Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Verse 12. _ABOVE ALL THINGS - SWEAR NOT_] What relation thisexhortation can have to the subject in question, I confess I cannotsee. It may not have been designed to stand in any connection, but to...
Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary
BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS - That is be especially careful on this point;whatever else is done, let not this be. The manner in which Jamesspeaks of the practice referred to here, shows that he regarded it...
Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein
V. THE COMING OF THE LORD AND THE LIFE OF FAITHCHAPTER 5_ 1. The oppression by the rich and their coming doom (James 5:1)_2. Be patient unto the coming of the Lord (James 5:7)3. The prayers of...
Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible
JAMES 5:12. A disconnected maxim, warning Jews against a veryprevalent sin, and again directly quoting the unnamed Master (Matthew5:34 ff; cf. Matthew 23:16). The Quaker-like self-control which make...
Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)
THE WORTHLESSNESS OF RICHES (James 5:1-3)...
Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
ABOVE. before. App-104.NEITHER. Greek. _mete_.HEAVEN. the heaven. See Matthew 6:9; Matthew 6:10.ANY. App-123.OTHER. App-124.NAY. App-105.INTO. The texts read "under". App-104.CONDEMNATIO...
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Oaths12. _above all things, my brethren, swear not_ The passage presents soclose a parallel with Matthew 5:33-37 that it is almost a necessaryinference that St James, if not himself a hearer of the...
Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary
ΠΡῸ ΠΆΝΤΩΝ marks the importance of what follows.ΜῊ ὈΜΝΎΕΤΕ κ.τ.λ. This emphatic rule is founded on theLord’s words, recorded by St Matthew only, Matthew 5:33 ff. μὴὀμόσαι ὅλως κ.τ.λ. Comp. Matthew...
Charles Box Commentaries
_REFRAIN FROM IMPROPER SPEECH -- JAMES 5:12:_ James condemns vain andrash swearing._ _ The expression "Above all things" shows theimportance of the right kind of speech. "Above all things" carries t...
Charles Rose Commentaries
ΟΜΝΎΕΤΕ _praes. imper. act. от_ ΌΜΝΎΩ (G3660)клясться,ΌΡΚΟΣ клятва (_см._ Matthew 5:33). _Praes. imper._ сотр.ΜΉ (G3361) запрещает привычное действие,ΉΤ _praes. imper. act. от_ ΕΊΜΊ (G1510) бы...
College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
VICTORY WILL COME, FOR GOD IS REAL_Text 5:10-12_James 5:10 Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and patience,the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord.11.Behold, we call them bles...
College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
CHAPTER X_RESIST FIERCELY, BRETHREN!_James 5:7-12_Introduction_After the very vivid account of the vengeance that belongs to God, andthe just judgment that will come to their persecutor, James...
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea beyea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.BUT AB...
Commentary on the Minor Epistles by Caton
VERSE 12 BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN, SWEAR NOT.When we remember that these brethren were undergoing persecution, andfurther that they were called upon to swear, and that some, to avoidpunish...
Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch
12 This prohibition is essentially the same as that given by our Lord(Mat_5:34).15 "The prayer of faith will save the sick" is a very loose renderingof this passage. The word which they translate ...
Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible
See Matthew 5:33. It was a common Jewish sin to confirm statements byan oath or curse (Matthew 23:16; Mark 14:71). The question of judicialoaths is not touched either here or in the Gospels. ABOVE A...
Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible
REBUKE AND ENCOURAGEMENT2. Are corrupted, etc.] prophetic tense, in which the future is spokenof as though it were already come to pass....
EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries
WHAT *FAITH SHOULD DOJAMES_IAN MACKERVOY_The word list at the end explains words with a *star by them.CHAPTER 5JUDGEMENT OF THE RICH 5:1-6V1 Now, you rich people, weep and cry aloud. Th...
Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible
The question of the lawfulness of oaths has oftentimes perplexed alikethe doctors of the Church and its simpler hearers of God’s word. Thetext, taken as it stands, would support the views of the Ess...
Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)
CHAPTER 25THE PROHIBITION OF SWEARING-THE RELATION OF THE LANGUAGE OF ST. JAMESTO RECORDED SAYINGS OF CHRIST.James 5:12THE main portion of the Epistle is already concluded. St. James hasworked...
Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)
f1Πρὸ πάντων …: The most natural way of understandingthese words would be to take them in connection with something thatimmediately preceded, but as there is not the remotest connectionbetween this...
Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary
EFFECTUAL PRAYERJames 5:12In view of the judgment-seat, at which we shall have to give anaccount of our words, we shall do well to employ the simplest,plainest speech, Matthew 5:34; Matthew 12:3...
G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible
Approaching the conclusion of his letter, the writer addressed aterrible indictment and solemn warning to the rich. He showed thefailure of possessions, and how they may become the curse of life.S...
Gary Hampton Commentaries
THOSE WHO ENDURE ARE BLESSEDThe prophets suffered for God. The Greek word for "suffering" whichJames uses in reference to the prophets is one which designatesexternal pressure (Matthew 23:34; Luke...
Geneva Study Bible Commentary
(7) But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let (f) your yeabe yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation....
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
but above all things....swear not, &c. This earnest admonition isagainst all kind of oaths in common conversation, (not against oathsmade on just and necessary occasions) and in the very same words,...
Hawker's Poor man's commentary
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea beyea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. (13) Is an...
Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly
To the reader who enters on the consideration of the epistle of Jamesfrom the epistles of Paul, the change is great and sudden, and by nomeans least of all from the epistle to the Hebrews, which, in...
John Calvin's Bible Commentary
12_But above all things_. It has been a common vice almost in allages, to swear lightly and inconsiderately. For so bad is our naturethat we do not consider what an atrocious crime it is to profane...
John Darby's Synopsis
The two classes in Israel are distinctly marked here in contrast withone another, with the addition of the walk which the Christian oughtto pursue when chastised by the Lord.The apostle gives the c...
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN, SWEAR NOT,.... As impatience shouldnot show itself in secret sighs, groans, murmurings, and repinings, somore especially it should not break forth in rash oaths, o...
John Trapp Complete Commentary
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea beyea; and _your_ nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.Ver. 12...
Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
_But above all things, swear not_ However provoked. The Jews werenotoriously guilty of common swearing, though not so much by Godhimself as by some of his creatures. The apostle here forbids theseo...
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)
SWEAR NOT; in ordinary conversation.LET YOUR YEA, BE YEA; AND YOUR NAY, NAY; let your yea and nay besteadfast and reliable, so that they shall need no oath to supportthem. Profaneness is a great s...
Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible
The improper and the proper use of God's name:...
Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible
BUT ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN, SWEAR NOT, NEITHER BY HEAVEN,NEITHER BY THE EARTH, NEITHER BY ANY OTHER OATH; BUT LET YOUR YEA BEYEA, AND YOUR NAY, NAY, LEST YE FALL INTO CONDEMNATION....
Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible
Verses 1 Timothy 6 are addressed to rich men, and no doubt speciallyto those who make some claim of having the knowledge of God. They arebidden to weep and howl for the miseries that will take them,...
Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament
What is meant by “swear” in this passage? Why is swearingcondemned? Is it wrong to swear in court, in official documents? Whatdoes James mean about our Yes be Yes? Should Christians take oaths -lik...
Mark Dunagan Commentaries
OATHSJames 5:12 "But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heavenor by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes, and yourno, no; so that you may not fall under judgment"."But...
Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
12-18 The sin of swearing is condemned; but how many make light ofcommon profane swearing! Such swearing expressly throws contempt uponGod's name and authority. This sin brings neither gain, nor pl...
Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible
Because it is a great sin to swear upon every slight occasion, and itwas very usual among the Jews, and it was the more difficult to bringthem off from it who were so much accustomed to it; therefor...
Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes
James 5:12 But G1161 above G4253 all G3956 my G3450 brethren G80 notG3361 swear G3660 (G5720) either...
Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
FINAL EXHORTATION TO PRAYER AND FAITH (JAMES 5:12).Having faced up men and women to judgment in different ways James nowends as he began by putting great emphasis on the need for faith andprayer, a...
Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
THE CALL FOR COMPLETE HONESTY (JAMES 5:12).This command follows a series of commands and precedes the command topray and praise. Those commands were as follows:· Be patiently enduring (James 5:7)...
Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)
James 5:12. Next follows a caution against swearing. There does notseem to be any connection between this caution and what precedes. St.James was perhaps led to it by the circ*mstances of his reader...
Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)
James 5:7-20. St. James concludes his Epistle with a variety ofadmonitions. He first exhorts his readers to patience; they are toexercise forbearance toward their oppressors and trust toward God,be...
Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament
ABOVE ALL THINGS(προ παντων). No connection with what immediately precedes.Probably an allusion to the words of Jesus (Matthew 5:34-37). It isnot out of place here. See the same phrase in 1 Peter...
Summarized Bible Commentary
CONTENTS: Warning to the rich. Exhortations in view of Christ's secondcoming.CHARACTERS: Christ, Job, Elias, James.CONCLUSION: Great amassing of wealth will be a sign of the last days,but woe to...
Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
James 5:1. _Go to now,_ or go now, _ye rich men._ He had taught themhumility, because their glory vanished away as the flower of thefield: chap. James 1:10. He now calls upon them _to weep and howl_...
The Bible Study New Testament
DO NOT USE AN OATH. Jesus said this same thing in Matthew 5:33-37 andnotes there. Our modern sin of _profanity_ grew out of the habit ofusing an oath (vow) to affirm a promise. Since Jews believed s...
The children's great texts of the Bible by James Hastings
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAYLet your yea be yea, and your nay, nay. James 5:12.There is a quaint proverb which says that “a hero's word and anelephant's tooth remain fixed.” I never t...
The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes
JAMES—NOTE ON JAMES 5:12 It is not entirely clear how DO NOT SWEARis connected to vv. James 5:7. ABOVE ALL may begin a three-partconclusion to the l
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary
_CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_James 5:13. MERRY.—Of good cheer, gladsome at heart. PSALM.—Theword suggests a composition fitted to an accompaniment of music._MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— J...
The Pulpit Commentaries
EXPOSITIONJAMES 5:1DENUNCIATION OF THE RICH FOR(1) GRINDING DOWN THE POOR AND KEEPING BACK THEIR WAGES;...
Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith
Now in chapter five he takes on the rich. So this doesn't apply tomany of us.Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shallcome upon you. Your riches are corrupted, your garment...
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 Corinthians 11:34; 1 Peter 4:8; 2 Corinthians 1:17; 3 John 1:2;...
Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)
Any other oath. See the common formulas of swearing, Matthew 5:35;Matthew 5:36....
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
Swear not — However provoked. The Jews were notoriously guilty ofcommon swearing, though not so much by God himself as by some of hiscreatures. The apostle here particularly forbids these oaths, as...
When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960
Is oath-taking forbidden or blessed?PROBLEM: This and many other verses (cf. Hosea 4:2; Matthew 5:33-37)condemn oath- taking. In James’ words, “Above all, my brethren, donot swear, either by heaven...
William Burkitt's Expository Notes
Observe, that an oath here is not absolutely forbidden, butrestrained: ABOVE ALL THINGS, MY BRETHREN.Note, with what vehemency and earnestness the apostle speaks, SWEARNOT, that is, swear not vainl...
