English Standard Version
James 5:12
12But 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
Context of James 5:12
10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 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. 13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Read all of James 5James 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
Words taken from the KJV.
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- aboveπρόpro · beforeG4253
- all thingsπᾶςpas · allG3956
- myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- brethrenἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
- swearὄμνυμιomnuō · to swearG3660
- notμήmē · notG3361
- neitherμήτεmēte · neitherG3383
- by heavenὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- by heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
- by the earthγῆgē · earth: planetG1093
- by anyτιςtis · oneG5100
- otherἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
- oathὅρκοςhorkos · oathG3727
- letεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- yourσύsu · youG4771
- yeaναίnai · yesG3483
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- nayοὐou · noG3756
- lestἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- ye fallπίπτωpiptō petō · to collapseG4098
- intoὑπόhupo · by/under: underG5259
- condemnationκρίσιςkrisis · judgmentG2920
Cross-references for James 5:12
- 1 Peter 4:8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
- 3 John 1:2Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
- Matthew 5:33"Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.'
- Matthew 23:16"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.'
- 2 Corinthians 1:17Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time?
- James 3:1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
- 1 Corinthians 11:34if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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