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Explanation for:
Matthew
18
:
8
And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. It is better for thee to go into life maimed or lame, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Temptations are an unavoidable reality in the world, yet sorrow awaits the person whose wrongdoing introduces such temptations. It is essential for passions to be kept in check and inclinations to be renounced, so that they do not present opportunities for temptation to the faith of believers. If someone is deeply connected to you—like a hand, foot, or eye—providing you with support and influencing your emotions, but simultaneously becomes a source of temptation, it is wiser to distance yourself from them and any worldly benefits they bring. This way, when you forge bonds with family or essential companions, you will not find in them a path to your downfall. In the light of our love for the Lord, we should prioritize Him above our brother, spouse, child, friend, or any other affection that might distract us from entering the kingdom of heaven. Every believer is aware of what is detrimental to them and where their soul is often ensnared by temptation. It is preferable to embrace a life of solitude than to jeopardize eternal life for the sake of what is merely temporary."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"To demonstrate that evil is not determined by necessity, consider the following words of the Lord. After expressing sorrow for those who lead others into temptation, He continues... The Saviour here is not referring to the physical parts of the body but rather to our companions and loved ones, whom we may view as essential to our lives. He has addressed this matter previously, and He reiterates it now. There is indeed nothing more damaging than forming alliances with those who are corrupt and immoral. What necessity cannot compel, friendship often brings about, both for good and for ill. This is why the Saviour earnestly instructs us to distance ourselves from those who are harmful, specifically those who entice us into temptation. Can you see how Christ shields us from the dangers posed by temptations? First, He prophesied the coming of temptations, ensuring that no one becomes complacent, but that all remain vigilant against them. Secondly, He acknowledged that temptations are a grave evil, not without cause did He declare: \\"Woe to the world because of temptations,\\" highlighting the significant harm they inflict. Thirdly—and perhaps most importantly—He condemned the individual who leads others into temptation by calling him wretched, implying that such a person faces severe consequences. This warning is further intensified by the accompanying analogy. Yet, not satisfied with merely issuing warnings, He also reveals the path to avoid temptation. What is this path? He instructs us to sever friendships with the wicked, no matter how favorable they may seem to us, providing undeniable evidence of this truth. He states that if they remain our friends, we will be of no benefit to them while simultaneously jeopardizing our own souls. Conversely, if we choose to part ways, we at least safeguard our salvation. Therefore, if a friendship is detrimental, it is wise to disengage. Just as we amputate the afflicted parts of our bodies when they pose a danger to our health, we must be even more resolute in cutting ties with harmful friends. If evil were a matter of nature, such admonitions would be unnecessary and the preceding warnings would be redundant; however, since they are indeed necessary, it is evident that evil stems from human volition."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"By the terms of hand, foot, and eye, we refer to the companions in our lives who are akin to us. Thus, if such close companions prove detrimental, we ought to regard them as corrupt members and separate ourselves from them to prevent further injury to others. This illustrates that while temptations or detrimental individuals may arise, our integrity need not be compromised. If we follow the Lord's guidance and remove from our lives those who bring us harm—even if they are friends—we will endure no injury."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He refers not to the parts of the body, but to family, friends, and companions, who fulfill the role of members, as we elaborated more thoroughly in the fifth chapter. The message remains consistent; thus, the clarification can be found there. While the previous discussion focused on suffering, this context addresses various forms of distress. In this context, the impoverished are described as those without hands."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"To resist temptation, the Lord provides guidance on how to do so: \\"IF YOUR HAND OR YOUR FOOT CAUSES YOU TO STUMBLE, CUT IT OFF AND THROW IT AWAY; IT IS BETTER FOR YOU TO ENTER LIFE MAIMED OR LAME, THAN TO BE CAST INTO THE EVERLASTING FIRE WITH TWO HANDS OR TWO FEET. AND IF YOUR EYE CAUSES YOU TO STUMBLE, PLUCK IT OUT AND THROW IT AWAY; IT IS BETTER FOR YOU TO ENTER LIFE WITH ONE EYE, THAN WITH TWO EYES TO BE CAST INTO HELL FIRE.\\" Here, the Savior isn't referring to physical limbs but rather to those close to us, such as friends and family, whom we hold dear. We must withdraw our affections from those who are wicked, no matter how gracious they may seem towards us. Be willing to give up anything that obstructs your journey toward salvation, no matter how challenging or sorrowful that may feel. Entry into the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be achieved without significant sacrifice, self-denial, and earnest effort."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In Matthew 5:29-30, the phrases “cut off and throw away” and “tear off and throw away” do not refer to the physical members of the body, but rather to the very desires that lead us into sin, along with the situations and objects that stir those desires, even if they are things we hold dear, such as beloved relatives or friends who may jeopardize our salvation. We must renounce anything that obstructs our spiritual well-being, as our salvation should take precedence over all earthly possessions. When it speaks of “entering into life,” it refers to inheriting the eternal joy found in the kingdom of Christ, which represents the ultimate life of the soul, as opposed to the eternal suffering in Gehenna that signifies the death of the soul. The mention of being “without hand or foot— or with one eye” does not imply that the resurrected body will be incomplete or lacking, but rather stresses that it is better for an individual to forsake everything in this life that lures them into sin than to enjoy worldly pleasures that ultimately lead to the loss of eternal life in heaven, within the kingdom of Christ. The reference to “everlasting fire, Gehenna of fire” also points back to Matthew 5:29-30."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"When it is appropriate to sever connections with one’s neighbor, the Lord addressed the topic of temptation by reaffirming His teachings from the Sermon on the Mount regarding responses to those who entice us. By comparing a dear friend to one's right hand and eye, He underscored the critical importance of preserving communication with such friends. Yet, He emphasized that even a cherished friend must be forsaken and all interaction ceased if that individual leads one towards temptation or sinful behavior, as detailed in Matthew 5:29-30."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Returning to His discussion and still holding the child close, the Savior cautioned about the grave guilt and peril associated with causing offense, temptation, and leading astray from the path of purity and righteousness. He warned against imparting evil teachings or suggesting wicked thoughts to one of these little ones, whose angels are always in the presence of His Father in heaven. He spoke with unprecedented severity about such deceivers and those who carry out the devil's work, declaring that their fate would be so dire that it would be preferable for them to tie a millstone around their necks and be cast into the depths of the sea. He emphasized that no sacrifice is too great to prevent oneself or others from facing temptation that would create stumbling blocks. It is better to sever the right hand and enter the kingdom of heaven without it; better to amputate the right foot and enter the kingdom of heaven lame; better to remove the right eye and enter the kingdom of heaven sightless than to allow the hand, foot, or eye to lead to sin, which would nourish the unquenchable worm and ignite the unending fire. Drowning in this world with a millstone around the neck is far preferable to carrying the burdens of moral and spiritual temptation that can drown the guilty soul in the lake of fire and spiritual death."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"If your hand or foot leads you to sin, it is better to amputate it and remove it from your life. It is preferable to enter the kingdom of God as a disabled person than to retain your full limbs and face the eternal fire of Gehenna, where their worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. Likewise, if your eye causes you to stumble, remove it; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into fiery Gehenna with both eyes, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. The Lord first delivered these teachings during the Sermon on the Mount while expounding on the seventh commandment of the Old Testament. The holy Fathers interpret these words as carrying profound significance. The Venerable Ephraim the Syrian states that the Lord did not intend for us to literally sever the parts of our bodies He created, but rather to guide us not to attribute guilt for sin to our nature. St. John Chrysostom explains that the Savior refers not to our physical members, but rather to the \\"corrupt will\\" that governs them. The focus here is not on the senses themselves, which are neutral, but on the inclinations and opportunities for sin that the soul encounters through them. Thus, the Lord advises us to eradicate the source of temptation not through physical means, but through our will—those who resolve not to gaze upon temptation have already metaphorically amputated the enticing eye. In the same way, those who refrain from using their hands and feet for sinful actions effectively deny themselves the use of those body parts as though they have been severed. Additionally, when considering the members of the body that tempt us, we can also think of the dear objects and individuals in our lives that, if they hinder our salvation, must be sacrificed; this may include family, friends, or acquaintances. According to the Holy Fathers, to cut these ties means to forsake our affection and friendship for them. Such sacrifices are challenging, and the struggle against sinful desires can be painful, but we must pose the question—what is the course we should take?"}]}
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