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James 5:12 - Do not swear by anything?

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GraceLikeRainFallsDown

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I do not come to this part of the board a lot so, I am sorry if this has been discussed recently already. I was in a different thread discussing taking oaths and it got me thinking about this verse.

How do you guys interpret James 5:12?

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

Is it a sin to take an oath on the Bible? (i.e. at court - swear to tell the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth) Or, is this passage referring to unnecessary oaths or improper lanuage.

If you just pluck this verse out context I think it clearly states there is to be no swearing on anything. This would even mean in a court of law. But, their are other oaths in the Bible. More common in the Old Testament. Were they to be eliminated since they were part of the legalistic society? Or should this verse not be interpretted so strictly?

Any opinions would be appreciated
 

christiangal522

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This Scripture is about VERBAL integrity.
I think you need to look at it in context of the surrounding verses.
Chapter 4, is talking to the people about how they are not getting along and he makes recommendations for how they should be treating each other better throughout the chapter. In 5:12 he tells them not to make oaths because it will help them get along better. Look at 13-18: he gives examples how they SHOULD be treating each other. He's more concerned about verbal integrity as a people (for themselves and as a witness).
Hope that makes sense.
 
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DynamicDrummer

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I think what is going on here is James is telling some of these Jewish Christians not to take an oath in the context of what we see in Acts 23:12 where an oath was taken to abstain from doing this or that. By taking an oath to God, it would pretty much be like saying, in an English equivalent, "Cross my heart and hope to die". Hope that help!
 
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