James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Above all
The phrase "Above all" signifies the utmost importance of the instruction that follows. In the Greek, the term used is "πρὸ πάντων" (pro pantōn), which emphasizes priority and supreme significance. This suggests that what James is about to say is not merely an additional piece of advice but a foundational principle for Christian conduct. Historically, this reflects the Jewish tradition of emphasizing certain commandments as central to ethical living, akin to the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which is a declaration of the oneness of God and a call to love Him with all one's heart.

my brothers
The term "my brothers" (Greek: ἀδελφοί μου, adelphoi mou) is a term of endearment and solidarity. It reflects the familial bond among believers, emphasizing that the instruction is given within the context of a loving community. This familial language is consistent throughout the New Testament, underscoring the unity and mutual care expected among Christians. It is a reminder that the teachings of James are not just rules but are meant to foster a community that reflects the love and unity of Christ.

do not swear
The instruction "do not swear" (Greek: μὴ ὀμνύετε, mē omnyete) refers to the practice of making oaths. In the historical context, swearing oaths was a common practice to guarantee the truthfulness of one's words. However, James, echoing Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:34-37, calls for a higher standard of truthfulness that does not rely on oaths. This reflects a call to integrity, where one's word is consistently trustworthy without the need for additional guarantees.

either by heaven
Swearing "by heaven" was a way to invoke the divine as a witness to one's promise. In Jewish tradition, heaven was often used as a substitute for God's name to avoid using it in vain. However, James warns against this practice, emphasizing that even indirect references to God in oaths are unnecessary for those who live truthfully. This reflects a deep respect for the sacred and a call to let one's simple word be enough.

or by earth
Swearing "by earth" involves invoking the created order as a witness. This practice is critiqued by James as it reflects a misunderstanding of the sacredness of creation. The earth, as God's creation, should not be trivialized in human promises. This instruction aligns with the biblical view of creation as inherently good and worthy of respect, as seen in Genesis 1.

or by any other oath
The phrase "or by any other oath" broadens the prohibition to include all forms of swearing. This comprehensive instruction underscores the call to a life of integrity where one's yes is yes and no is no. It reflects a Christian ethic that values truthfulness and reliability in all aspects of life, without resorting to external affirmations.

Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’
This directive is a call to simplicity and honesty in communication. The repetition of "Yes" and "No" (Greek: Ναὶ ναὶ, Οὒ οὒ) emphasizes clarity and straightforwardness. It reflects the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, advocating for a life where one's word is sufficient and trustworthy. This simplicity is a hallmark of Christian integrity, where believers are known for their honesty and reliability.

so that you will not fall under judgment
The warning "so that you will not fall under judgment" (Greek: ἵνα μὴ ὑπὸ κρίσιν πέσητε, hina mē hypo krisin pesēte) serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of failing to live truthfully. In the biblical context, judgment is often associated with divine accountability. This reflects the seriousness with which God views integrity and truthfulness, reminding believers that their words and actions are subject to His righteous evaluation. It is a call to live in a way that honors God and reflects His truth in every aspect of life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. James
The author of the epistle, traditionally identified as James, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Jerusalem church. He is known for his practical approach to Christian living.

2. Early Christian Communities
The recipients of the letter, likely Jewish Christians scattered outside of Palestine, facing trials and needing guidance on living out their faith.

3. Oaths in Jewish Tradition
In the context of Jewish law and tradition, oaths were a serious matter, often invoking God's name to guarantee truthfulness.
Teaching Points
Integrity in Speech
Christians are called to be people of their word. Our speech should reflect our commitment to truthfulness without the need for additional guarantees.

Avoiding Rash Promises
Be cautious about making promises or commitments that you may not be able to keep. This reflects wisdom and respect for others.

Living Transparently
A life of transparency and honesty builds trust within the community and reflects the character of Christ.

Judgment and Accountability
Recognize that our words have consequences. Being truthful helps us avoid falling under judgment, both human and divine.

Reflecting God's Character
As followers of Christ, our communication should mirror God's faithfulness and reliability.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does James 5:12 challenge the way you currently use your words in daily life?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your "Yes" is truly yes, and your "No" is truly no, in your personal and professional relationships?

3. How does the teaching in James 5:12 relate to Jesus' instructions in Matthew 5:33-37, and what does this reveal about the consistency of biblical teaching on honesty?

4. Reflect on a time when you made a promise you couldn't keep. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future commitments?

5. How can the principles in James 5:12 help you build a reputation of integrity and trustworthiness in your community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus' teaching on oaths in the Sermon on the Mount, where He instructs His followers to avoid swearing oaths altogether, emphasizing honesty and integrity in speech.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
Discusses the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, highlighting the seriousness of making promises.

Leviticus 19:12
Warns against swearing falsely by God's name, which would profane it, underscoring the sacredness of oaths.
A Warning Against OathsC. F. Deems, D. D.James 5:12
Against Rash and Vain SwearingL Barrow, D. D.James 5:12
Against SwearingC. Jerdan James 5:12
Evil of SwearingJames 5:12
Judicial OathsDean Plumptre.James 5:12
Profane SwearingA. Plummer, D. D.James 5:12
Simplicity of SpeechT.F. Lockyear James 5:12
The Practice of the EssenesDean Plumptre.James 5:12
The Prohibition of SwearingA. Plummer, D. D.James 5:12
People
Elias, Elijah, James, Job
Places
Dispersion
Topics
Anything, Brethren, Brothers, Condemnation, Condemned, Either, Fall, Heaven, Hypocrisy, Judged, Judgment, Lest, Nay, Oath, Oaths, Simply, Swear, Yea, Yes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
James 5:12

     1340   consistency
     5430   oaths, human
     8242   ethics, personal
     8807   profanity

Library
June the Twenty-Ninth Effectual Prayers
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." --JAMES v. 13-20. Or, as Weymouth translates it, "The heartfelt supplication of a righteous man exerts a mighty influence." Prayer may be empty words, with no more power than those empty shells which have been foisted upon the Turks in their war with the Balkan States. Firing empty shells! That is what many professed prayers really are; they have nothing in them, and they accomplish nothing. They are just forged upon the lips, and
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

February the Twenty-Third the Process and the End
"Ye have seen the end of the Lord: that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." --JAMES v. 7-11. And so we are bidden to be patient. "We must wait to the end of the Lord." The Lord's ends are attained through very mysterious means. Sometimes the means are in contrast to the ends. He works toward the harvest through winter's frost and snow. The maker of chaste and delicate porcelain reaches his lovely ends through an awful mortar, where the raw material of bone and clay is pounded into
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
"But above all things, my brethren, swear not." St. James v. 12. Among other precepts of good life (directing the practice of virtue and abstinence from sin) St. James doth insert this about swearing, couched in expression denoting his great earnestness, and apt to excite our special attention. Therein he doth not mean universally to interdict the use of oaths, for that in some cases is not only lawful, but very expedient, yea, needful, and required from us as a duty; but that swearing which
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
Ps. 94:16. 1. In all ages, men who neither feared God nor regarded man have combined together, and formed confederacies, to carry on the works of darkness. And herein they have shown themselves wise in their generation; for by this means they more effectually promoted the kingdom of their father the devil, than otherwise they could I have done. On the other hand, men who did fear God, and desire the happiness of their fellow-creatures, have, in every age, found it needful to join together, in order
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
"Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall not want a man to stand before me forever.'" Israel were greatly depraved before the days of this prophet, who was sent to reprove and call them to repentance. The prophet faithfully discharged his trust; but labored to very little effect. The chiefs of the nation were offended at its warnings and predictions--rose up against him--shut him up in prison; yea in a dark dungeon, where he sank in the mire;
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Conversion
Our text has in it, first of all, a principle involved--that of instrumentality.--"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death." Secondly, here is a general fact stated:--"He who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." And thirdly, there is a particular application of this fact made. "Brethren, if any
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

A visit to the Harvest Field
Our subject, to-night, will involve three or four questions: How does the husbandman wait? What does he wait for? What is has encouragement? What are the benefits of his patient waiting? Our experience is similar to his. We are husbandmen, so we have to toil hard, and we have to wait long: then, the hope that cheers, the fruit that buds and blossoms, and verily, too, the profit of that struggle of faith and fear incident to waiting will all crop up as we proceed. I. First, then, HOW DOES THE HUSBANDMAN
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

"Be Ye Therefore Sober, and Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." We now come to consider the coherence and connexion these duties have one to another. First, Prayer is the principal part of the Christian's employment, and sobriety and watchfulness are subordinate to it. "Be sober, and watch unto prayer." (1.) Prayer is such a tender thing that there is necessity of dieting the spirit unto it. That prayer may be in good health, a man must keep a diet and be sober, sobriety conduces so much to its
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Our God of the Impossible
"Behold I am the Lord, . . . is there anything too hard for ME?" (Jer. 32:27.) "Ah, Lord God! there is nothing too wonderful for thee" (Jer. 32:17, margin). THE following illustration of the truth, "What is impossible with man is possible with God," occurred while we were attending the Keswick Convention in England, in 1910. One evening my husband returned from an evening meeting, which I had not attended, and told me of a woman who had come to him in great distress. She had been an earnest
Rosalind Goforth—How I Know God Answers Prayer

Prevailing Prayer.
Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. To-night my remarks will be chiefly confined to the subject of intercession, or prayer. There are two kinds of means requisite to promote a revival; one to influence men, the other to influence God. The truth is employed to influence men, and prayer to move God. When I speak of moving God, I do not mean that God's mind is changed by prayer, or that his
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

If it is Objected, that the Necessity which Urges us to Pray is not Always...
If it is objected, that the necessity which urges us to pray is not always equal, I admit it, and this distinction is profitably taught us by James: " Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms" (James 5:13). Therefore, common sense itself dictates, that as we are too sluggish, we must be stimulated by God to pray earnestly whenever the occasion requires. This David calls a time when God "may be found" (a seasonable time); because, as he declares in several other
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

On the Whole, Since Scripture Places the Principal Part of Worship in the Invocation Of...
On the whole, since Scripture places the principal part of worship in the invocation of God (this being the office of piety which he requires of us in preference to all sacrifices), it is manifest sacrilege to offer prayer to others. Hence it is said in the psalm: "If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god, shall not God search this out?" (Ps. 44:20, 21). Again, since it is only in faith that God desires to be invoked, and he distinctly enjoins us to frame
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

But Some Seem to be Moved by the Fact...
But some seem to be moved by the fact, that the prayers of saints are often said to have been heard. Why? Because they prayed. "They cried unto thee" (says the Psalmist), "and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded" (Ps. 22:5). Let us also pray after their example, that like them we too may be heard. Those men, on the contrary, absurdly argue that none will be heard but those who have been heard already. How much better does James argue, "Elias was a man subject to like passions
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith

Elijah, the Praying Prophet
"I have known men," says Goodwin--it must have been himself--"who came to God for nothing else but just to come to Him, they so loved Him. They scorned to soil Him and themselves with any other errand than just purely to be alone with Him in His presence. Friendship is best kept up, even among men, by frequent visits; and the more free and defecate those frequent visits are, and the less occasioned by business, or necessity, or custom they are, the more friendly and welcome they are."--Rev. Alexander
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men

Prayer Availeth Much
Prayer Availeth Much PRAYER AVAILETH MUCH ". . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." -- James 5:16 by Tony Marshall (T.M.) Anderson Published by The Advocate Publishing House Circleville, Ohio (No copyright or date of publication)
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Prayer for and with Each Other.
"Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."--James v. 16. Let our last article touch once more the key of love wherein the article preceding that of prayer was set. To speak of the Spirit's work in our prayers, omitting the intercession of the saints, betrays a lack of understanding concerning the Spirit of all grace. Prayer for others is quite different from prayer for ourselves. The latter
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

On the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
To this rite of anointing the sick our theologians have made two additions well worthy of themselves. One is, that they call it a sacrament; the other, that they make it extreme, so that it cannot be administered except to those who are in extreme peril of life. Perhaps--as they are keen dialecticians--they have so made it in relation to the first unction of baptism, and the two following ones of confirmation and orders. They have this, it is true, to throw in my teeth, that, on the authority of
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
"November 24, 1572. "John Knox, minister, deceased, who had, as was alleged, the most part of the blame of all the sorrows of Scotland since the slaughter of the late Cardinal." It is thus that the decent burgess who, in 1572, kept The Diurnal of such daily events as he deemed important, cautiously records the death of the great Scottish Reformer. The sorrows, the "cumber" of which Knox was "alleged" to bear the blame, did not end with his death. They persisted in the conspiracies and rebellions
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
Meanwhile the Reformer returned to Geneva (April 1555), where Calvin was now supreme. From Geneva, "the den of mine own ease, the rest of quiet study," Knox was dragged, "maist contrarious to mine own judgement," by a summons from Mrs. Bowes. He did not like leaving his "den" to rejoin his betrothed; the lover was not so fervent as the evangelist was cautious. Knox had at that time probably little correspondence with Scotland. He knew that there was no refuge for him in England under Mary Tudor,
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox in the War of the Congregation: the Regent Attacked: Her Death: Catholicism Abolished, 1559-1560
Though the Regent was now to be deposed and attacked by armed force, Knox tells us that there were dissensions among her enemies. Some held "that the Queen was heavily done to," and that the leaders "sought another end than religion." Consequently, when the Lords with their forces arrived at Edinburgh on October 16, the local brethren showed a want of enthusiasm. The Congregation nevertheless summoned the Regent to depart from Leith, and on October 21 met at the Tolbooth to discuss her formal
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued), 1561-1564
Had Mary been a mere high-tempered and high-spirited girl, easily harmed in health by insults to herself and her creed, she might now have turned for support to Huntly, Cassilis, Montrose, and the other Earls who were Catholic or "unpersuaded." Her great-grandson, Charles II., when as young as she now was, did make the "Start"--the schoolboy attempt to run away from the Presbyterians to the loyalists of the North. But Mary had more self-control. The artful Randolph found himself as hardly put to
Andrew Lang—John Knox and the Reformation

Whether a Man Can Merit the First Grace for Another
Whether a Man can Merit the First Grace for Another We proceed to the sixth article thus: 1. It seems that a man can merit the first grace for another. For the gloss on Matt. 9:2, "and Jesus, seeing their faith," etc., says: "How much is our own faith worth in the sight of God, if he values the faith of one so highly that he heals another both inwardly and outwardly!" Now it is by the first grace that a man is healed inwardly. One man can therefore merit the first grace for another. 2. Again, the
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether one Can Hope for the Eternal Blessedness of Another
Whether One can Hope for the Eternal Blessedness of Another We proceed to the third article thus: 1. It seems that one can hope for the eternal blessedness of another. For the apostle says in Phil. 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [61] it until the day of Jesus Christ." Now the perfection of that day will be eternal blessedness. One can therefore hope for the eternal blessedness of another. 2. Again, that for which we pray to God,
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether it is Lawful to Swear?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not lawful to swear. Nothing forbidden in the Divine Law is lawful. Now swearing is forbidden (Mat. 5:34), "But I say to you not to swear at all"; and (James 5:12), "Above all things, my brethren, swear not." Therefore swearing is unlawful. Objection 2: Further, whatever comes from an evil seems to be unlawful, because according to Mat. 7:18, "neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit." Now swearing comes from an evil, for it is written (Mat. 5:37): "But
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

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