Topical Bible: Oaths: To be Taken in Fear and Reverence

◄ Oaths: To be Taken in Fear and Reverence ►

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In the biblical context, oaths are solemn promises or declarations, often invoking God as a witness to the truth of one's words or the binding nature of one's commitments. The Scriptures provide guidance on the proper attitude and conditions under which oaths should be taken, emphasizing the importance of fear and reverence.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding the gravity of oaths. In Deuteronomy 6:13 , it is commanded, "Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name." This directive underscores the necessity of reverence when invoking God's name, as it is a recognition of His supreme authority and holiness. The Israelites were instructed to swear by God's name, indicating that their oaths were not merely personal promises but were made before the divine Judge.

Leviticus 19:12 further warns, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD." This passage highlights the severe consequences of taking oaths lightly or deceitfully, as doing so would dishonor God and violate His commandments.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of oaths in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:33-37 records His teaching: "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."

Jesus' words emphasize the importance of integrity and truthfulness in all communication, suggesting that a person of integrity should not need to resort to oaths to be believed. However, this teaching does not negate the use of oaths entirely but rather calls for a deeper understanding of their significance and the sincerity required when making them.

Apostolic Guidance

The apostle James reiterates Jesus' teaching in James 5:12 : "Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No,' so that you will not fall under judgment." This instruction serves as a reminder of the potential for judgment when oaths are taken lightly or used deceitfully.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, oaths are a recognition of God's omniscience and justice. They are not to be taken casually or used as a means of manipulation. Instead, they should be approached with a sense of fear and reverence, acknowledging that God is the ultimate witness to all promises and declarations. The believer is called to uphold truth and integrity, reflecting the character of God in all interactions.

Practical Considerations

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to be people of their word, ensuring that their commitments and statements are trustworthy without the need for additional assurances. When oaths are necessary, such as in legal or formal settings, they should be made with a deep sense of responsibility and awareness of the divine witness to whom they are accountable.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 9:2
All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrifices, and to him that sacrifices not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that swears, as he that fears an oath.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... to say, "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed ... Why; because they that
fear God know God to be infinitely loving to ... In oaths and promises and blood ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... The oaths of his people were wont to come up before ... with Him whom he acknowledged
as his fear, could not ... in that covenant into which Isaac was taken, in vowing ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Whether an Oath is Voided by a Condition of Person or Time?
... do so fasting, with all propriety and fear of God ... an oath by the Gospels might be
taken with deliberation ... are of such little authority that their oaths have no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether an oath is voided.htm

That the Fast of Lent is not Sufficient to Make us Competent to ...
... of torment."Also concerning abstinence from oaths, and those ... be conscious in himself
of much care taken of his ... do not exhibit even so much fear and reverence ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xx that the fast.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... faith on Monday, when the shutters are taken down to ... Let us fear lest we should fall
into sin, and ... not I," would have denied his Master with oaths and cursing. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

This HomilyIs Intended to Shew that the Fear of Magistrates is ...
... with an address on the necessity of abstaining from oaths. ... if they would report all
that had taken place to ... after repentance, after so much fear, after tears ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vi this homily is.htm

Of Preparation.
... Or what do all men naturally either fear or abhor more ... 27:26; Galatians 3:10.) And
having taken a due ... abused thy holy name by rash and customary oaths; yea, I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/i of preparation.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... God, either by their blasphemous cursing and oaths, or by ... If God, I say, hath put
that reverence upon his ... one that hath the ground of this fear taken away by ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Some approve of public, but not of private oaths. ... In what sense it is to be taken. ...
and Master, and should, accordingly, receive from us fear, love, reverence ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

That to Work is not a Matter of Pain and Weariness to God.
... he introduces into his books a myriad oaths and solemn ... a very patent fact, that,
being in fear of the ... and being desirous of preventing his being taken for what ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/the works of dionysius/v that to work is.htm