Matt. 5:33-37, Let your “Yes” be “Yes” (Stop Swearing)

Let’s study a very important “little” word, the Greek word nai.  It is the particle of affirmation.  In other words, it is the word for “yes.”  We will begin our study with some passages that help us define this word properly.

·       Mt 5:37; James 5:12: Nai means “yes.”  And you should not get into the habit of adding emphasis to the word, like swearing an oath.  “Yes” should mean “yes.”  All else is evil.  I hear people talk about past days when a man’s word was his bond.  What it was then should be normal now: “yes” means “yes” and you don’t need to add anything to it.

·       2Co 1:17-19: Paul’s word was his bond.  Some accused him of lying when he said he intended to come to Corinth.  Paul was unable to do so and sent Timothy instead, but assured them that his “yes” was a “yes.”  Furthermore, he said that Jesus was the same: He was not “yes and no” but all the promises about Him were yes!  (Now do you see what I just did?  I put an “!.”  That is not necessary.)

·       Mt 9:28: Yes, the blind men affirmed their faith that Jesus could heal.

·       Mt 11:9: Yes, Jesus affirmed, John was a prophet and more (Lk 7:26).

·       Mt 11:26: Yes, Jesus affirmed, that it pleased His Father to hide the mystery from the wise but reveal it to babes (Lk 10:21).

·       Mt 13:5: The disciples affirmed: "yes Lord, we understand."

·       Mt 15:27: The Gentile woman affirmed that Christ came to the Jews, but added, “ but even the dogs eat crumbs from the table” (Mk 7:28).

·       Mt 17:25: Peter affirmed: yes, our nation pays tribute tax.

·       Mt 21:16: Jesus affirmed: "Yes, I hear them" (children at triumphal entry).

·       Lk 11:51: Yes, the blood of prophets was to be counted against this generation.

·       Lk 12:5: Yes, fear him who can cast you into hell.

·       Jn 11:27: Martha affirmed her faith: "yes Lord, I believe you are Christ"

·       Jn 21:15,16: Peter affirmed his love for Christ: yes Lord, you know I love You.

·       Ac 5:8: Sapphira affirmed her lie about the land sale to Peter.

·       Ac 22:27: Paul affirmed his Roman citizenship to the captain.

·       Rom 3:29: Paul affirms: “Yes, God is God of Gentiles & Jews.”

·       Phlm 20: Paul encouraged Philemon with the affirmation: “Yes, let me have joy in the Lord through your actions in this matter.”

·       Rev 14:13: The Holy Spirit affirms the truth, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”  They will rest from their labors.

·       Rev 16:7: An angel from the alter in heaven affirms, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

·       Rev 22:20: Jesus affirms: “Yes, I am coming quickly.”

Those last three from Revelation need some good moments of meditation.