Bible Questions and Answers

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34  But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: 35  Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Under the Law of Moses swearing oaths was permitted.

One could have confidence in the fulfilment of an oath.

Exodus 22:11 Then shall an oath of the LORD be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good.

Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Hebrews 6:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

In Christ we are not under the Law of Moses and Jesus commands us not to swear oaths but to always be true to our word so that an oath is not necessary. If we commit ourselves to doing something, we must do it and conversely if we commit ourselves to not do something, we must not do it. Our word must be our bond.

Matthew 5:38 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Justice under the Law of Moses specified just retribution.

Exodus 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Exodus 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In Christ we are not to seek retribution for evil done to us.

We are to love friend and enemy alike and do good to all men.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Instead of resisting we are to go the extra mile.

We are not to sue anyone at law.

We are not to avenge ourselves, but leave all retribution in the hands of God

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

We are to use our resources to help others as we find opportunity.

This doesn’t mean that we give everything away, because then we become a burden upon others. It means that we should not hoard wealth for wealth’s sake but be willing to share with others.

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn