Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein, upon just occasion, the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth, or promiseth; and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he sweareth.
Scripture proofs: Deut. 10:20; Ex. 20:7; Lev. 19:12; 2 Cor. 1:23; 2 Chron. 6:22-23.
2. The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence. Therefore, to swear vainly or rashly, by that glorious and dreadful Name; or, to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred. Yet, as in matters of weight and moment, an oath is warranted by the Word of God, under the New Testament, as well as under the Old; so a lawful oath, being imposed by lawful authority, in such matters ought to be taken.
Scripture proofs: Deut. 6:13; Ex. 20:7; Jer. 5:7; Matt. 5: 34, 37; Jas. 5:12; Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1: 23; Isa. 65:16; 1 Kings 8:31; Neh. 13: 25; Ezra 10:5.
3. Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he is fully persuaded is the truth. Neither may any man bind himself by oath to anything but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform. Yet it is a sin to refuse an oath touching anything that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority.
Scripture proofs: Ex. 20:7; Jer. 4:2; Gen. 24:2-3, 5-6, 8- 9; Num. 5:19, 21; Neh. 5:12; Ex. 22: 7-11.
4. An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation, or mental reservation. It cannot oblige to sin: but in anything not sinful, being taken, it binds to performance, although to a man’s own hurt. Nor is it to be violated, although made to heretics, or infidels.
Scripture proofs: Jer. 4:2; Ps. 24:4; 1 Sam. 25:22, 32-34; Ps. 15:4; Ezek. 17:16, 18-19; Josh. 9: 18-19 with 2 Sam. 21:1.
5. A vow is of the like nature with a promissory oath, and ought to be made with the like religious care, and to be performed with the like faithfulness.
Scripture proofs: Isa. 19:21; Eccl. 5:4-6; Ps. 61:8; Ps. 66:13-14.
6. It is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone: and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith, and conscience of duty, in way of thankfulness for mercy received, or for the obtaining of what we want; whereby we more strictly bind ourselves to necessary duties; or to other things, so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto.
Scripture proofs: Ps. 76:11; Jer. 44:25-26; Deut. 23:21-23; Ps. 50:14; Gen. 28:20-22; 1 Sam. 1:11; Ps. 66:13-14; Ps. 132:2-5.
7. No man may vow to do anything forbidden in the Word of God, or what would hinder any duty therein commanded, or which is not in his own power, and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God. In which respects, Popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.
Scripture proofs: Acts 23:12, 14; Mark 6:26; Num. 30:5, 8, 12-13; Matt. 19:11-12; 1 Cor. 7:2, 9; Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:2; 1 Cor. 7:23.
Words to know
- Oath
- A solemn statement or promise that calls God as witness to its truth.
- Vow
- A serious, voluntary promise of dedication to God.
- Monastic
- Related to life in a religious community such as a monastery.
WCF 22.1 · A serious promise before God
A lawful oath calls God to witness that what we say or promise is true. We acknowledge that he judges truth and falsehood. On a proper serious occasion, this is an act of worship, so it should never be treated lightly.
Deuteronomy 10:20; Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12.
Why is an oath more serious than casual talk?
WCF 22.2 · Honor God’s name in an oath
A solemn oath should appeal to God alone and use his name reverently. Careless, empty, or rash swearing is sinful. Scripture allows lawful oaths in serious matters under both Testaments. When a proper authority requires such a lawful oath, we should take it.
Deuteronomy 6:13; Exodus 20:7; Jeremiah 5:7.
How is a lawful oath different from careless swearing?
WCF 22.3 · Think before you promise
Before taking an oath, consider its seriousness. State only what you believe is true. Promise only something good and just that you intend and are able to do. We should not refuse a lawful oath about a right duty simply because we dislike being accountable.
Exodus 20:7; Jeremiah 4:2; Genesis 24:2-3.
What should you check before making a solemn promise?
WCF 22.4 · No hidden escape clauses
An oath means what its words plainly say. We may not secretly give them another meaning. It cannot require us to sin, but a lawful promise still binds us when keeping it becomes costly. We must keep it even when made to someone whose religion is false.
Jeremiah 4:2; Psalm 24:4; 1 Samuel 25:22.
May we break a right promise just because keeping it becomes inconvenient?
WCF 22.5 · Keep a vow faithfully
A vow is like a solemn promised oath. It should be made with the same care and kept with the same faithfulness. Serious promises to God are not a way to impress others or speak without thinking.
Isaiah 19:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Psalm 61:8.
Why should we avoid making careless vows?
WCF 22.6 · A vow is made to God
A vow should be made to God alone, freely and in faith. It may express gratitude for mercy or a request for blessing. It commits us more firmly to proper duties or to helpful practices while those remain useful. It must come from a willing conscience, not pressure to perform for people.
Psalm 76:11; Jeremiah 44:25-26; Deuteronomy 23:21-23.
How can a vow express gratitude rather than earn God’s favor?
WCF 22.7 · Never promise to do wrong
We must not vow to do what Scripture forbids, to neglect a duty, or to do something beyond our power without God’s promised help. The Confession rejects monastic vows of lifelong celibacy, poverty, and obedience as a supposedly higher spiritual life. A vow cannot turn an unbiblical obligation into a holy one. This does not make ordinary singleness or generosity wrong.
Acts 23:12; Mark 6:26; Numbers 30:5.
Can a promise make a sinful action right?
1. There is scriptural warrant for swearing with the hand uplifted. Christians should avoid all superstitious or pagan customs in taking an oath. Heb. 6:16-18; Gen. 14:22; Deut. 10:20; Ex. 6:8; Rev. 10:5-6.
2. Those Scripture passages warning against taking oaths are to be understood as forbidding profane swearing, or the use of an oath to deceive or to escape one’s duty. Matt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12; cf. Mark 7:6-13.
3. The administrator of an oath, whether civil or ecclesiastical, ought to explain the meaning of the oath, and administer it with suitable solemnity. The well-being of individuals and of society requires that the administrator of an oath know and fear God and understand its nature. Oaths should be administered only to those who understand their meaning. Eccl. 9:2; Deut. 6:13; Josh. 9:15, 19; cf. 2 Sam. 21:1-14.
4. An oath is a confirmatory act calling God to witness the performance of a promise. An oath may confirm a vow or a covenant. Num. 30:1-4; Ps. 132:2-5; Josh. 9:16-27; 2 Chron. 15:12-15.
5. A vow in Scripture is an act of voluntary dedication to God of one’s person, goods or service. A vow is usually made by an individual. Lev. 27; Num. 6; Deut. 23:21-23; cf. Num. 21:2; Nah. 1:15.
6. While it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the uses in Scripture of the words “vow” and “covenant,” a covenant that men make with God differs from a vow in that it is a corporate act of pledging obedience to what God has commanded in His covenant. Gen. 28:20-22; Num. 21:2; Deut. 23: 21-23; Josh. 24:24-25; 2 Chron. 34: 29-32.
7. God has established two covenants with men: the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace (see chap. 7). In accomplishing the Covenant of Grace God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel at Sinai (renewed in the plain of Moab), and with David; these were fulfilled in the new covenant by Jesus Christ. Gen. 2:17; Gen. 9:1-17; Gen. 12:1-3; Ex. 24:3-11; Deut. 29—30; 2 Sam. 7: 5-16; Jer. 31:31-34.
8. God’s covenants require obedience of all men whether they acknowledge their obligation or not. God’s people, individually and corporately, respond to His covenants by solemnly promising to be the Lord’s and to keep His commandments. The Old Testament sacraments, such as circumcision, passover and the feast of tabernacles, were means of entering into and periodically renewing Israel’s covenant. Likewise, the sacraments of the New Testament are ordinances for entrance into and renewal of covenant union with God. In addition to these prescribed times of covenant celebration, God’s people under the old covenant engaged in corporate acts of repentance and renewal in relation to the transgression of specific commandments or to general apostasy from God. Scripture calls such acts “covenants.” Gen. 17:10; Lev. 23:3-10 with John 19:36 and 1 Cor. 5:7-8; Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; Josh. 24:24-25; 2 Chron. 15:2, 8-15; 2 Chron. 23:16; 2 Chron. 34:29-32; Neh. 9-10.
9. Covenanting in the New Testament takes the form of confessing Christ and His Lordship. In view of the continued emphasis of the covenantal relationship of God to men in the New Testament, it is appropriate for churches and nations to covenant to be the Lord’s and to serve Him. The statements or documents produced in these acts of covenant response are dependent upon the Covenant of Grace. They are statements of responsibility arising from the application of the Word of God to the times in which they are made. Such covenants have continuing validity in so far as they give true expression to the Word of God for the times and situations in which believers live. Isa. 45:23 with Rom. 14:11 and Phil. 2:11; Jer. 31:31 with Heb. 8:6-13; Ex. 19:5-6 with 1 Pet. 2:9-10.
Words to know
- Oath
- A solemn statement or promise that calls God as witness to its truth.
- Vow
- A serious, voluntary promise of dedication to God.
- Monastic
- Related to life in a religious community such as a monastery.
- Covenant
- A relationship God establishes with promises and responsibilities.
- Covenant of grace
- God’s promise to save his people through Jesus Christ, received by faith.
Testimony 22.1
Raising a hand when taking an oath has biblical support. Christians should avoid pagan or superstitious practices in oath-taking.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.2
Biblical warnings about oaths forbid irreverent swearing, deception, and attempts to avoid our duties, rather than every lawful oath.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.3
An oath should be explained and administered seriously by someone who understands accountability to God. The person taking it must understand its meaning too.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.4
An oath calls God to witness a promise and may confirm a vow or a covenant.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.5
A vow is a voluntary dedication of yourself, possessions, or service to God, usually made by an individual.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.6
A covenant response is a group’s solemn promise to obey what God has commanded. This distinguishes it from an individual vow of dedication.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.7
The covenant of grace unfolds through God’s covenants with Noah, Abraham, Israel, and David, and is fulfilled in Jesus’ new covenant. This connects the Bible’s covenant history.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.8
God’s people should respond to his promises by trusting and obeying him, turning from sin, and renewing their commitment. Baptism marks entry into his covenant people, and the Lord’s Supper marks renewal. The Bible also describes special times when God’s people made promises together.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 22.9
Churches and nations may publicly pledge to serve Christ. These promises respond to God’s covenant of grace and remain binding insofar as they faithfully apply his Word to their circumstances.
Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-65, A-66, A-67, A-68, A-69.