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INWARDS, INWARD PARTS.—1. The former of these expressions is frequently found in EV [Note: English Version.] (Ex. and Lv.), meaning the entrails or bowels of the animals to be sacrificed according to the Levitical institutions (Exo_29:13; Exo_29:22, Lev_3:3; Lev_3:9; Lev_3:14; Lev_4:8; Lev_4:11; Lev_7:3; Lev_8:18; Lev_8:21 etc.). The same idea is found in Gen_41:21, where EV [Note: English Version.] has ‘had eaten them up,’ and LXX [Note: Septuagint.] renders ‘came into their belly’ (see AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] which gives the alternative ‘had come to the inward parts of them’; cf. also 1Ki_17:21 AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] ). For the most part, however, the expression ‘inward parts’ is used in a metaphorical sense, to denote the contrast between the inward reality and the outward clothing of human character. Situated within the ‘inward parts’ is the capacity for wisdom (Job_38:36, see nevertheless EVm), truth (Psa_51:6), ethical knowledge, and moral renovation (Jer_31:33, where ‘inward parts’ is almost synonymous with ‘heart,’ cf. Pro_20:30). Here, too, lie hidden the springs of active wickedness (Psa_5:9), and deceitful language (Psa_62:4 AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] ). The power of deceiving as to character and motives comes from man’s inherent ability to secrete, within the profound depths of the ‘innermost parts,’ his daily thoughts (Pro_18:8; cf. Psa_64:6). At the same time, these hidden designs are as an open book, beneath the bright light of a lamp, to the Lord (Pro_20:27; cf., for a similar thought, Psa_26:2; Psa_7:9, Jer_11:20, Rev_2:23 etc.).
2. In the NT the expression is used only to denote the power of the hypocrites to deceive their fellow-men (Luk_11:39; cf. Mat_7:15; Mat_23:28). The curious phrase ‘give for alms those things which are within’ (Luk_11:41) may be taken as an incidental reference by Jesus to the necessity and the possibility of man’s inmost life being renewed and restored to a right relationship with God and men (cf. Isa_58:10). At least it is permissible to take the word rendered ‘the things which are within’ as equivalent to ‘the inward man,’ or ‘the inward parts’ (see Plummer, ICC [Note: CC International Critical Commentary.] , in loc.; cf. Mar_7:18 f., Luk_16:9). It is not enough to give alms mechanically; the gift must be accompanied by the spontaneous bestowal of the giver’s self, as it were, to the receiver.
J. R. Willis.