### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word μονόφθαλμος (monóphthalmos) is a compound adjective formed from μόνος (monos), meaning "alone," "only," or "single," and ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), meaning "eye." Its literal and primary meaning is "one-eyed" or "having a single eye." It describes a physical condition, indicating the loss or absence of one eye. While the concept of a "single eye" can sometimes carry metaphorical implications in broader philosophical or spiritual contexts (e.g., focus, clarity of vision), its usage in the New Testament is strictly literal, serving as a stark image within a hyperbolic statement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
μονόφθαλμος appears twice in the New Testament, both times in the Synoptic Gospels, within Jesus' teachings on radical discipleship and the severity of sin.
* **Matthew 18:9:** "And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell." [[Matthew 18:9]]
* In this passage, Jesus uses μονόφθαλμος as part of a hyperbolic command. The "eye" here symbolizes anything, however valuable or intimate, that serves as a `{{G4625}}` (skandalon, "stumbling block") leading one into sin. The implication is not a literal call to self-mutilation, but a vivid illustration of the extreme measures one must be willing to take to avoid spiritual ruin and secure eternal life. The contrast between entering "life" (eternal salvation) with a physical impairment versus entering "fiery hell" with bodily integrity underscores the infinite value of the soul's salvation.
* **Mark 9:47:** "And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." [[Mark 9:47]]
* This parallel account in Mark reinforces the same message of uncompromising commitment to spiritual purity. The graphic imagery of being "one-eyed" serves to shock the listener into understanding the ultimate stakes involved in the battle against sin. The description of hell, with its undying worm and unquenchable fire, intensifies the dire consequence of failing to deal decisively with sin.
* In both contexts, the word is embedded within Jesus' broader teaching on "stumbling blocks" and the imperative to remove anything that hinders one's path to God.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos - `{{G3788}}`):** The fundamental word for "eye." In biblical thought, the eye often represents perception, understanding, or the gateway for temptation (e.g., "lust of the eyes"). Jesus also speaks of the "eye being the lamp of the body" ([[Matthew 6:22]]), suggesting that a "sound" or "single" eye leads to spiritual light, contrasting with the state implied by μονόφθαλμος in a physical sense.
* **σκάνδαλον (skandalon - `{{G4625}}`):** "Stumbling block," "offense," "trap." This is the immediate conceptual context for μονόφθαλμος. Jesus' teaching is about removing whatever causes one to stumble into sin.
* **Hell (γέεννα - geenna - `{{G1067}}`):** The ultimate destination for those who do not take radical action against sin. The stark contrast between entering life μονόφθαλμος and being thrown into hell highlights the eschatological stakes.
* **Radical Discipleship:** The use of μονόφθαλμος is part of a larger theme in Jesus' teachings that demands absolute commitment and sacrifice from his followers, emphasizing the supreme value of the Kingdom of God over all earthly comforts or attachments. This includes teachings on "losing one's life" for Christ's sake ([[Matthew 10:39]]) and the cost of following Him.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of μονόφθαλμος in Jesus' teaching is profound:
* **The Gravity of Sin:** The hyperbolic command to become "one-eyed" vividly underscores the destructive power and extreme gravity of sin. Sin is portrayed not as a minor transgression but as a potentially damning force that must be dealt with ruthlessly and without compromise.
* **Radical Purity and Self-Denial:** Jesus calls for an uncompromising, internal purity that goes beyond mere external observance. The "eye" represents the desires, intentions, and avenues through which sin enters and takes root in a person's life. The call to become μονόφθαλμος is a spiritual injunction to eliminate the very source of temptation if it threatens one's spiritual life and relationship with God.
* **The Supreme Value of Eternal Life:** The passage highlights the incomparable value of eternal life and entrance into the Kingdom of God. No earthly possession, no bodily comfort, no personal desire—even one as fundamental as sight—is worth risking one's eternal salvation. Entering "life" or the "kingdom of God" with a severe physical impairment is infinitely preferable to facing eternal damnation while physically whole.
* **Hyperbole as a Teaching Device:** This use of μονόφθαλμος is a quintessential example of Jesus' use of hyperbole. He is not advocating literal self-mutilation, but employing shock imagery to impress upon his listeners the absolute necessity of decisive action against sin and the unreserved commitment required for true discipleship. The physical imagery serves to convey a spiritual urgency and an uncompromising standard of holiness.
### Summary
The Greek word μονόφθαλμος (monóphthalmos), meaning "one-eyed," is found in the New Testament exclusively in [[Matthew 18:9]] and [[Mark 9:47]]. It is a compound term derived from μόνος ("single") and ὀφθαλμός ("eye"). In both instances, Jesus employs this stark imagery within a hyperbolic statement to emphasize the absolute necessity of radical self-denial and decisive action against anything that causes one to stumble into sin. The theological significance of μονόφθαλμος lies in its powerful illustration of the gravity of sin, the call to radical purity and uncompromising commitment to God, and the supreme value of eternal life. Jesus' use of this term serves as a vivid, shocking, and unforgettable spiritual injunction to ruthlessly eradicate all sources of sin from one's life, prioritizing spiritual integrity above all else.
TRV