Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Swear Words?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Swear Words in the Bible
What does the Bible say about swear words? Browse 13 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Swear Words
- 1Exodus 20:7
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
KJV - 2Proverbs 13:3
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
KJV - 3Matthew 5:33
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:”
KJV - 4Matthew 5:37
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
KJV - 5
- 6Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
KJV - 7Ephesians 5:4
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
KJV - 8Colossians 3:8
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
KJV - 9James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
KJV - 10James 3:10
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Swear Words? (2 Verses)
“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Swear Words? (9 Verses)
“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:”
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. to: or, to edify profitably”
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.”
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Swear Words
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about swear words. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about swear words and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about swear words is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on swear words needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about swear words with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about swear words, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Swear Words?
You have studied 11 verses about swear words. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.