THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. Consequently, we are called to fulfill our commitments to God, and anyone who has made a promise must see it through without hesitation, for it is indeed daunting and perilous to neglect such duties, as is confirmed by the Holy Scripture. If we justly regard it as disgraceful to be accused of dishonesty, how could it be anything less than shameful to make a vow before God and then fail to uphold that promise? Thus, the law holds accountable those who have vowed yet failed to fulfill their pledges, as well as those who have not fulfilled them at all. However, it absolves from guilt those who possess nothing of their own but are bound by obligation to others and act under their authority.
Read more (198 words)
This is illustrated in the book of Numbers: ‘And Moses spake unto the chiefs of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is what the Lord hath commanded: if a man make a vow unto the Lord, or swear by an oath, having put a vow upon his soul, he shall not break his word, but shall fulfil all that came out of his mouth. If a woman shall make a vow unto the Lord, and put a vow upon herself in her father's house, in her youth, and her father shall hear her vow, and the vow which she hath put upon her soul, and her father shall be silent concerning it, then all her vows shall take place, and every vow which she hath put upon her soul shall take place; But if her father, when he hears, forbid her, all her vows and her vows which she hath put upon her soul shall not come to pass, and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father hath forbidden her’ (Num. 30:2-6). Additionally, if it pertains to a wife bound to her husband in accordance with the law, the same regulations apply (Num. 30:7-9).