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 and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They were patient when they suffered unjustly. 11We consider those who endure to be blessed. You have heard about Job’s endurance. You saw that the Lord ended Job’s suffering because the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Above all things, my brothers and sisters, do not take an oath on anything in heaven or on earth. Do not take any oath. If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. Do this so that you won’t be condemned. 13If any of you are having trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing psalms. 14If you are sick, call for the church leaders. Have them pray for you and anoint you with olive 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

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, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins.
• 3 John 1:2Dear friend, I know that you are spiritually well. I pray that you’re doing well in every other way and that you’re healthy.
• Matthew 5:33“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, ‘Never break your oath, but give to the Lord what you swore in an oath to give him.’
• Matthew 23:16“How horrible it will be for you, you blind guides! You say, ‘To swear an oath by the temple doesn’t mean a thing. But to swear an oath by the gold in the temple means a person must keep his oath.’
• 2 Corinthians 1:17You don’t think that I made these plans lightly, do you? Do you think that when I make plans, I make them in a sinful way? Why would I say that something is true when it isn’t?
• James 3:1Brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more severely.
• 1 Corinthians 11:34Whoever is hungry should eat at home so that you don’t have a gathering that brings judgment on you. I will give directions concerning the other matters 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

• 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