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The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5 - 7

Chapter 5

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

What does this mean?

Context and Interpretation

1. Context in the Sermon on the Mount:
   • The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' comprehensive teaching on the values and ethics of the Kingdom of God. It includes a series of contrasts between the traditional Jewish law and the deeper, heart-centered righteousness Jesus advocates.
2. Immediate Context:
   • This passage follows Jesus' teaching on the importance of reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-26) and continues with the theme of internal versus external righteousness. Jesus emphasizes the importance of purity of heart, not just external adherence to the law.

Explanation of the Passage

1. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'":
   • This refers to the Seventh Commandment (Exodus 20:14), which prohibits adultery. It represents the traditional understanding of the law, focusing on the physical act of adultery.
2. "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.":
   • Jesus deepens the commandment by addressing the internal attitude and intention behind the act. He teaches that lustful thoughts are as sinful as the act of adultery itself. This highlights the importance of inner purity and the need to control one's thoughts and desires.
   • This refers to Exodus 20:17, “Do not covet (lust after) your neighbor’s wife” and makes it clear that this applies to people who are married and coveting other women whether they are married or not.
3. "If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.":
   • This hyperbolic statement emphasizes the severity of sin and the lengths one should go to avoid it. The "right eye" symbolizes something valuable, and its removal signifies taking drastic measures to avoid sin. This is not a literal instruction but a metaphor for the seriousness with which one should address temptations.
4. "It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.":
   • Jesus underscores the eternal consequences of sin. Avoiding sin, even at great personal cost, is preferable to suffering eternal punishment. This reflects the gravity of sin and the importance of spiritual well-being over physical comfort or completeness.
5. "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.":
   • Similar to the statement about the eye, the right hand represents something valuable and essential. Jesus again uses hyperbole to stress the necessity of removing sources of temptation, no matter how integral they may seem to one’s life.

Biblical Principles

1. Internal Righteousness:
   • Jesus teaches that true righteousness goes beyond external actions and includes the purity of the heart and mind. This principle is echoed in other parts of the New Testament, such as in the teachings of Paul (e.g., Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8).
2. Radical Action Against Sin:
   • The hyperbolic language about removing an eye or hand illustrates the importance of taking decisive and radical actions to avoid sin. This principle can be applied to modern life by removing or avoiding sources of temptation.
3. Eternal Perspective:
   • Jesus emphasizes the eternal consequences of sin. This perspective encourages believers to prioritize their spiritual health and eternal destiny over temporary pleasures or conveniences.

Application

• Personal Purity: This teaching encourages individuals to examine their thoughts and desires, striving for purity in both mind and heart.
• Avoiding Temptation: It advocates for taking practical steps to avoid situations or behaviors that lead to sin, even if those steps seem extreme.
• Spiritual Prioritization: The passage calls for prioritizing spiritual well-being and eternal life over physical and temporary concerns.