Matthew 18:8

Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast [them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Wherefore {G1161} if {G1487} thy {G4675} hand {G5495} or {G2228} thy {G4675} foot {G4228} offend thee {G4624}, cut {G1581} them {G846} off {G1581}, and {G2532} cast {G906} them from {G575} thee {G4571}{G4675}: it is {G2076} better {G2570} for thee {G4671} to enter into {G1525}{G1519} life {G2222} halt {G5560} or {G2228} maimed {G2948}, rather than {G2228} having {G2192} two {G1417} hands {G5495} or {G2228} two {G1417} feet {G4228} to be cast {G906} into {G1519} everlasting {G166} fire {G4442}.

"So if your hand or foot becomes a snare for you, cut it off and throw it away! Better that you should be maimed or crippled and obtain eternal life than keep both hands or both feet and be thrown into everlasting fire!

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.

And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire.

Commentary

Context of Matthew 18:8

This verse is part of Jesus' discourse to His disciples on humility, causing others to stumble, and the value of every believer. Coming immediately after Jesus' warning about causing one of "these little ones" to stumble (Matthew 18:6), this passage pivots to the individual's responsibility to avoid sin themselves. It emphasizes the extreme measures one should take to prevent personal sin that could lead to spiritual ruin, mirroring a similar teaching found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:29-30) and Mark 9:43-48. The historical context includes the Jewish understanding of consequences for sin and the importance of ethical living for entering God's kingdom.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Self-Discipline: The imagery of cutting off a hand or foot is a powerful, hyperbole-driven metaphor for the severe and immediate action required to deal with sources of sin in one's life. It calls for absolute commitment to purity.
  • Prioritizing Eternal Life: Jesus clearly states that it is "better for thee to enter into life" even with extreme sacrifice, rather than face "everlasting fire." This highlights the immense value of eternal life over any earthly comfort or physical integrity.
  • Consequences of Unchecked Sin: The stark warning of being "cast into everlasting fire" underscores the severe and eternal repercussions of allowing sin to dominate one's life. It serves as a powerful deterrent and a call to repentance.
  • Identification of "Offending" Elements: The "hand" and "foot" symbolize actions, activities, or paths that lead one into sin. It's a call to identify and decisively remove anything that causes spiritual stumbling, whether a habit, relationship, or desire.

Linguistic Insights

The key word here is "offend" (KJV), which comes from the Greek word skandalizo (σκανδαλίζω). This term literally means to cause to stumble, to entice to sin, or to be a snare. It is the root of our English word "scandal." In this context, it doesn't mean merely to annoy someone, but to be a spiritual trap or a source of temptation that leads to sin. The phrase "everlasting fire" (Greek: pur aionion, πῦρ αἰώνιον) clearly points to a state of eternal punishment, emphasizing the permanent nature of the judgment for those who reject God's way.

Practical Application

Jesus is not advocating for literal self-mutilation. Instead, Matthew 18:8 calls believers to engage in a form of spiritual surgery. To apply this verse today, one must:

  1. Identify Sinful Influences: Honestly assess what aspects of your life—habits, relationships, entertainment, thought patterns—consistently lead you into sin or draw you away from God.
  2. Take Decisive Action: Be willing to make radical changes. This might mean ending harmful relationships, giving up certain activities, or setting strict boundaries to avoid temptation. The cost of dealing with sin is always less than the cost of allowing it to fester.
  3. Prioritize Holiness: Recognize that spiritual integrity and entering into eternal life are of paramount importance. No earthly pleasure or comfort is worth jeopardizing your soul's salvation. This radical commitment to holiness is a hallmark of true discipleship.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:29 (10 votes)

    And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

  • Matthew 5:30 (10 votes)

    And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

  • Philippians 3:8 (7 votes)

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

  • Philippians 3:9 (7 votes)

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  • Romans 13:12 (6 votes)

    The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

  • Luke 18:22 (5 votes)

    Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

  • Luke 18:23 (5 votes)

    And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.