Question 101: But isn't it permissible to swear by God's name if we do so reverently?

 

Question 101: But isn't it permissible to swear by God's name if we do so reverently?

Answer: Yes. It is permissible when circumstances require an oath, or when the government requires it, for the purpose of preserving truth and promoting trust for the glory of God and the benefit of our neighbors. Such oaths are authorized by God's Word and were appropriately used by believers in both the Old and New Testaments.

The answer to question 101 confuses the terms "oath" and "vow." The Greek word translated "oath" (horkus) means "to swear" or "to swear." It refers to a voluntary promise to do something.

However, an oath is a different concept from an oath, as it refers to a pledge made when the government demands it, when one intends to refrain from false testimony, and when one wishes to tell the truth. Since it is not something one takes voluntarily, but rather is enforced by public authority, such as the government or a government agency, the term "oath" is inappropriate.

Matthew 5:33-37 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people of old, ‘Do not swear at all, but fulfill the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I tell you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King; nor by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Instead, let your word be ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no,’ for anything more than these comes from the evil one.”

"Do not swear at all, not by heaven, for it is God's throne." Thus, the origin of human oaths was an oath to God, so we are told not to swear by heaven. Similarly, the Bible says that God's footstool is greater than the earth, the King (God) is greater than Jerusalem, and the God who makes it grow is greater than the head. In short, since all oaths are made to God, we should do our best to keep them. However, it is also said not to swear at all. This is because an oath is like a covenant, and it tells us that humans are beings who cannot keep the oaths they have made.

An oath is an act of voluntary commitment to keep any kind of promise, whether it's a voluntary pledge to God or a guarantee to keep a contract between people. Whether it's a commandment, a vow, a promise, or a contract, if it's given with sincerity and sincerity, it's an oath. Jesus meant to faithfully keep any promise, regardless of whether it's verbal or physical. This inherits the fundamental meaning of oaths as taught in the Old Testament. Nevertheless, the persistent use of grandiose objects or objects to swear oaths suggests that there may be a misguided intention to deceive.

Jesus sharply pointed out that the Jewish religious leaders were teaching wrongly about oaths. They believed that while vows made with gold and gifts (offerings to the temple) were strictly enforced, verbal oaths made to the temple and altar were not. Jesus responded that the temple was greater than gold, the altar than gifts, and God than the temple and altar. All oaths, whether made with money or with words, were ultimately made to God. Therefore, no oath should be kept to the best of one's ability; there is no rule that says some oaths are to be kept and others are to be ignored.

Leviticus 5:4-6 "When someone swears unintentionally with his mouth to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that he uttered unintentionally, and it was not known to him, when he comes to know it, he is guilty in one of these things. When he is guilty in any of these things, he shall confess (yada) and bring a guilt offering to the LORD for what he has sinned, a female lamb or a female goat from the flock, for a sin offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for what he has sinned."

"Confess" (Wehitvadah, basic form: וְהִ֨תְוַדָּ֔ה). Yadah means to throw away or to put out. It means to confess all your sins before God and to have a heart that hopes for God's mercy. Proverbs 28:13 says, "He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy."

Matthew 23:16-22, “Woe to you, blind guides, because you say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it means nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And you say, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it means nothing, but whoever swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ You fools and blind! For which is greater: the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Therefore he who swears by the altar swears by it and by all that is on it. And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. And he who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.”

The Old Testament's teachings on oaths are perfectly valid. Yet, Jesus absolutely forbade them, even declaring them to be of evil origin. He wasn't outright banning oaths, but rather firmly rejecting the hypocritical, formalistic Jewish oaths. Specifically, he was demanding an immediate end to the erroneous practice of exploiting the legal requirement that oaths made to God be kept for personal gain.