ACC ~ Matthew 5 v33

FAITH NEEDS NO OATH

HILARY: The law had prescribed a penalty for false swearing, so that the ritual of an oath might hold false testimony in check. … But faith removes the need for using an oath. It establishes in truth the dealings of our life. Once the inclination to deceive has been checked, it enjoins simplicity in speaking and hearing. … Therefore those who are living in the simplicity of faith have no need for the ritual of an oath. With such people, what is, always is, and what is not, is not. For this reason, their every word and deed are always truthful. ON MATTHEW 4.23. [1]

[1] SC 254:142.

PERJURY GENERATED BY OATHS

ANONYMOUS: Here is the fourth commandment, which is considered the least one [1] by those self-assured persons who think that truthful swearing is not a sin and that the commandment of the law cannot stand without it. Now, unless an oath is forbidden, we cannot put a stop to perjury, for perjury is generated by oaths. For there is no one who frequently swears who does not at times commit perjury. Because of this, Solomon warns, “Do not accustom your mouth to an oath; there is much misfortune in it.” [2] For even as the one who is accustomed to speaking often finds it necessary to say inappropriate things … one who makes it a habit to swear on suitable occasions, drawn along by custom, frequently and even unwillingly will swear also in superfluous matters. Now, as with any custom, when we want to do something we do it; and when we do not want to do it, we refrain from doing it. And Solomon teaches us that God’s judgment is against those who swear: “A man who swears much shall not ward off the blight from his house.” [3] If therefore the blight will not depart from those who swear frequently, how will it depart from those who swear occasionally? Tell me, my friend, what do you gain by swearing? For if your opponent believed that you would swear truthfully, he would never compel you to swear. But since he believes that you may commit perjury, he compels you to swear. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 12. [4]

[1] In the Gospel text the prohibition of oath taking is of a general nature, not addressed specifically to the greedy. The clarification here results from Jesus’ previous prohibitions of violence and concupiscence. The author here prefers to associate this new prohibition with a specific sin as well.

[2] Sir 23:9.

[3] Sir 23:11.

[4] PG 56:697.