Matthew 18:9
Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
وَإنْ كَانَتْ عَينُكَ تَدْفَعُكَ إلَى الخَطِيَّةِ، فَاقلَعْهَا وَألقِهَا بَعِيدًا عَنْكَ! فَإنَّهُ مِنَ الأفضَلِ أنْ تَدْخُلَ الحَيَاةَ بِعَينٍ وَاحِدَةٍ، مِنْ أنْ يَكُونَ لَكَ عَينَانِ اثْنَتَانِ وَتُلْقَى إلَى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ.»
What Does This Mean?
Jesus is speaking in this verse and he says that if something causes you to sin, it's better to remove or get rid of it than to keep it and risk going to hell. The key message is about the importance of taking radical steps to avoid sin.
Explained for Children
Imagine your favorite toy makes you want to fight with your brother every time you play with it. Jesus says it might be best to give that toy away so you can stay friends, even if giving it up seems hard at first.
Historical Background
Matthew wrote this verse around 80-90 AD for the Jewish-Christian community in Palestine. The cultural context was one where Jewish law and tradition heavily influenced daily life and moral decisions.
Living It Out Today
In today's world, if your phone or a certain app is causing you to make bad choices or waste time, it might be better to delete it or limit its use rather than risk losing focus on what really matters in life.
Topics
sinsalvationdecision-makingself-disciplinemoralitypersonal sacrifice
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jesus really want us to pluck out our eyes?
No, the verse uses a metaphor. It means that if something is causing you to sin, it's better to remove or give up that thing rather than keep it and risk going to hell.
What kind of things should I consider removing in my life?
Think about things that lead you into sin or distract from your spiritual growth. This could be certain habits, relationships, or possessions that harm your walk with God.
Is this verse only for serious sins like murder or stealing?
This verse applies to all types of sins. Even minor things can lead us astray if they become habitual and are causing spiritual damage.
What does it mean by 'entering into life with one eye'?
It means that even if you have to make difficult sacrifices, like giving up something important to avoid sin, the reward of eternal life is worth more than anything else in this world.