Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about keeping promises?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God is perfectly faithful to every word he speaks, and he calls his people to reflect his truthfulness by keeping their promises and speaking plainly. Numbers 23:19 and Psalm 89:34 assure us that God does not lie or alter his covenant word, while Joshua 21:45 celebrates the fulfillment of his promises to Israel. Therefore, vows are not casual matters: Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 and Numbers 30:2 urge believers to fulfill what they have pledged. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:33-37 that ordinary speech should be so honest that a simple yes or no is trustworthy, a command echoed in James 5:12. When we fail, Christ's mercy forgives and renews us, and 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us of God's patient faithfulness.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Numbers 30:2

    When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

  • Psalms 89:34

    I will not break my covenant, Nor alter what my lips have uttered.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

    [4] When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow. [5] It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

  • 2 Peter 3:9

    The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

  • Matthew 5:37

    But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

  • James 5:12

    But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.

  • Numbers 23:19

    God is not a man, that he should lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good?

  • Joshua 21:45

    There failed not anything of any good thing which Yahweh had spoken to the house of Israel; all came to pass.

  • Matthew 5:33-37

    [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' [34] but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. [37] But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

  • Matthew 5:33

    "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,'

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about keeping promises and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about keeping promises