Paragraph 6:16–20

In 6:16–20 the author continued to explain about God’s oath. In Greek, these verses are one long sentence, but English versions have divided it into shorter ones.

6:16a

Men swear by someone greater than themselves: This clause indicates that when people swear an oath, they swear by someone who has more power than they do. Their oath implies that they are asking someone greater than themselves to enforce the oath. If they do not do what they have sworn to do, someone greater than themselves will punish them.

Some other ways to translate this statement are:

When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. (God’s Word)
-or-
People swear by what is greater than themselves (Revised English Bible)

6:16b

and their oath serves as a confirmation: The phrase their oath serves as a confirmation implies that the oath will confirm that the person who swears it will really do what he has said that he will do. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and the oath confirms what is said (New International Version)
-or-
If a person wants to make known to his companions that what he is saying is true, he swears by someone….
-or-
they show that what they are saying is trustworthy by making a vow

their oath: The word oath refers to a person calling on someone or something greater than himself to ensure that he will fulfill what he promises (or that what he says is true). The oath implies that if he does not fulfill it, God (or whatever he called on) will punish him.

In some languages there are specific words that are used when a person makes the oath. You should use a natural expression in your language. Some other ways to translate it are:

make a vow in the name of one who is higher/more-important than they
-or-
the thing he uses to strengthen his promise is, he calls upon God who is greater than he is

to end all argument: The phrase to end all argument means “stops people from arguing.” It implies that people will not argue with what a person has said after he makes an oath. The people will believe that if the person did not speak truthfully, God (or whoever the person swore by) will punish him. People will believe that the person will do what he said he will do so that he will not be punished.

argument: The word argument refers to people arguing with each other. In some languages it is more natural to translate the noun argument with a verb. For example:

disagreeing ⌊with each other⌋

This word also occurs in 7:7, 12:3, and Jude 11.

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