Matthew 18:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.