Digging Deeper James 5:12 with Commentary

Since Diane is off seeing the world of Branson, Missouri she has asked me to fill in for the next two weeks. What a delight to read this verse and then get to share a brief commentary with you today about oaths.

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your "No," "No," lest you fall into judgment. ~New King James Version

And since you know that he cares, let your language show it. Don't add words like "I swear to God" to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God; Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you. ~The Message

I like the line in the Message paraphrase, "Just say what is true."

This verse brings to mind many conversations I've had over the years about how we can so carelessly use our words.

A former pastor and friend was always intentional about his words, (almost painstakingly so) so as to only say what he meant and therefore, mean what he said.
I grew to appreciate this over the years and grew to deeply appreciate the man whose "yes was yes and no was no". In fact, his word was his word.

Commentary:
"There is agreement among commentators that the basic point of the instruction in 5:12 is to ensure the integrity of one's speech without having to rely on oaths. "Let your 'yes' be true and your 'no' be true"...The introductory words above all indicate that James has in mind a meaning larger than honesty in everyday speech.
...Throughout the letter and especially in the preceding passage, James has been concerned to encourage his readers' patience and perseverance in the midst of trials. It is clear that he anticipates in their suffering the temptation to compromise their moral standards and so become polluted by the world. He has just been telling them about the need for patience in the face of suffering. In the immediately subsequent context, we will find James prescribing prayer as the proper recourse for Christians in trouble. This context does in fact provide a readily understandable and very possible reason for these Christians to be swearing with oaths. They would be tempted to strike bargains with God, swearing to do one thing or another if only God would deliver them from their persecutors. Religious people have tried this kind of bargaining all through the centuries. James has been saying, "Be patient in your suffering. Remember the Lord is coming. Remember the example of the prophets. Remember the perseverance of Job. Remember the Lord's full compassion and mercy." Now he says, "Above all, don't fall into swearing, as if you could manipulate God by your oaths. Instead, speak honestly and directly, and rely on God in prayer."1

Hmmm, I think I'll be chewing on this quite a bit this week and one thing I can be sure of: God is going to bring before me - all of us - many opportunites for this word and these very few comments to surface in our minds and hearts all throughout this week. I'd love to hear how He did just that.

Until Friday, dig deep, deeper and deeper still! Dig until....

Stephanie Paul

Stephanie Paul, wife and mother of two grown children. An "instrument of change" in the Redeemer's Hand, in the lives of wounded and hurting women. Currently serving as a part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America's Keswick as Woman of Character Program Administrator.



1 IVP New Testament Commentaries
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Jas/Do-Not-Swear