Query: Difference between promise and vow

[Reepicheep]

I ask advice concerning this situation:

I have made a solemn promise to a friend, concerning something of importance.
My friend wants me to “vow” that I will keep my promise.

I’m thinking of Christ’s words in the Gospel, in which He tells us (Matthew 5:33-37) to avoid swearing oaths.
Now I know this is not an absolute prohibition, or else we would be forbidden to swear oaths in court. But I’m not sure where the line is drawn.

My friend wants me to, in effect, swear to God that I’ll keep my promise. This is a purely personal matter, no duty to anyone else involved.
The object of the promise is something I’m willing to do, and willing to solemnly promise to do. In fact I’ve already given my promise. But she suffers from doubts (and has reasonable grounds for doubting) and so wants an actual vow, a swearing to God.

Will I do wrong if I swear a vow, to God, that I’ll keep my promise?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

I think so. Your friend has a problem which has nothing to do with the issue at hand, and will only get worse. To help your friend you need to say to her " I have made an offer to help you, if that is not good enough then ask some one else. Neither I nor the world owes you dieing allegiance, so please get over it"

 

[Della]

A vow carries with it the penalty of sin if not fufilled, but a promise does not. If the thing your friend wants you to vow is something you would not want to be held to at that level, then tell her you won’t take a vow, but that you will solemnly promise. And if that won’t satisfy her, then don’t promise at all. In any case, God expects us to do what we say we will do, no matter if we merely say we will or vow that we will, so think it over carefully.

 

[LittleRose]

My friend wants me to, in effect, swear to God that I’ll keep my promise. This is a purely personal matter, no duty to anyone else involved.
The object of the promise is something I’m willing to do, and willing to solemnly promise to do. In fact I’ve already given my promise. But she suffers from doubts (and has reasonable grounds for doubting) and so wants an actual vow, a swearing to God.

Will I do wrong if I swear a vow, to God, that I’ll keep my promise?

Tell your friend that if she trusts and respects you, she will take your word. She should not ask you to potentially put your soul in danger by swearing a vow to do something that (compared to things like marriage and priesthood, for which we do take vows) is not important.

What are you going to do if your frienship turns sour, or if you are unable to fulfill your commitment due to circumstances beyond your control

Do not swear a vow. Tell her your friendship and therefore your word should be enough.