Theodoret of Cyrus on Swearing

Theodoret of Cyrus on Swearing

Haereticarum fabularum compendium, 5.16

Source: PG 83:505 [Translation mine, first draft]

Certainly, the old [Law] forbids you to lie, but the new [forbids] even an oath.

Καὶ ὁ μὲν παλαιὸς ἀπαγορεύει τὸ ψεῦδος, ὁ δέ γε νέος καὶ τὸν ὅρκον.

Cure for Greek Maladies, 9.66

Source: PG 84: 1057 [Translation mine, first draft] 

And concerning oaths He has also given laws: He forbids oaths, and says "yes" and "no" are sufficient to confirm what was said.

καὶ περὶ ὅρκων δὲ νόμους τιθείς, καὶ αὐτοὺς ἀπαγορεύει τοὺς ὅρκους, ἀποχρῆν λέγων τὸ „ναὶ“ καὶ τὸ „οὒ“ πρὸς τὴν τῶν λεγομένων βεβαίωσιν. 

Questions in Genesis, 31.1

Source: Theodoret (Bishop of Cyrrhus.). 2007. The Questions on the Octateuch, p. 79-81. Translated by John Petruccione. CUA Press.

Yet, since the ill-omened heretics who openly dispute the Old Testament are likely to criticize this law, I shall make my point from the Gospel legislation. In these laws we find that the man who merely looks at a woman lustfully is condemned for adultery; the one who becomes angry without provocation is regarded as guilty of a crime, the one who speaks contemptuously of his brother is said to be liable to prosecution, while the one who calls him a fool is condemned to hell,'' and he who swears, even if swearing the truth, is relegated to the devil. So why do they call this Lawgiver good, but the giver of the old law harsh, when the penalties of the new law, by their own reckoning, are more severe than those of the old? Their temerity is a form of blasphemy. But we are aware that both the old law and the new come from the one God. The difference lies in the character of those who receive the law. A wise teacher, after all, proposes less developed teaching to immature people and more developed to the mature.

On Jeremiah 4.2.

Source: Theodoret. Commentary on the Prophet Jeremiah, p.38. Translated by Robert C. Hill. Commentaries on the Prophets, v. 1. (Brookline, MA: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 2006).

Having thus taught them to pray, he promises them also enjoyment of good things, provided they forget about the idols (referring to them as abominations) and transfer their adoration to the true God so as to make their oaths no longer by idols but by him, keeping to the truth and not falsehood. He says as much in fact: “If you swear, ‘The Lord lives,’ in truth, in justice and in righteousness.” In the sacred Gospels, by contrast, he made more perfect prescriptions than these: “It was said to the ancients, You shall not swear falsely: you shall discharge your oaths to the Lord. But I tell you, do not swear at all.” He bids Jews, being weak as they are, to swear by him so that through the habit of swearing they may learn to adore him alone; and He promises that, if this is done, “nations give blessing through him and through him will praise God in Jerusalem.” In other words, when they became religious, many of the neighboring peoples learned about religion.

Letter 78, To Eusebius, Bishop of Persian Armenia.

Source: NPNF2-03:274-275

Our Lord is full of loving-kindness. He receives the repentance of sinners. Let us hear His own words: “As I live saith the Lord I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” So He prefaced His words with an oath, and He who forbids oaths to others swore Himself to convince us how He desires our repentance and salvation. Of this teaching the divine books, both the old and the new, are full, and the precepts of the holy Fathers teach the same.