the fellowship of believers, ones conduct is largely determined by what one says. The power of the word is greatest. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:3-5) Thus, it is imperative that what is said conform to the goodness and mercy of God. Do not swear! This epistle now drawing to a close, the penman goes off very quickly from one thing to another: hence it is that matters so very different are insisted on in these few verses. 1. We Should Remember Do Not Swear! (v. 12a) (12) Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your Yes be yes, and your No, no, or you will be condemned. The sin of swearing is cautioned against. Some understand this too restrictedly, as if the meaning were, Swear not at your persecutors, at those that reproach you and say all manner of evil of you; be not put into a passion by the injuries they do you, so as in your passion to be provoked to swear. Jamess prohibition stands in contrast with many texts of the Old Testament and New Testament in which the wording of the oath or the attitude in taking an oath determines whether it has been taken properly. James was emphatic that these Christian brothers should renounce oaths altogether. Perhaps, this total prohibition was because such talk is not compatible with the blessedness of true endurance. The patient believer is to be one who answers his accusers with simplicity and with confidence in the God of mercy. Again James was advocating that his addresses follow the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ! Indeed, James virtually reproduced the content of this entire quote. Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord. But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is Gods throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your Yes be Yes, and your No, No; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37) This swearing is no doubt forbidden here: and it will not excuse those that are guilty of this sin to say they swear only when they are provoked to it, and before they are aware. But the apostle’s warning extends to other occasions of swearing as well as this. All customary needless swearing is undoubtedly forbidden, and all along in scripture condemned, as a very grievous sin. Profane swearing was very customary among the Jews, and, since this epistle is directed in general to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, we may conceive this exhortation sent to those who believed not. It is hard to suppose that swearing should be one of the spots of God’s children, since Peter, when he was charged with being a disciple of Jesus Christ and would disprove the charge, cursed and swore, thereby thinking most effectually to convince them that he was no disciple of Jesus Christ, it being well known of such that they durst not allow themselves in swearing. But possibly some of the looser sort of those who were called Christians might, among other sins here charged upon them, be guilty also of this. It is a sin that in later years has most scandalously prevailed, even among those who would be thought above all others entitled to the Christian name and privileges. Why above all things is swearing here forbidden? Firstly, because it strikes most directly at the honor of God and most expressly throws contempt upon His name and authority. “Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:12) Secondly, because this sin has, of all sins, the least temptation to it. It is not gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, that can move men to it, but a wantonness in sinning, and a needless showing an enmity to God. They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. (Psalms 139:20) This is a proof of men’s being enemies to God, however they may pretend to call themselves by His name, or sometimes to compliment him in acts of worship. Thirdly, because it is with most difficulty left off when once men are accustomed to it, therefore it should above all things be watched against. Fourthly, Above all things swear not, for how can you expect the name of God should be a strong tower to you in your distress if you profane it and play with it at other times? But they grew so profane as to swear by the creature, as if it were God; and so advanced it into the place of God; while, on the other hand, those who swear commonly and profanely by the name of God do hereby put him upon the level with every common thing. 2. We Should Say Say Be Yes, No Be No! (v. 12b) (12) Above all, my brothers, do not swear--not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your Yes be yes, and your No, no, or you will be condemned. With Jesus, James was saying, in effect: All you have is your yes and your no and use them; all other claims are false and dangerous! This original Greek expression to nai, nai, kai to ou, ou(τὸ ναί, ναί, καὶ τὸ οὔ, οὔ) is a precise repetition of the words of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ made plain that evil attaches to the false claims entailed in all such oath-taking. James came to the conclusion that this evil was condemnable. It is being suspected of falsehood that leads men to swearing. Let it be known that your keep to truth, and are firm to your word, and by this means you will find there is no need to swear to what you say. As in other passages where he warned of Gods judgment for participation in evil by their actions. Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:4) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:12-13) Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11-12) Dont grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! (James 5:9) James here warned that their words were actions and would be counted against them when they did not conform to the faith required of them. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesnt do it, sins. (James 4:17)
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 02:36:55 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015