the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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King James Version
Matthew 5:37
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Say only ‘yes' if you mean ‘yes,' and say only ‘no' if you mean ‘no.' If you say more than that, it is from the Evil One.
But your comunicacion shalbe ye ye: nay nay. For whatsoeuer is more then yt cometh of yvell.
Instead, let your word be 'Yes' for 'Yes' and 'No' for 'No.' Anything more than that comes from the evil one."Colossians 4:6; James 5:12;">[xr]
"But make sure your statement is, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil origin.
Say only yes if you mean yes, and no if you mean no. If you say more than yes or no, it is from the Evil One.
But let your speech be, Yes, yes; No, no: and whatever is more than these is of the evil [one].
But let your communication be, Yea, yea, Nay, nay: for whatever [is] more than these cometh of evil.
"But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no' [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes' or ‘No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes; No, no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
But let your conversation be yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these, cometh of the evil one.
But let your language be, `Yes, yes,' or `No, no.' Anything in excess of this comes from the Evil one.
but be youre word, Yhe, yhe; Nay, nay; and that that is more than these, is of yuel.
But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one.
When you make a promise, say only "Yes" or "No." Anything else comes from the devil.
But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
But let your words be simply, Yes or No: and whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.
Just let your ‘Yes' be a simple ‘Yes,' and your ‘No' a simple ‘No'; anything more than this has its origin in evil.
But let your word be Yea, yea; Nay, nay; but what is more than these is from evil.
But let your discourse be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these is from the evil.
But let your language be, Yes, yes; or No, no; for whatever is beyond these proceedeth from evil.
But let your communication bee Yea, yea: Nay, nay: For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.
Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,' or ‘No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one.
Let your yes be YES. Let your no be NO. Anything more than this comes from the devil.
Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes' or ‘No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.
But let your communication be Yea, yea: Nay, nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euill.
But let your words be yes, yes, and no, no; for anything which adds to these is a deception.
But let your word be, Yea, yea, - Nay, nay; and, what goeth beyond these, is, of evil.
But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.
Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
But let your communication be yea, yea, nay nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of euyll.
Just say ‘Yes' or ‘No'—anything else you say comes from the Evil One.
But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.
But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes; No, no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
But let your statement be ‘Yes, yes; no, no,' and anything beyond these is from the evil one.
But let your word be Yes, yes; No, no. For the excess of these is from evil.
but let your word be, Yes, Yes, No, No, and that which is more than these is of the evil.
But your communicacion shalbe, yee, yee: nay, nay. For what soeuer is more then that, commeth of euel.
but let your communication be, yes, yes; no, no: for whatever goes beyond this, is evil.
Let your word be ‘Yes, yes' or ‘No, no.' More than this is from the evil one.
But let your "Yes' be "Yes,' and your "No,' "No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
It's this simple. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no; anything other than this is the same thing the devil would say.
"But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil.
But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes' or ‘No, no'; anything beyond these is of the evil one.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
let: 2 Corinthians 1:17-20, Colossians 4:6, James 5:12
cometh: Matthew 13:19, Matthew 15:19, John 8:44, Ephesians 4:25, Colossians 3:9, James 5:12
Gill's Notes on the Bible
But let your communication be yea, yea,.... That is, let your speech, in your common conversation, and daily business of life, when ye answer to anything in the affirmative, be "yea"; and when ye answer to anything in the negative, "nay": and for the stronger asseveration of the matter, when it is necessary, double these words; but let no oaths be joined unto them: this is enough; a righteous man's yea, is yea, and his no, is no; his word is sufficient. Hence it appears, that our Lord is here speaking of rash swearing, and such as was used in common conversation, and is justly condemned by him. The Jews have no reason to reject this advice of Christ, who often use and recommend the same modes of expression. They endeavour to raise the esteem of their doctors and wise men, by saying, that their words, both in doctrines and dealings with men, are "yea, yea" y. One of their z commentators on the word "saying", in, Exodus 20:1 makes this observation;
"hence we learn, that they used to answer, ×× ××¢× ××× ×××
×¢× ×× "concerning yea, yea, and concerning nay, nay".''
This way of speaking, they looked upon equivalent to an oath; yea, they affirm it was one.
"Says R. Eliezer a, ××× ×©×××¢× ×× ×©×××¢×, "nay is an oath; yea is an oath", absolutely; "nay" is an oath, as it is written, Genesis 9:11 and Isaiah 54:9. But that "yea" is an oath, how does it appear? It is concluded from hence, that "nay" is an oath; saith Rabba, there are that say "nay, nay", twice; and there are that say "yea, yea", twice; as it is written, Genesis 9:11 and from hence, that "nay" is twice, "yea" is also twice said.''
The gloss upon it is,
"he that says either "nay, nay", twice, or "yea, yea", twice; lo! it is ×ש×××¢× ×××ר "as an after oath", which confirms his words.''
For whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil: that is, whatever exceeds this way of speaking and conversation, in the common affairs of life, is either from the devil, who is the evil one, by way of eminency; or from the evil heart of man, from the pride, malice, envy, &c. that are in it.
y T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 20. 1. Maimon. Hilch. Dayot. c. 5. sect. 13. z R. Sol. Jarchi, in Exod. xx. 1. a T. Bab. Shebuot, fol. 36. 1. Vid. Maimon. Hilch. Shebuot, c. 2. sect. 1.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
But let your communication - Your word; what you say.
Be, Yea - Yes. This does not mean that we should always use the word âyea,â for it might as well have been translated âyesâ; but it means that we should simply affirm or declare that a thing is so.
More than these - More than these affirmations.
Cometh of evil - Is evil. Proceeds from some evil disposition or purpose. And from this we may learn:
1. That profane swearing is always the evidence of a depraved heart. To trifle with the name of God, or with any of his works, is itself most decided proof of depravity.
2. That no man is believed any sooner in common conversation because he swears to a thing. When we hear a man swear to a thing, it is pretty good evidence that he knows what he is saying to be false, and we should be on our guard. He that will break the third commandment will not hesitate to break the ninth also. And this explains the fact that profane swearers are seldom believed. The man who is always believed is he whose character is beyond suspicion in all things, who obeys all the laws of God, and whose simple declaration, therefore, is enough. A man that is truly a Christian, and leads a Christian life, does not need oaths and profaneness to make him believed.
3. It is no mark of a gentleman to swear. The most worthless and vile. the refuse of mankind, the drunkard and the prostitute, swear as well as the best dressed and educated gentleman. No particular endowments are requisite to give finish to the art of cursing. The basest and meanest of mankind swear with as much tact and skill as the most refined, and he that wishes to degrade himself to the very lowest level of pollution and shame should learn to be a common swearer. Any person has talents enough to learn to curse God and his fellowmen, and to pray - for every man who swears prays - that God would sink him and others into hell. No profane person knows but that God will hear his prayer, and send him to the regions of woe.
4. Profaneness does no one any good. Nobody is the richer, or wiser, or happier for it. It helps no oneâs morals or manners. It commends no one to any society. The profane man must be, of course, shut out from female society, and no refined conversation can consist with it. It is disgusting to the refined; abominable to the good; insulting to those with whom we associate; degrading to the mind; unprofitable, needless, and injurious in society; and awful in the sight of God.
5. God will not hold the profane swearer guiltless. Wantonly to profane His name, to call His vengeance down, to curse Him on His throne, to invoke damnation, is perhaps of all offences the most awful. And there is not in the universe more cause of amazement at His forbearance, than that God does not rise in vengeance, and smite the profane swearer at once to hell. Verily, in a world like this, where His name is profaned every day, and hour, and moment by thousands, God shows that He is slow to anger, and that His mercy is without bounds!
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 37. Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay — That is, a positive affirmation, or negation, according to your knowledge of the matter concerning which you are called to testify. Do not equivocate; mean what you assert, and adhere to your assertion. Hear what a heathen says on this subject: -
ÎÏθÏÎ¿Ï Î³Î±Ï Î¼Î¿Î¹ ÎºÎµÎ¹Î½Î¿Ï Î¿ÌμÏÏ Î±Î¹Î´Î±Î¿ ÏÏ Î»Î·Ïιν,
ÎÏ Ï'εÏεÏον μεν ÎºÎµÏ Î¸ÎµÎ¹ ενι ÏÏεÏιν, αλλο δε βαζει.
Hom. Il. ix. 312.
"He whose words agree not with his private thoughts is as detestable to me as the gates of hell." See on Joshua 2:0: at the end.
See the subject of swearing particularly considered in the note at the conclusion of Deuteronomy 6:0.
Whatsoever is more than these — That is, more than a bare affirmation or negation, according to the requirements of Eternal Truth, cometh of evil; or, is of the wicked one - εκ ÏÎ¿Ï ÏονηÏÎ¿Ï ÎµÏÏιν, i.e. the devil, the father of superfluities and lies. One of Selden's MSS. and Gregory Nyssen, a commentator of the fourth century, have εκ ÏÎ¿Ï Î´Î¹Î±Î²Î¿Î»Î¿Ï ÎµÏÏιν, is of the devil.
That the Jews were notoriously guilty of common swearing, for which our Lord particularly reprehends them, and warns his disciples against, and that they swore by heaven, by earth, by Jerusalem, by their head, c., the following extracts, made by Dr. Lightfoot from their own writings, amply testify: -
"It was customary and usual among them to swear by the creatures. 'If any swear by heaven, by earth, by the sun, c., although the mind of the swearer be, under these words, to swear by HIM who created them, yet this is not an oath. Or, if any swear by some of the prophets, or by some of the books of the Scripture, although the sense of the swearer be to swear by HIM that sent that prophet, or that gave that book, nevertheless, this is not an oath. MAIMONIDES.'
"If any adjure another by heaven or earth, he is not guilty. TALMUD.
"They swore by HEAVEN, ×ש××× ×× ××× hashsha mayim, ken hu, 'By heaven, so it is.' BAB. BERAC.
"They swore by the TEMPLE. 'When turtles and young pigeons were sometimes sold at Jerusalem for a penny of gold, Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel said, ×××¢× ××× By this habitation (that is, by this TEMPLE) I will not rest this night, unless they be sold for a penny of silver.' CHERITUTH, cap. i.
"R. Zechariah ben Ketsab said, ×××¢× ××× 'By this TEMPLE, the hand of the woman departed not out of my hand.' -
R. Jochanan said, ××××× 'By the TEMPLE, it is in our hand, &c.' KETUBOTH and BAB. KIDUSHIN.
"Bava ben Buta swore by the TEMPLE in the end of the tract Cherithuth, and Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel in the beginning, ××× ×× ×× ××שר×× And so was the custom in Israel. - Note this, so was the custom. JUCAS. fol. 56.
"They swore by the city Jerusalem. R. Judah saith, 'He that saith, By JERUSALEM, saith nothing, unless with an intent purpose he shall vow towards Jerusalem.' Where also, after two lines coming between those forms of swearing and vowing, are added, ×ר×ש×× ××ר×ש×× ××ר×ש×× ×××× ××××× ××××× 'Jerusalem, For Jerusalem, By Jerusalem. - The Temple, For the temple, By the temple. - The Altar, For the altar, By the altar. - The Lamb, For the Lamb, By the Lamb. - The Chambers of the Temple, For the chambers of the temple, By the chambers of the temple. - The Word, For the Word, By the Word. - The Sacrifices on Fire, For the sacrifices on fire, By the sacrifices on fire. - The Dishes, For the dishes, By the dishes. - By all these things, that I will do this to you.' TOSAPHT. ad. NEDARIM.
"They swore by their own HEADS. 'One is bound to swear to his neighbour, and he saith, ר×× ×× ×ת×× ×¨××©× Vow (or swear) to me by the life of thy head, &c. SANHEDR. cap. 3.
"One of the holiest of their precepts relative to swearing was this: 'Be not much in oaths, although one should swear concerning things that are true for in much swearing it is impossible not to profane.' Tract. DEMAI." - See Lightfoot's Works, vol. ii. p. 149.
They did not pretend to forbid ALL common swearing, but only what they term MUCH. A Jew might swear, but he must not be too abundant in the practice. Against such permission, our Lord opposes his Swear NOT AT ALL! He who uses any oath, except what he is solemnly called by the magistrate to make, so far from being a Christian, he does not deserve the reputation, either of decency or common sense. In some of our old elementary books for children, we have this good maxim: "Never swear: for he that swears will lie and he that lies will steal; and, if so, what bad things will he not do!" READING MADE EASY.
