Upholding God's holy name

101 But may we swear an oath by the name of God in a godly manner?

101 Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to God's glory and for our neighbour's good. Such oath-taking is based on God's Word 1 and was therefore rightly used by saints in the Old and the New Testament. 2

102 May we also swear by saints or other creatures?

102 No.

102 A lawful oath is a calling upon God, who alone knows the heart, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely. 1 No creature is worthy of such honour. 2

Footnotes

Question 101 · Footnote 1

Deuteronomy 6:13

It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear.

Deuteronomy 10:20

You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.

Jeremiah 4:1-2

"If you return, O Israel, declares the LORD, to me you should return. If you remove your detestable things from my presence, and do not waver, and if you swear, 'As the LORD lives,' in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory."

Hebrews 6:16

For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

Question 101 · Footnote 2

Genesis 21:24

And Abraham said, "I will swear."

Genesis 31:53

The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us." So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac,

Joshua 9:15

And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

1 Samuel 24:22

And David swore this to Saul. Then Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Kings 1:29-30

And the king swore, saying, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, as I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,' even so will I do this day."

Romans 1:9

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you

2 Corinthians 1:23

But I call God to witness against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.

Question 102 · Footnote 1

Romans 9:1

I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--

2 Corinthians 1:23

But I call God to witness against me--it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.

Question 102 · Footnote 2

Matthew 5:34-37

But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.

Matthew 23:16-22

"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.' You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.' You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

James 5:12

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.

Commandments

Question 101 · Footnote 1

Question 101 · Footnote 2

Question 102 · Footnote 1

Question 102 · Footnote 2

Commandments