Justin Martyr, First Apol. 16, on Swearing

Justin Martyr, First Apol. 16

 Written c. 155 CE.

Source: Saint Justin Martyr. 2010. The First Apology, The Second Apology, Dialogue with Trypho, Exhortation to the Greeks, Discourse to the Greeks, The Monarchy Or The Rule of God (The Fathers of the Church, Volume 6), p. 50-51. Translated by Thomas B. Falls. CUA Press.

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He commanded us never to swear, but always to tell the truth: "Do not swear at all, but let your yes be yes, and your no, no; for whatever is beyond these comes from the evil one." He convinced us that only God is to be worshipped, when He said: 'The greatest commandment is this: "Thou shalt adore the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve, with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, the Lord God who made thee," and when a certain man came to Him and said: 'Good Master,' He replied: 'There is none good but God alone who made all things.'? May they who are not found living according to His teachings know that they are not Christians, even though they profess with their tongues the teaching of Christ, for He said that not those who only profess His doctrines, but those who put them into practice, shall be saved.' Indeed, He said: 'Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in Heaven. For whosoever hears Me and does what I say, hears Him who sent Me. And many will say to Me, "Lord, Lord, have we not eaten and drunk, and done wonders in your name?And then will I say to them: "Depart from Me, you workers of evil.'" Then there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when the just shall shine as the sun, and the wicked are sent into everlasting fire. For many shall come in My name, dressed outwardly in sheep's clothing, but who inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their works you shall know them. Every tree that does not bring forth good fruit, shall be cut down and cast into the fire.'ll And we ask that you also punish all those who call themselves Christians, but are not living according to His teachings.

περὶ δὲ τοῦ μὴ ὀμνύναι ὅλως, τἀληθῆ δὲ λέγειν ἀεί, οὕτως παρεκελεύσατο· Μὴ ὀμόσητε ὅλως· ἔστω δὲ ὑμῶν τὸ ναὶ ναί, καὶ τὸ οὒ οὔ· τὸ δὲ περισσὸν τούτων ἐκ τοῦ πονηροῦ. [PG 6:353]