James 5:12
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Cross-reference
James 3:2 stresses controlling the tongue — James 5:12's oath command is a concrete example of bridling speech.
Matthew 5:33-37 records Jesus' direct teaching against oaths — James applies this same command to the church.
Matthew 23:16-22 condemns Pharisaic oath distinctions — James's blanket prohibition eliminates such loopholes.
2 Corinthians 1:17-20 affirms faithful 'yes' and 'no' — same integrity in speech that James requires without oaths.
Exodus 20:7 forbids misusing God's name—an oath James expands by banning all swearing, even without God's name.
Leviticus 19:12 forbids false oaths—James goes further, prohibiting even truthful oaths to avoid condemnation.
Deuteronomy 5:11 repeats the command not to misuse God's name—James broadens this to all oaths, not just those with God's name.
Matthew 5:34 records Jesus' command not to swear by heaven—James directly echoes this teaching in his own epistle.
Matthew 5:37 says let your 'yes' be 'yes'—James repeats this exact instruction, reinforcing Jesus' sermon.