To read the texts click on the texts: 2 Cor 5:14-21; Mt 5:33-37
The fourth of the six antitheses is completely a Matthean
composition. There is no precedence for the absolute prohibition of oaths in
Judaism. Rather, an oath invoked God to guarantee the truth of what was being
sworn or promised, or to punish the one taking the oath if he was not faithful
to his word.
The Matthean Jesus here rules out oaths completely. He rejects not
only false and unnecessary oaths, but also any attempt to bolster one’s
statement claim to truth beyond the bare statement of it. It is a demand for
truthfulness in everything that one says.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You may use the "Anonymous" option to leave a comment if you do not possess a Google Account. But please leave your name and URL as www.errolsj.com