James 5:12

James 5:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
• New International Version (NIV)Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of James 5:12

10Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 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. 13Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:12 word by word

Πρὸ πάντων δέ, ἀδελφοί μου, μὴ ὀμνύετε, μήτε τὸν οὐρανὸν μήτε τὴν γῆν μήτε ἄλλον τινὰ ὅρκον· ἤτω δὲ ὑμῶν τὸ ναὶ ναὶ καὶ τὸ οὒ οὔ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπὸ κρίσιν πέσητε.¶Read the interlinear

• Aboveδέde · thenG1161
• Aboveπρόpro · beforeG4253
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• brothersἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
• do notμήmē · notG3361
• swearὄμνυμιomnuō · to swearG3660
• notμήτεmēte · neitherG3383
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• otherἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• oathὅρκοςhorkos · oathG3727
• let yourσύsu · youG4771
• Yesναίnai · yesG3483
• beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• Noοὐou · noG3756
• so thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• you will not fallπίπτωpiptō petō · to collapseG4098
• underὑπόhupo · by/under: underG5259
• judgmentκρίσιςkrisis · judgmentG2920

Cross-references for James 5:12

• 1 Peter 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
• 3 John 1:2Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
• Matthew 5:33Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
• Matthew 23:16Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’
• 2 Corinthians 1:17When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” and also “No, no”?
• James 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
• 1 Corinthians 11:34If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you come together it will not result in judgment. And when I come, I will give instructions about the remaining matters.

Commentaries on James 5:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Above all things - swear not - What relation this exhortation can have to the subject in question, I confess I cannot see. It may not have been designed to stand in any connection, but to be a separate piece of advice, as in the several cases which immediately follow. That the Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing is allowed on all hands; and that swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, the temple, the altar, different parts of the body, was not…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12But above all things - That is be especially careful on this point; whatever else is done, let not this be. The manner in which James speaks of the practice referred to here, shows that he regarded it as a sin of a very heinous nature; one that was by all means to be avoided by those whom he addressed. The habit of swearing by various things was a very common one among the Jews, and it was important to guard those who from among them had been converted to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-18Verses 12-18 The sin of swearing is condemned; but how many make light of common profane swearing! Such swearing expressly throws contempt upon God's name and authority. This sin brings neither gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, but is showing enmity to God without occasion and without advantage It shows a man to be an enemy to God, however he pretends to call himself by his name, or sometimes joins in acts of worship. But the Lord will not hold him…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12do not swear: The churches were having serious arguments (4:1–3, 11–12), so James advised them to avoid dishonest oaths by not using any oaths at all (Matt 5:33–37). Swearing an oath in the Lord's name meant asking God to enforce it (Genesis 31:53; 1 Kings 8:31–32). People swore by heaven or earth. They either pretended to be respectful while avoiding speaking God's name or used tricky words to deceive (Matthew 23:16–22). Peter used an oath dishonestly…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. But above all--as swearing is utterly alien to the Christian meek "endurance" just recommended. swear not--through impatience, to which trials may tempt you (Jas 5:10, 11). In contrast to this stands the proper use of the tongue, Jas 5:13. James here refers to Mt 5:34, &c. let your yea be yea--Do not use oaths in your everyday conversation, but let a simple affirmative or denial be deemed enough to establish your word. condemnation--literally…Read the comment

Topics related to James 5:12

• Blasphemy
• Commandments
• Conversation
• Oath

In the dictionaries

• Convert
• Grudge
• Howl
• Nourish
• Pitiful
• Tender
• Wanton
• Oath

Commentaries on James 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings