Matthew 6.22,23 Thine Eye Be Single and Treasures in Heaven Stored Up

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be SINGLE, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great that darkness!" (Matt. 6.22,23)

v.22 The function of each member is for the whole body’s benefit; therefore each member also represents the body. If a man is blind in the eyes, he is blind in the body, he is a blind man.

"Single"—Though there are two eyes, both focus on the same object at one time; otherwise the vision will not be exact.

Some believers think of laying up treasures entirely on earth, but they feel uneasy in their heart; yet they find it impossible to wholly lay up treasures in heaven. Consequently, they try to do a little of both, causing them to lose spiritual sight. What the Lord shows us here is that we cannot gain both worlds.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (v.21).

Apprehensive lest people might not understand His speech in verse 21, our Lord uses the word in verse 22 to explain the word just spoken: if the eye is not single the heart is divided, and thus there will be no light. "Light" is to make manifest everything (Eph. 5.13) so that we may see clearly.

"But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light" (Eph. 5.13).

"Full of light" means to be filled with the knowledge of the thing manifested—in other words, spiritual sight, vision or discernment. This enables people to see accurately as to what is the way of the cross, which is a strait or narrow way.