## Lord’s Day 37
### 101. Q. But may we swear an oath in God’s name if we do it reverently?

**A**. Yes, when the government demands it, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote truth and trustworthiness for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good. Such oath-taking is grounded in God’s Word<sup>1</sup> and was rightly used by the saints in the Old and New Testaments.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Deut. 6:13](/References/Bible/05%20-%20Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy6.md#13); [10:20](/References/Bible/05%20-%20Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy10.md#20); [Jer. 4:1–2](/References/Bible/24%20-%20Jeremiah/Jeremiah4.md); [Heb. 6:16](/References/Bible/58%20-%20Hebrews/Hebrews6.md#16)
<sup>2</sup> [Gen. 21:24](/References/Bible/01%20-%20Genesis/Genesis21.md#24); [Josh. 9:15](/References/Bible/06%20-%20Joshua/Joshua9.md#15); [1 Kings 1:29–30](/References/Bible/11%20-%201Kings/1Kings1.md#29); [Rom. 1:9](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans1.md#9); [2 Cor. 1:23](/References/Bible/47%20-%202Corinthians/2Corinthians1.md#23)

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### 102. Q. May we also swear by saints or other created things?

**A**. No. A legitimate oath is calling upon God as the one who knows my heart to witness to the truth and to punish me if I swear falsely.<sup>1</sup> No created thing is worthy of such honor.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Rom. 9:1](/References/Bible/45%20-%20Romans/Romans9.md); [2 Cor. 1:23](/References/Bible/47%20-%202Corinthians/2Corinthians1.md#23)
<sup>2</sup> [Matt. 5:34–37](/References/Bible/40%20-%20Matthew/Matthew5.md#34); [23:16–22](/References/Bible/40%20-%20Matthew/Matthew23.md#16); [James 5:12](/References/Bible/59%20-%20James/James5.md#12)