Charles Ellicott Commentary


Charles Ellicott Commentary
"And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell." — Matthew 5:30 (ASV)
If your right hand offends you — The repetition of the same warning has, in part, the emphasis of iteration, but it also points to a distinct danger.
Not only the senses, through which we receive impressions, but also the gifts and energies that result in action, may become temptations to evil. In that case, if the choice must be made, it would be better to forfeit them. The true remedy, of course, is found in directing the will so that the eye and hand may each do their work in obedience to the law of righteousness.