And you shall swear, The LORD lives, in truth, in justice, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.
Read Chapter 4
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Swear, when requisite. (Calmet)
Thus thou wilt learn to confess one God. (Theodoret)
If all were upright, oaths would be unnecessary, Matthew v. 34. But as they are not so, (Calmet) this may be a religious act. (Worthington)
Justice. These three conditions are essential. (Haydock)
Him; the people, (Calmet) or God. (St. Jerome)
An oath must attest God, and be used when a thing is true and of moment. (Worthington)
If the old law had belonged to the devil, it would not have led people away from idolatry. Rather, it would have drawn them on and cast them into it, for this is the devil’s desire. But now we see the opposite effect produced by the old law. And indeed this very thing, the oath, was ordained of old for this cause: that they might not swear by the idols. “You shall swear,” said he, “by the true God.” There were then no small advantages that the law effected, but rather very great. That they came to the “strong meat” was the work of its care. - "Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew 17.5"
