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Preface
Based on personal discussions and issues with friends lately and over the years.
R.T. France provides the opinion that the 'Sermon on the Mount' for which this section is a part, is a series on discipleship. France (1985: 105). Much of it original to Matthew but approximately half of it parallelled in Luke but not always identical in form. France (1985: 105). H.L. Ellison states there is no reason to believe that all the teachings were done at once and that Jesus did not repeat them and sometimes with variation. Ellison (1986: 1124).
Matthew 5: 27-30 English Standard Version
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
France reasons the seventh commandment does not exist to prohibit a natural sexual attraction (p.121) but rather the desire for 'an illicit relationship'. France (1985: 121).
ἐπιθυμῆσαι (to desire) from verse 28. From Marshall.
28 ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι πᾶς ὁ βλέπων γυναῖκα πρὸς τὸ ἐπιθυμῆσαι αὐτὴν ἤδη ἐμοίχευσεν
But I tell you that everyone seeing a woman with a view to desire (her) already committed adultery with
αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
her in the heart of him.
France explains Jesus equates such a lustful attitude with 'implicit theft' (p. 121). If Jesus was more so concentrating on the greater sin of adultery as opposed to the lessor sin of fornication (where no married person is concerned) he was still in no way condoning the lessor sin. Ellison (1986: 1124: 1125).
Jesus Christ was using metaphorical, figurative language concerning the eye and the hand in this context. France (1985: 121: 122). One eye and one hand should be metaphorically, figuratively eliminated from the human body if this led to the end of lust. France (1985: 121: 122). This 'self-mutilation is not to be taken literally' (p. 122). The key here is an avoidance of temptation that will involve sacrifice, a changing philosophy, thought pattern and habits.
Theologically and philosophically these concepts can be further connected to 1 Corinthians 7 where it is stated by the Apostle Paul in verse 2:
1 Corinthians 7: 2 English Standard Version
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
In Matthew 5 there are theologically and also philosophically concepts that can be related and avoidance of sinful practices that rightly need to be exercised from a Christian's life. However it can be reasoned from the Epistle that it would be Biblical to attempt via the Holy Spirit to find someone in Christ of spiritual, intellectual and physical compatibility, in modern terms of course. This must be done wisely with more of an appeal to spiritual concerns and overall compatibility as opposed to assuming social rules for example, although important in society, the family, and the Church, that may simply and likely solve the issue. This more comprehensive approach too would also serve as a counter to what is being discussed as sin in Matthew 5.
Therefore, there would be both negative and positive active components related to avoiding the sin discussed in Matthew 5 and Jesus' teachings.
ELLISON, H.L. (1986) ‘Matthew’, in F.F. Bruce (ed.), The International Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
FRANCE, R.T. (1985) Matthew, Grand Rapids, IVP, Eerdmans.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
