What are all the verses about the promises God asked us to make?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The primary passage in Holy Scripture that speaks of all the promises of God is found in the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians:

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

— 2 Corinthians 1:20–22

1. Theological Meaning of 2 Corinthians 1:20

In this passage, St. Paul explains that every single covenant and pledge made by God throughout salvation history finds its ultimate fulfillment, confirmation, and realization in the Person of the Incarnate Word, our Lord Jesus Christ:

• "In Him are Yes": In Christ, God’s promises are not uncertain, shifting, or conditional upon human weakness. They are decisively affirmed and fulfilled.
• "And in Him Amen": Through Christ, the Church responds with the "Amen" (—a Hebrew word meaning truly, faithfully, or so be it) during liturgical worship, giving glory to God the Father.
• Patristic Insight: St. John Chrysostom notes that human plans and promises may waver, but the preaching of the Gospel carries promises that are eternal and unshakable:

"Paul’s preaching promised many things. He talked about being raised to life again and of being taken up into heaven. He talked about incorruption and those great rewards which awaited them. These promises abide unchanging... They are always true." (Homilies on 2 Corinthians, 3.4)

2. Major Scriptural Verses of God's Promises to Mankind

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God reveals specific promises that are fulfilled in the Church through Christ:

• The Promise of Eternal Life:

"And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life." (1 John 2:25)

• The Promise of the Indwelling Holy Spirit:

"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49; cf. Acts 2:38–39)

• The Promise of His Abiding Presence:

"Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matthew 28:20)

• The Promise of Forgiveness and Life for the Penitent:

"‘For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’" (Ezekiel 18:32)

• The Everlasting Covenant Sworn to Abraham:

"To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, the oath which He swore to our father Abraham: to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life." (Luke 1:72–75)

3. Promises/Vows We Make to God

Regarding human beings making vows or promises to God, the Scriptures urge extreme care, reverence, and faithfulness:

• Ecclesiastes 5:4–5:

"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; for He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—better not to vow than to vow and not pay."

• Numbers 30:2:

"If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."

• Matthew 5:37:

"But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one."