Can A Christian Swear?

Firstly, let us define some terms. What does it mean to swear? The word swear is defined as an offensive(causing someone to feel hurt) word. This is very broad definition, but it should work for our means. So, can you say an offensive word to someone? Well, this is what Peter has to say about it. 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil(i.e. no revenge), or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile(I.e. lying): 11 Let him eschew(i.e. abstain from) evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it," (1 Peter 3:8-11 KJV). As Peter states, a person should not use their tongue(i.e. their speech, to cause evil. So, one can not swear in an attempt to hurt another.

Paul also notes this in Ephesians, "29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice," (Ephesians 4:29-31 KJV). Some may try to claim verse 29 is speaking on corrupt sermons, but in this chapter of Ephesians, Paul is speaking on living the way Christ desires instead of what the flesh desires. As he says before Ephesians 4:29-31, " 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth," (Ephesians 4:20-24 KJV). It would make much more sense for Paul to be speaking on swearing instead of advice for pastors/priests.

Now, Jesus and Paul both call people fools/foolish(Luke 12:16-20, Matthew 23:17, and 1 Corinthians 4:10), so is Jesus sinful? Well, the best idea one can get out of this is that the context of the usage matters. Jesus and Paul both use the word fool to teach the audience they are speaking to, using harsher language in order to show their point. Perhaps in this context it is not considered evil as mentioned in Peter's letter.

In Philippians 3:8, Paul uses a very vulgar Greek word, "σκύβαλα". This word is usually translated as garbage(NIV, NLT, & NIRV), rubbish(ESV, NKJV, NRSV, & NASB95), but this is a modest translation. It actually means the word dung[1] as the LEB and KJV translate it as. Some scholars have seen this word as the more vulgar version, that starts with an "s" and ends in a "t". The debate of which it is does not exactly matter, either way, Paul uses the word in which to teach so our previous conclusion still stands.

Work Cited:

200. The Extant Works of Aretaeus, The Cappadocian. Cappadocia. https://www.perseus.tufts.edu

2021. Someone placing a coin into a swear jar full of money.. [image] Available at: <https://www.scribbler.com/> [Accessed 30 August 2022].