Definition and Meaning:
The term "forswear" refers to the act of swearing falsely or committing perjury. In a biblical context, it involves making a vow or oath and then breaking it, which is considered a serious offense against God's commandments. The concept of forswearing is closely related to the integrity and truthfulness expected of believers.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses the issue of forswearing primarily in the context of oaths and vows. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to be truthful and to fulfill their vows to the Lord. Leviticus 19:12 states, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This command underscores the importance of honesty and the sacredness of God's name.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of forswearing in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:33-37 says, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one." Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of straightforward honesty without the need for oaths, highlighting the integrity that should characterize His followers.

Theological Significance:
Forswearing is seen as a violation of the Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). It reflects a lack of trustworthiness and a failure to honor God with one's words. The Bible teaches that God is a God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4), and His followers are called to reflect His character by being truthful in all their dealings.

The prohibition against forswearing also points to the broader biblical principle of integrity. Believers are called to be people of their word, whose simple affirmations and denials are reliable without the need for additional guarantees. This reflects a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, where one's speech is consistent with the truth of the Gospel.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to be mindful of their words and to avoid making promises or commitments they cannot keep. In a world where truth is often compromised, believers are called to stand out by their honesty and reliability. This includes being cautious about making vows or oaths and ensuring that their "Yes" means "Yes" and their "No" means "No."

In summary, forswearing is a serious matter in the biblical narrative, reflecting a breach of trust and integrity. The Bible calls believers to a higher standard of truthfulness, rooted in the character of God Himself.1. (v. i.) To reject or renounce upon oath; to renounce earnestly; as to forswear drinking or smoking.

2. (v. i.) To deny upon oath.

3. (v. i.) To swear falsely; to commit perjury.

FORSWEAR

for-swar'.

See CRIMES.

1964. epiorkeo -- to swear falsely
... perjure, swear falsely. From epiorkos; to commit perjury -- forswear self. see GREEK
epiorkos. (epiorkeseis) -- 1 Occurrence. 1963, 1964. epiorkeo. 1965 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1964.htm - 6k

He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this ...
... Since our Lord and Saviour says in the Gospels "It was said to them of old time,
Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt pay to the Lord thy vows, but I say ...
/.../3 he has endeavoured indeed.htm

Chapter xvii.
... Book I. Chapter XVII. 51. "Again," says He, "ye have heard that it hath been said
to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... 9. But how far were they from seeing God, who, having heard "that it had been said
by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

One Antidote for Many Ills
... I do forswear all pretense to ability in this work. I forswear the least
idea that I have aught about me that can save souls, or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/one antidote for many ills.htm

The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden.
... [2393] Thou shalt not covet the things of thy neighbour, [2394] 3. thou shalt not
forswear thyself, [2395] thou shalt not bear false witness, [2396] thou shalt ...
/.../the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter ii name second commandment .htm

The Christian Aim and Motive.
... Quoting the words of Moses, he affirmed, "So was it spoken by them of old time,
but I say unto you"" For example, "Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xii the christian aim and.htm

The Gods of the Mythic Class the Poets a Very Poor Authority in ...
... piety, and every excellence of this sort, that you honour with the blessedness of
deification, contented even to incur contempt if you forswear yourselves [883 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter vii the gods of the.htm

Introduction
... Not until the year AD250 did it take the initiative and attempt a concerted action
to force Christians to forswear Christ by a religious oath of allegiance to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/introduction 4.htm

India's Ills and England's Sorrows
... when a man weeps for sin, it shows that he hath strength of mind; nay more, that
he hath strength imparted by God, which enables him to forswear his lusts and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/indias ills and englands sorrows.htm

But Some Treat the Holy Trinity in an Awful Manner...
... We forswear this, because we believe that three persons"namely, Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit"are declared to possess the one Godhead: for the one divinity ...
/.../section vii but some treat.htm

Forswear (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To reject or renounce upon oath; to renounce
earnestly; as to forswear drinking or smoking. ...FORSWEAR. for-swar'. See CRIMES. ...
/f/forswear.htm - 7k

Crimes (22 Occurrences)
... 17:2, 4). The intensive ekporneuo = "to be utterly unchaste" is found in Jude
1:7. Every form of unchastity is included in the term "fornication." Forswear. ...
/c/crimes.htm - 44k

Crime (45 Occurrences)
... 17:2, 4). The intensive ekporneuo = "to be utterly unchaste" is found in Jude
1:7. Every form of unchastity is included in the term "fornication." Forswear. ...
/c/crime.htm - 51k

Oaths (49 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:33 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 ...
/o/oaths.htm - 21k

Forsooth (2 Occurrences)

/f/forsooth.htm - 7k

Thyself (352 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:33 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 ...
/t/thyself.htm - 36k

Renounce (12 Occurrences)
... land or to a throne. 2. (vt) To cast off or reject deliberately; to disown;
to dismiss; to forswear. 3. (vt) To disclaim having ...
/r/renounce.htm - 10k

Render (95 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it has been said to the ancients, Thou shalt
not forswear thyself, but shalt render to the Lord what thou hast sworn. ...
/r/render.htm - 36k

Sworn (118 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it has been said to the ancients, Thou shalt
not forswear thyself, but shalt render to the Lord what thou hast sworn. ...
/s/sworn.htm - 39k

Swear (99 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:33 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 ...
/s/swear.htm - 39k

Forswear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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