Matthew 5:33-37 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Profanity.

In the words before us our Lord brings out the very spirit of the third commandment. We have to distinguish—

I. THE SWEARING THAT IS NOT FORBIDDEN . This is of two kinds, viz. religious and civil—spiritual and judicial.

1 . Spiritual swearing.

2 . Judicial swearing.

II. THE SWEARING FORBIDDEN IS THE PROFANE .

1 . False swearing is emphatically such.

2 . -Promissory vows are especially to be avoided.

3 . Habitual swearing is profane.

III. EQUIVOCAL SWEARING IS PROFANE .

1 . The elders disputed this.

2 . Our Lord insists upon it.

IV. TRUTH IS PERFECT IN SIMPLICITY .

1 . Christ therefore requires it in speech.

2 . lie attributes to evil what is added to simplicity.