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In this episode, David will not be using his own words but borrowing them from the early Christians to show us how they view Romans 1:1-9.

In this Romans Series from David Bercot, he will be answering the questions: What the early Christians believed about the book of Romans.


The Difference Between an Oath and a Vow


A vow and an oath are two different things. An oath is a solemn declaration a person makes, swearing that he is telling the truth. In an oath, a person swears by invoking the name of God or something sacred. Jesus forbade His disciples to swear: “But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Mt. 5:34-37). See also Jas. 5:12.

In contrast, a vow is a solemn promise to do something. Jesus never prohibited our taking vows. In fact, we have two examples in Acts of Christians taking vows: “So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.” (Acts 18:18). “Therefore, do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow” (Acts 21:23).

Accordingly, it is not wrong for a Christian to take a vow, that is, to make a solemn promise before God to do something. However, we should be very careful about taking a vow. The Scriptures tell us, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed. Better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (Ecc. 5:4-5). So it is appropriate for a Christian husband and wife to take wedding vows, but it is imperative that they do not break them.

Romans 1

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who [a]was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve [b]with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,