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What does the Bible say about keeping your promise?

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The Bible teaches that God calls His people to be truthful and faithful, keeping lawful promises with reverent integrity because He Himself is perfectly faithful. Numbers 30:2 and Deuteronomy 23:21-23 warn that vows made to the Lord must be fulfilled, while Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 says it is better not to vow than to vow and fail to pay. Jesus, in Matthew 5:33-37, and James 5:12 teach plain, dependable speech rather than careless oath-making. Psalm 15:4 commends the person who keeps his word even when it costs him. Yet our confidence rests finally in God’s promises, fulfilled in Christ, for all God’s promises are yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).

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.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 15:4

    In whose eyes a vile man is despised, But who honors those who fear Yahweh; He who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn't change;

  • Deuteronomy 23:21-23

    [21] When you shall vow a vow to Yahweh your God, you shall not be slack to pay it: for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. [22] But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you. [23] That which is gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, a freewill-offering, which you have promised with your mouth.

  • 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:20

    For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 20:25

    It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, Then later to consider his vows.

  • Hebrews 10:23

    let us hold fast the confession of our hope unyieldingly. For he who promised is faithful.

  • Proverbs 25:14

    As clouds and wind without rain, So is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.

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