James Nisbet Commentary - Matthew 6:22 - 6:22

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James Nisbet Commentary - Matthew 6:22 - 6:22


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SINGLENESS OF EYE

‘The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.’

Mat_6:22

The finest organ of the body is the ‘eye.’ Therefore it has been made the allegory of spiritual things. The idea conveyed by a ‘single eye,’ appears to be threefold. First, clear, with no film; secondly, in opposition to double, seeing one object at a time; and thirdly, concentration, centred upon a focus. These three thoughts mainly go to make up the word ‘single’: distinctness, oneness, fixedness.

I. Distinctness.—What is it which corresponds in the spiritual life to a natural ‘eye’? Surely it is the faculty of the soul by which we perceive and by which we deal with things otherwise invisible. It is very nearly, but not quite, the same thing as faith, and all that is wanting is, that the ‘eye’ be ‘single,’—clear, simple, concentrated. Many things may give a dullness to the moral ‘light.’ If it be impaired by disuse, or if we accustom ourselves to look on things too bright, unrevealed mysteries, deep, hidden things, which belong to a higher condition of our being. But still more, things coming in between, veil and darken that higher vision. A worldly life is sure to do it. Much care will do it. Luxury will do it. But still more any wilful unbelief, or any strong prejudice. By such things your intelligence on Divine subjects will certainly grow cloudy.

II. Oneness.—Equally important is the habit of one great purpose. Why is the view which most of us have of spiritual things so poor, so shadowy, and so indiscriminate? We see double. We are trying to compass, at the same time, two things, which never lie in the same field of sight, the world and God. The consequence is—both are spoiled. He who would see truth, must look at truth only. He who would see Jesus, must gather his thoughts upon Jesus only. You must have your one point of religious perspective.

III. Fixedness.—And then upon that one object you must concentrate yourself. All the acquisitions of learning,—all you have of art and talent,—all power,—must bear upon that point. It must meet you in the morning, and the last thing at night. Your whole mind, affections, hopes, interests, must meet there. If you look away a little while, it is only to fix your ‘eye’ there the most decidedly and the most restfully. You converge your eternity upon God. Thus by clearness,—by oneness,—by force,—‘your eye is single.’

The Rev. James Vaughan.