5:37 But let your communication be, {t} Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of {u} evil.
(t) Whatever you affirm, affirm it alone, and whatever you deny, deny it alone without any more words.
(u) From an evil conscience, or from the devil.
5:37 Let your communication be, Yea, yea. All foolish appeals are forbidden. A simple statement is all Christ permits.
Whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. Indeed, it makes one doubt the truth of him who was to confirm every assertion by oath.
5:37 Let your conversation be yea, yea; nay, nay - That is, in your common discourse, barely affirm or deny.
5:33-37 There is no reason to consider that solemn oaths in a court of justice, or on other proper occasions, are wrong, provided they are taken with due reverence. But all oaths taken without necessity, or in common conversation, must be sinful, as well as all those expressions which are appeals to God, though persons think thereby to evade the guilt of swearing. The worse men are, the less they are bound by oaths; the better they are, the less there is need for them. Our Lord does not enjoin the precise terms wherein we are to affirm or deny, but such a constant regard to truth as would render oaths unnecessary.
