Question:
What do the members referred to in Matthew 18:8-9 as the “hand,” “foot,” and “eye” signify? Do they pertain to church membership or to the literal body? Additionally, if they refer to the literal body, should we understand that we should actually cut off the offending hand or foot, or pluck out the eye?
Answer:
In an individual sense, this principle applies to anything that we hold as dear as our hand, foot, or eye, especially if it causes us to stumble. Regardless of how valuable or essential it may seem for our success, if it leads us to stumble, we should remove it. If any part of our body were hopelessly diseased and could not function properly, we would cut it off to protect our overall health.
This principle also has a broader relevance to the church, which is viewed as the body of Christ. A member of the church may appear as essential as a hand, foot, or eye is to a person; however, if that member becomes a stumbling block—causing others to offend or leading them astray due to spiritual illness—then, after making reasonable efforts to correct and heal the situation, that member should be removed. See verses 16 and 17; 1 Corinthians 5:2, 11-13.
