Matthew 5:34
Verse
Context
Oaths and Vows
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’34But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;35or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
Sermons
Robert Murray M'Cheyne
Zac Poonen
Walter Beachy
Danny Bond
St. John ChrysostomSt. John Chrysostom
George WhitefieldSummary
Commentary
- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
But I say unto you, swear not at all,.... Which must not be understood in the strictest sense, as though it was not lawful to take an oath upon any occasion, in an affair of moment, in a solemn serious manner, and in the name of God; which may be safely done: but of rash swearing, about trivial matters, and by the creatures; as appears by what follows, neither by heaven; which is directly contrary to the Jewish canons (m), which say, "they that swear "by heaven", and by earth, are free.'' Upon the words in Sol 2:7, "I adjure you", &c. it is asked (n), "by what does she adjure them? R. Eliezer says, by the heavens, and by the earth; by the hosts, the host above, and the host below.'' So Philo the Jew says (o) that the most high and ancient cause need not to be immediately mentioned in swearing; but the "earth", the sun, the stars, "heaven", and the whole world. So R. Aben Ezra, and R. David Kimchi, explain Amo 4:2. "The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness"; that is, say they, "by heaven": which may be thought to justify them, in this form of swearing; though they did not look upon it as a binding oath, and therefore if broken they were not criminal (p). "He that swears by heaven, and by the earth, and by the sun, and the like; though his intention is nothing less than to him that created them, this is no oath.'' The reason why it is forbidden by Christ to swear by heaven, is, for it is God's throne; referring to Isa 66:1 where he sits, the glory of his majesty shines forth, and is itself glorious and excellent, and not to be mentioned in a vain way; and especially, for the reason Christ elsewhere gives, Mat 23:22 that "he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon"; so that they doubly sinned, first, by openly swearing by that which is God's creature; and then, by tacitly bringing God into their rash and vain oaths. (m) Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 13. (n) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 10. 4. (o) De Special. leg. p 770. (p) Maimon. Hilch. Shebuot, c. 12. sect. 3.
Matthew 5:34
Oaths and Vows
33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’34But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;35or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Convincing of Sin and Righteousness (Reading)
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne2.8K57:47PSA 119:18PSA 147:3MAT 5:34JHN 16:8JHN 17:17EPH 2:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in convincing people of their sin and righteousness. He highlights that the Word of God, when preached and read, is a powerful instrument in the hands of God to bring about supernatural impressions on the hearts of individuals. The preacher urges believers to pray for the intervention of God in their lives and to recognize the seriousness of sin and the urgency to repent. He concludes by encouraging the congregation to love and serve God wholeheartedly, demonstrating their faith through acts of compassion and generosity towards others.
(Basics) 65. Lying
By Zac Poonen2.6K12:48JER 3:13MAT 5:34JHN 8:44ACT 8:11In this sermon, the preacher discusses the widespread sin of lying and its destructive impact on relationships. He refers to John 8:44, where Jesus tells the Jews who believed in Him that they are of their father, the devil. Jesus emphasizes the importance of speaking the truth at all times and not relying on oaths or swearing. The preacher highlights the seriousness of lying and the need for parents to teach their children the value of truthfulness. He also warns against preachers who comfort sinners and believers in their sin, emphasizing that God's punishment and judgment will eventually come.
Anabaptist History - Part 5
By Walter Beachy1.3K1:17:30Anabaptist HistoryMAT 5:34In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a man named John who was a slave. John's master, Mr. Robinson, bought him with the intention of setting him free and educating him. Over the course of two years, John worked for his master and learned various skills. Mr. Robinson had a program where he would buy slaves, set them free, and educate them before sending them off to work for someone else. The speaker emphasizes that what Mr. Robinson did for John to set him free from slavery was significant, but it pales in comparison to what the Lord has done for believers in setting them free from sin and offering them eternal life.
When God Delays No More
By Danny Bond58243:40MAT 5:34REV 1:12REV 10:1REV 10:5In this sermon, the speaker discusses a powerful angel described in Revelation 10. The angel's face is compared to the brightness of the sun, symbolizing its glory and majesty. The speaker emphasizes the significance of this angel's appearance amidst the darkness and evil described in the previous chapter. The angel makes an announcement, swearing by God that His silence and delay will come to an end, ultimately bringing an end to evil. Additionally, the speaker highlights the encouragement and comfort that this revelation brings to believers, assuring them of God's ultimate victory.
Homily 8 on the Statues
By St. John Chrysostom0GEN 1:1GEN 3:8PRO 4:23PRO 28:1ISA 30:21MAT 5:341CO 10:13HEB 4:12JAS 5:121PE 3:10John Chrysostom delivers a sermon exhorting virtue, emphasizing the importance of abstaining from oaths. He reflects on the comforting aspects of Scripture, highlighting how God's creation and providence offer lessons for daily life. Chrysostom delves into the story of God walking in Paradise, explaining the deeper spiritual meaning behind Adam's perception. He contrasts the nature of sin, which breeds fear and suspicion, with the boldness and strength of the righteous, exemplified by figures like Elijah and Paul. The preacher urges the congregation to prioritize the health of their souls, emphasizing the ease of spiritual healing compared to physical ailments, and warns against the dangers of neglecting the soul's well-being.
Homily 9 on the Acts of the Apostles
By St. John Chrysostom0EXO 20:7LEV 19:12PSA 15:4PRO 12:22ISA 48:1MAT 5:34EPH 4:29COL 3:8JAS 5:12John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of refraining from swearing oaths, highlighting the seriousness of invoking God as a witness in trivial matters and the need to show reverence for God's name. He emphasizes the detrimental effects of swearing on one's soul and the need to imitate Christ's forgiveness and mercy towards those who wrong us. Chrysostom urges the congregation to uphold a standard of integrity and honesty by avoiding oaths and trusting in God's providence for all things.
The Heinous Sin of Profane Cursing and Swearing. (Matt. 5:34)
By George Whitefield0PRO 4:24MAT 5:34MAT 12:36EPH 4:29EPH 5:4COL 4:6JAS 5:12George Whitefield preaches about the sin of profane swearing and cursing, highlighting the prevalence of this evil in society and the need for individuals, especially those in authority, to take a stand against it. He clarifies that while swearing before a magistrate on solemn occasions may be necessary, common swearing in everyday conversation is condemned by Jesus Christ. Whitefield emphasizes the seriousness of this sin, pointing out that it hardens infidels against the Christian faith, causes offense to sincere believers, and can only be matched in hell. He urges listeners to repent, guard their speech, and work towards suppressing this malignant crime for the honor of God and the well-being of society.
Homily 19 on the Statues
By St. John Chrysostom0ECC 1:2EZK 17:2ZEC 5:1MAT 5:34JAS 5:12John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of avoiding oaths, drawing examples from the destruction of Jerusalem due to a broken oath by King Zedekiah. He emphasizes the severe consequences of oath-breaking, using vivid imagery of the city's ruin and the king's tragic fate. Chrysostom urges the congregation to reflect on the gravity of swearing, highlighting the simplicity of correcting this sinful habit through earnestness and vigilance. He calls for a collective effort to establish a culture where swearing is completely eradicated, envisioning Antioch as a city known for its commitment to truthfulness and integrity.
- John Gill
John Gill Bible Commentary
But I say unto you, swear not at all,.... Which must not be understood in the strictest sense, as though it was not lawful to take an oath upon any occasion, in an affair of moment, in a solemn serious manner, and in the name of God; which may be safely done: but of rash swearing, about trivial matters, and by the creatures; as appears by what follows, neither by heaven; which is directly contrary to the Jewish canons (m), which say, "they that swear "by heaven", and by earth, are free.'' Upon the words in Sol 2:7, "I adjure you", &c. it is asked (n), "by what does she adjure them? R. Eliezer says, by the heavens, and by the earth; by the hosts, the host above, and the host below.'' So Philo the Jew says (o) that the most high and ancient cause need not to be immediately mentioned in swearing; but the "earth", the sun, the stars, "heaven", and the whole world. So R. Aben Ezra, and R. David Kimchi, explain Amo 4:2. "The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness"; that is, say they, "by heaven": which may be thought to justify them, in this form of swearing; though they did not look upon it as a binding oath, and therefore if broken they were not criminal (p). "He that swears by heaven, and by the earth, and by the sun, and the like; though his intention is nothing less than to him that created them, this is no oath.'' The reason why it is forbidden by Christ to swear by heaven, is, for it is God's throne; referring to Isa 66:1 where he sits, the glory of his majesty shines forth, and is itself glorious and excellent, and not to be mentioned in a vain way; and especially, for the reason Christ elsewhere gives, Mat 23:22 that "he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon"; so that they doubly sinned, first, by openly swearing by that which is God's creature; and then, by tacitly bringing God into their rash and vain oaths. (m) Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 13. (n) Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 10. 4. (o) De Special. leg. p 770. (p) Maimon. Hilch. Shebuot, c. 12. sect. 3.