James Expounds on Faith Volume 55

 Patience in Suffering Part 4

James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

In his last discourse to the scattered Jewish brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus on the issue of patience in suffering, the Apostle James places these words in this last verse above all the ones that came previously before it, as it is written here, "But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." (James 5:12) (KJV). The Jews during their many years living by the 'Law of Moses' would often make solemn promises to YAHWEH and they would also often time do so in front of a great number of other Jews whether in the public square or in private homes. The Apostle James declares to them and to we true believers today and of every era and generation to refrain from doing so, for our Heavenly Father sees us and knows of every plot, purpose, and plan designed by the devil 😈 through his two-legged 👿 devils to kill us because of their hatred against us because we belong to Him. Let us remember what the devil 👿 tried to do to the Apostle Paul only days after his redemption, regeneration, and resurrection from spiritual death by our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written, "Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket." (Acts 9:23-25) (NKJV). This would be the reoccurring theme in the sojourn of Saul later to be known as the Apostle Paul for the next four (4) plus decades of his earthly life that the devil 👿 (through the Jews, his own countrymen) would try to kill him. The devil 👿 would not succeed in killing Paul until our Lord Jesus Christ was finish with the work on the earth 🌎 He was doing through Paul. Therefore, we see how the Apostle James wants us to trust our Lord Jesus, for He is in full control of what persecutions are allowed to get to us. He also alone has the final say as to when our earthly life ends and our joy unspeakable and full of glory with Him transitions from time into eternity. In James 5:12, the Apostle uses the English word 'above' to declare the importance of what he writes afterwards and this word is translated by the little Greek word pro (as used here) is a primary preposition; 'fore', that is, in front of, prior (figuratively superior) to. The little English word 'swear' is translated by the Greek word omnuō meaning to swear, that is, take (or declare on) oath. The little English word 'oath' is translated by the Greek word horkos meaning a limit, that is, (sacred) restraint (specifically oath). Our English dictionary defines oath with these words; a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior. The Apostle James is warning ⚠ of being so blunt, boisterous, and bold in making oaths unto our Heavenly Father, for in the Old Testament Moses records these words concerning declaring an oath to the Lord God, it is written, "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth." (Deuteronomy 23:21-23) (NKJV) and also these words, "If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth." (Numbers 30:2) (NKJV). The Apostle James knowing that when we are under direst we are likely to not be thinking clearly or assessing our circumstances properly which will cause us to make a vow or oath to our Heavenly Father that we cannot keep which in turn will be sinning against Him. This is why he goes on reiterating the very Words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as He spoke these words concerning swearing an oath, "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.' But I say to 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 shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matthew 5:33-37) (NKJV). This is what the JFB Commentary says concerning declaring oaths, "Do not use oaths in your everyday conversation, but let a simple affirmative or denial be deemed enough to establish your word."

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say of James 5:12, "What relation this exhortation can have to the subject in question, I confess I cannot see. It may not have been designed to stand in any connection, but to be a separate piece of advice, as in the several cases which immediately follow. That the Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing is allowed on all hands; and that swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, the temple, the altar, different parts of the body, was not considered by them as binding oaths, has been sufficiently proved. Rabbi Akiba taught that 'a man might swear with his lips, and annul it in his heart; and then the oath was not binding.' Do not pretend to say yea with your lips, and annul it in your heart; let the yea or the nay which you express be bona fide such. Do not imagine that any mental reservation can cancel any such expressions of obligation in the sight of God. Lest ye fall under judgment. Lest ye fall into hypocrisy. Now, as it is a fact, that the Jews did teach that there might be mental reservation, that would annul the oath, how solemnly soever it was taken; the object of St. James, if the last reading be genuine, and it is supported by a great number of excellent MSS., some versions, and some of the most eminent of the fathers, was to guard against that hypocritical method of taking an oath, which is subversive of all moral feeling, and must make conscience itself callous." Here also is what John Wesley had to say of James 5:12, "Swear not - However provoked. The Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing, though not so much by God Himself as by some of His creatures. The Apostle here particularly forbids these oaths, as well as all swearing in common conversation. It is very observable, how solemnly the Apostle introduces this command: above all things, swear not - As if he had said, Whatever you forget, do not forget this. This abundantly demonstrates the horrible iniquity of the crime. But he does not forbid the taking a solemn oath before a magistrate. Let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay - Use no higher asseverations in common discourse; and let your word stand firm. Whatever ye say, take care to make it good."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…