Word For the Day MATTHEW 5:33-37 (KJV)

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.

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

COMMENTARY: The basis of Old Testament swearing, or oath-taking, is found in Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; and Deuteronomy 23:21. To forswear means to swear falsely or perjure oneself. Oaths taken in the name of the Lord were looked upon as binding, and perjury of such oaths was strongly condemned by the law. By the time of Christ, the Jews had developed an elaborate system of oath-taking, which often formed the basis of actual lying. In other words, there were stages of truth and thus also of falsehood within the system of taking oaths. All such oath-taking, Jesus announced, was unnecessary if one were in the habit of telling the truth. thus, His command was Swear not at all. This does not have reference to cursing, as such, but to oath-taking. The disciple is to speak the truth in such a way that his "yes" and his "no" means no. Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: When you say "yes," make sure that is what you mean. When you say "no," make sure that also is what mean. Mean what you say; say what you mean. Anything that is more than a simple affirmation of the truth cometh of evil.