The Light of the Eyes

The instruction of Matthew 6:22 and 23 is designed to guide kingdom citizens in the path of righteousness. It follows in the context of laying up of treasures (vv. 19–22). What one believes determines what one treasures: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV).

The eye is an amazing instrument, providing sight to the body. Along with hearing and touch, eyes allow a person to live outside his own mind. Here, Jesus likens the eye to a lamp (a light source). In the physical realm, the eye is more like a window through which light passes. Thus, we conclude that Jesus is using the eye metaphorically as the means of understanding spiritual truth. If one’s spiritual eye functions properly—is healthy or single—correctly fulfilling its office, the body is “full of light,” spiritual truth. As the eye allows the body to maneuver properly in its environment, so the single eye provides light to one’s spiritual path. However, if the eye is bad (vision impaired), the body’s freedom of movement is hampered.

 Again, single the eye or clear vision is used here symbolically of the ability to maneuver wisely in the spiritual realm, guided and directed by truth in the mind. The Bible calls this wisdom: “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble” (Proverbs 4:11, 12). A single eye has but one objective, the pleasing and glorifying of God in the way of the righteousness. “My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion. ... Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble” (Proverbs 3:21, 23).

The word single has the idea of simplicity, as used by Paul in 2 Corinthians: “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity [a variation of the term in Matthew 6:22] and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God” (1:12). We need a single eye—clear vision—of what God regards as most valuable, the heavenly treasure. The heavenly treasure is “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Clear vision also shows the way forward to obtain the prize: “That I may gain Christ and be found in him” (Philippians 3:9). The treasure is Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

The single eye with understanding guided by heavenly wisdom is important to discern what is essential between the things that differ. So much is thrown at us, and it is a constant battle to distinguish what is good from what is bad.  More importantly, the greater discernment is between what is good and what is best—the will of God. As Paul prayed for the Philippian church, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11).