Matthew 5:37 - Swearing and Cursing, and Rotten Words
Matthew 5:33-37 - "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' [34] but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. [37] But let your speech be, 'Yes, yes; No, no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. -- World English Bible version.Ephesians 4:29 -- Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. -- New Revised Version.
Today, many forms of swearing have become so commonplace and accepted that many do not even realize that the words of exclamation they use may be a form of swearing. Indeed, many have a wrong concept of what swearing is, as they appear to limit it to "taking the Lord's name in vain." Some have the false idea that if a phrase is not thought of as "profanity" by society in general, then it is no longer swearing to use such a phrase. Others have the false idea that by classifying a phrase as being grammatically an exclamation, it is no longer "swearing". Usually, the world classifies "swearing," "cursing," and profanity altogether and defines such by whether it is socially offensive to others or whether it is socially acceptable to others. This is not the Biblical way. Scripturally, if one is adding to his "yes" or "no", so to speak, anything that goes beyond saying what one means, then one is swearing by whatever is being added. "Cursing" would be to use words that are, in fact, words that pronounce a curse -- a condemnation -- upon a person or a thing.
Many Christians, when speaking of the Bible's warning against swearing, would define swearing as taking an oath or making a solemn promise, often by invoking God's name or a sacred object as a witness. However, is that what Jesus said? Is that what James said? We have met some Christians who apparently think that swearing that is prohibited is simply, as they put it, using the Lord's name in vain, usually referring to one of the popular translations of verses like Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11 that change the Holy Name to "the LORD".
In addition to Jesus' words quoted above, James spoke similarly:
James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment. -- American Standard Version.
Jesua and James speak of vain swearing, not simply swearing by a deity, but by anything at all. Thus, "swearing", as spoken of in these scriptures, is the act of invoking anything at all to support, strengthen, or fortify what is being said.
We should also note that James also said:
James 3:2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
James 3:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
No matter how much we try, our sinful flesh cannot be fully brought under control, and thus we will all stumble in word, by vain swearing, gossip, judging others, etc. Nevertheless, as new creatures, we have the spirit of a new mind, which should certainly be seen to bring the flesh under its control, so that others would see that spirit manifest itself in our speech.
Many, however, actually promote swearing and cursing as being something "good", a way to let off steam, etc., and even a way to show affection. The prophet Isaiah, however, warns us: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil." -- Isaiah 5:20.
This list presents common forms of swearing and/or cursing that many Christians may use without consciously realizing that they are swearing or cursing. Please note that words or expressions are not of themselves swear/curse words or expressions, but they are often used in a form by which they may become swearing or cursing.
God
Often, swearing by God is done by using euphemisms, such as Gosh, Golly, By Gosh, Dog (as in "Oh, my Dog"), Gad, Egad, Egads, etc. The use of such euphemisms is considered more socially acceptable by men. Such swearing is often in the form of an exclamation.
Oh my God!
Variants of this form of swearing include: Oh my Gosh! -- Oh my Goodness! -- OMG!
These forms of swearing are often and extensively used as an exclamation, without any thought of actually calling upon God, such as in prayer, thus adding to one's "yes" and "no". My Goodness, Oh My Goodness could also be used to swear by one's own goodness.
God Damn (it)
This is actually a form of cursing. It is telling God to condemn whatever. Some forms of "damn", however, are used as though it was something to swear by. Variants of this form include Gol-darn, Gol-Dang; Dagnabit, Dad-gum, Geoffrey Daniel; Dog-gone-(It), Gosh-Darn.
Jesus (Christ), By Christ
Variants of swearing by Jesus include: Gee, Gee whiz, Jiminy Cricket, Jeepers Creepers, Jeebuz, Geez, Jiminy Christmas, By Crakey, By Crickey, Pete, for Pete's sake, etc. y Jesus.
George, By George
Appears to be associated with a form of swearing by the "patron saint"of England. This form of swearing could also be associated with swearing by King George of England.
Son of a Biscuit, Son of a Bitch, etc.
These words could be used as a form of cursing or as a form of swearing, depending on how they are used.
By Jove
Euphemism for By Jehovah
Heck, Sam Hill, Tarnation, Infernal, Hell, Hades
The first few expressions are some of the euphemisms for the word "hell". The basis appears to be using "hell" in harmony the Hellenistic view of "hell", especially as a place of eternal conscious sufferring. Forms of swearing by hell or hades, which, in turn, is often used as a name for the Greek god, Hades.
Mama Mia
Italian (and also in some of the other Latin-based languages) meaning "my mother." Often used as a means of swearing by one's mother, or in some instances, by Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Darn, Dret, Dang, Durn,
Euphemisms for "damn". A form of cursing, although these words may also be used as swearing. In the form of cursing, it would appear to be telling God to condemn this or that, or taking it upon oneself to condemn (whatever); these could also be used as a form of swearing, swearing by the condemnation itself, depending on how they are used.
Glory Be
This appears to be taken from the Nicene Creed, and it also used in at least one doxology, the rosary, and some hymns. The expression, "Glory Be", is, however, often used casually as an exclamation to give an added impact to one's "yes" and "no", thus could be a form of swearing, possibly having its origins in swearing by the alleged trinity.
Hallelujah
Hallelujah means: "Praise Jah", "Jah" being a short form of "Jehovah". Used as an exclamation to add to one's "yes" or "no" without regard to any any actual thought of praise in one's heart to Jehovah, it becomes a form of swearing.
Bless You
"Bless you", of course, is usually a form of prayer, wishing God to bless another. One may often use expressions such as "God bless you", or "Jah bless", or something similar, which could or not be considered swearing, as it depends on how it is used. However, we should note that even the heathen use this expression "bless you" to invoke the "blessing" from their gods on someone or something, or even to "curse" a person.
Of course, it is proper to bless others, but when used routinely rather than prayerfully from the heart, it becomes meaningless words added to one's "yes" and "no". The phrase is also used ritualistically to invoke a spell to stop some evil from happening (such as the alleged idea of a person's soul leaving the body while sneezing), or to invoke a spell against someone; in such cases, it can become idolatrous.
Some other forms of swearing often used are: "By God", "Holy Cow", "Holy Smoke", "Great Caesar's Ghost","Fudge," "Slam the Door" etc. Many love to swear by slang words or phrases used to refer to the refuse of one's body or of the sexual act. Can you think of others?
Please note that most of the words may be used in a proper sense without swearing or cursing involved. What determines if they are being used as swear words depends on the context in which the words are stated, or how the words are being used.
The list of swear/curse words, however, could go on and on; most often people swear with many words that are often generally accepted socially without even realizing that they are swearing in the sense that Jesus described. We are constantly bombarded with forms of swearing and cursing at practically every turn, so it is easy to have our minds conditioned to mimic such expressions in our own speech. Practically everything one might watch on TV has forms of swearing and cursing, and many popular songs also have such.
We will add that there are many lists of alleged "swear" words that may be found on the internet, but most of these appear to overlook many of the words listed above, and at the same time list a lot of words that, although they are defamatory terms, may not actually be swear words. Nevertheless, all such rotten sayings are not appropriate for a new creature in Christ, though the flesh of the new creature often proves too weak in this area.
While we should all be endeavoring to bring our flesh in harmony with the spirit by endeavoring to refrain from any form of such swearing, the fact that all of us do swear or curse at times shows that none of us are perfect in our flesh, for he who has learned to perfectly control is tongue is a perfect human. -- James 3:2,8.
If however, such swearing is done in full willfulness by the new creature (rather than just by the old flesh condemned in Adam -- Romans 5:12-19), then it would be a sin denoting a willful rejection of the blood of Christ, and such is a sin that cannot be forgiven, since it is a sin that is to death, the second death, for there is no sacrifice for such sin. -- Hebrews 10:26; 1 John 5:16,17.
Ephesians 4:29
Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak] -- Amplified Bible.
Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak] -- Amplified Bible.
This scripture is not just about swearing or cursing, but one should realize that swearing and cursing is a form of profane or vulgar speech. The word rendered as "unwholesome" above is the Greek word σαπρὸς, often transliterated as "sapros." This word literally means "rotten" or "putrid", and was often used in reference to fruit and other foods that had become spoiled. Thus, as applied to a word we might speak, it is used figuratively as being a rotten word, or a word used in such a way as though something old, and thus corrupted. Adam Clarke refers to it this way:
1. Useless, particularly that which has been rendered so by old age and corruption.2. Putrid, impure; so Aristophanes in Lysistrat., p. 859, calls a bad woman σαπραεμοισυλουτρονωσαπρα. Tune, Spurca! balneum mihi parabis?3. Calumnious, or reproachful; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame, or interest of another.In short, it appears to mean any word or thing obscene, any thing that injures virtue, countenances vice, or scoffs at religion. In the parallel place, Colossians 4:6, the apostle exhorts that our speech may be seasoned with salt, to preserve it from putrefaction. See Kypke and Macknight.
Thus, Paul speaks of any kind of bad language, evidently, especially that of spreading gossip about others, which involves the usage of words to spread a bad report concerning someone. No doubt all of us have been guilty of doing this at times.
In this regard, some present an excuse that the information being spread is true. The truth is that it does not matter if what is being said is true or false; an evil report concerning others should not become a topic to spread about. Such does not reflect a loving course, but a hateful course.
Nevertheless, bridling the tongue (James 1:26) covers all kinds of bad speech, including swearing, cursing, and gossip.
Some helpful information written by others (we do not necessarily agree with all conclusions presented):
What "Corrupt Communication" Signifies
**********
Comments