Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, on Jas 5:12

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath. But let your speech be, yea, yea: no, no: that you fall not under judgment.”

“But above all--as swearing is utterly alien to the Christian meek "endurance" just recommended. swear not--through impatience, to which trials may tempt you (Jam 5:10-11). In contrast to this stands the proper use of the tongue, Jam 5:13. James here refers to Mat 5:34, &c. let your yea be yea--Do not use oaths in your everyday conversation, but let a simple affirmative or denial be deemed enough to establish your word. condemnation--literally, "judgment," namely, of "the Judge" who "standeth before the doors" (Jam 5:9).”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.