Question:
Please explain Mark 9:43–49. Will any person go through eternity with one eye or one hand?
Answer:
The text reads: “And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” (Mark 9:43-45).
As we understand, the meaning is this: Whatever character trait we may have, whatever talent of mind or body, however dear to us, or however seemingly a necessity to success in this life, if it causes us to stumble, cast it off. Better in this life to be deprived of an eye, hand, foot, or anything else as dear as these members rather than lose eternal life, where nothing shall be wanting, but all shall be perfect. For example, there are young men today who have a hand to pitch right and left, up and down curves, and slow and fastballs to baffle all batters. Say the ability of that hand sways the whole soul of the young man, becoming a stumbling block, skillful as it may be, in the path to eternal life. Now, it would be better for him to cut off that hand rather than pitch his soul to everlasting perdition on a curved ball. Our readers can supply similar instances concerning foot and eye. Things that are in themselves good become the worst of enemies if they hold us back from the better and the best.
