Is it wrong to take an oath?
Introduction. While the Bible continues to be a best seller, it is terribly misunderstood and abused. The subject of oaths, calling on God as a witness, is a good example of the confusion. The matter of oaths also provides us with an opportunity to illustrate the difference between randomly reading and studying the scriptures (cp. 2 Tim. 2: 15).
Certain oaths are condemned. Many of Jesus' contemporaries had a practice of commonly swearing or taking an oath. They would swear by heaven, by the earth, Jerusalem, and by "their head" (Matt. 5: 34, 35). They also abused oath taking and played games with the solemn occasion (Matt. 23: 16-22). Rather than flippantly swearing Jesus said, "But I say unto you, swear not at all..." (Matt. 5: 34, cp. Jas. 5: 12). Jesus further taught, "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: For whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matt. 5: 37).
Cases of actual oath taking. Those who take the foregoing and conclude that all oath taking is wrong, have an impossible task of attempting to reconcile their view with the approved examples of oath taking. For instance, there are several examples of the apostle Paul being under oath. "For God is my witness," wrote Paul to the Romans (Rom. 1: 9). Jesus is seen taking a judicial oath (Matt. 26: 63 ff.). Those who take the position that all oaths are wrong, have great problems in trying to explain Hebrews 6: 16, 17. Verse sixteen recognizes the place of oaths among men and verse seventeen says, "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show...confirmed it by an oath."
Conclusion. By way of review, we have seen that we are to avoid flippant oaths and let our answer be "Yes" or "no." We must also not abuse the occasion of oath taking. We have seen that there are both general and judicial oaths mentioned in the Bible. The Christian should always be truthful, whether under oath or in conversation.
Certain oaths are condemned. Many of Jesus' contemporaries had a practice of commonly swearing or taking an oath. They would swear by heaven, by the earth, Jerusalem, and by "their head" (Matt. 5: 34, 35). They also abused oath taking and played games with the solemn occasion (Matt. 23: 16-22). Rather than flippantly swearing Jesus said, "But I say unto you, swear not at all..." (Matt. 5: 34, cp. Jas. 5: 12). Jesus further taught, "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: For whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matt. 5: 37).
Cases of actual oath taking. Those who take the foregoing and conclude that all oath taking is wrong, have an impossible task of attempting to reconcile their view with the approved examples of oath taking. For instance, there are several examples of the apostle Paul being under oath. "For God is my witness," wrote Paul to the Romans (Rom. 1: 9). Jesus is seen taking a judicial oath (Matt. 26: 63 ff.). Those who take the position that all oaths are wrong, have great problems in trying to explain Hebrews 6: 16, 17. Verse sixteen recognizes the place of oaths among men and verse seventeen says, "Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show...confirmed it by an oath."
Conclusion. By way of review, we have seen that we are to avoid flippant oaths and let our answer be "Yes" or "no." We must also not abuse the occasion of oath taking. We have seen that there are both general and judicial oaths mentioned in the Bible. The Christian should always be truthful, whether under oath or in conversation.