Matthew 7:3

Wednesday, 29 January 2025

 

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3

 

“And why you see the chip, the ‘in the eye’ of your brother, and in your eye, a beam not you examine?” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the standard that is being used by a person in judgment will be returned to him in his own judgment, and the measure one uses will be measured back to that person. He now continues with, “And why you see the chip, the ‘in the eye’ of your brother.”

 

Here, He uses the word karphos, a chip. HELPS Word Studies defines it as “something dry and light; a ‘chip or splinter, of the same material with the beam.’” It is derived from karphó, to dry or wither up. It is a dried piece of wood that has separated from a larger piece.

 

One can think of the pile of wood left behind as a chainsaw cuts. They are teeny weeny little chips that dry almost immediately as they fly out behind the saw. Someone using a chainsaw might get hundreds of them in their eye during a regular workday. Anyone working around the sawman is bound to get them in their own eyes as well.

 

Jesus uses such a little thing as an example. Someone might see another person with an itty-bitty chip in his eye and say, “Hey, you have something in your eye.” At the same time, however, Jesus says, “and in your eye, a beam not you examine?”

 

Jesus uses the word dokos, HELPS Word Studies defines this as, “a large beam (joist) of wood; ‘a beam of timber’ (Abbott-Smith); ‘a log on which planks in the house rest (as in the papyri); joist, rafter, plank (Moffatt); a pole sticking out grotesquely.’”

 

As for the word translated as “examine,” it is katanoeó. Again, HELPS Word Studies provides clarity to its intended meaning, saying, “‘properly, to think from up to down, to a conclusion; to consider exactly, attentively (decisively); to concentrate by fixing one’s thinking’ ‘to perceive clearly’ (kata, intensive), ‘to understand fully, consider closely.’”

 

One can see that the word “examine,” suits the intent well. The guy is standing there with a plank the size of Montana hanging out of his eye while being upset about a bit of sawdust in the other guy’s eye.

 

The intended meaning from Jesus is that the person is out judging others without examining himself. He has a major fault in his life such as being addicted to pornography, and yet, he rebukes someone else who notices a beautiful lady walking down the street. He is a total hypocrite.

 

Life application: People often take things to unintended extremes in relation to the Bible. They may read a passage in the Bible about drinking wine that is negative in its portrayal of the subject matter, such as Proverbs 23:29-35. In reading that, and tearing the intent of the passage out of its proper context, he decides that any drinking of alcohol is wrong and condemns anyone who has a glass of wine.

 

But the Bible never teaches such a thing. In fact, the exact opposite can be easily discerned from a short study of the subject. Likewise, a person may have been saved from a life of alcohol addiction. When he is freed from it, he immediately goes about condemning everyone who has no problem with drinking.

 

Someone may have had a problem with pornography. In being cured of it, he decides all women should walk around with baggy plain dresses and wear bonnets. The next thing you know, an entire denomination is walking around doing just that.

 

But the Bible never speaks of such things. In fact, the beauty of women is particularly noted several times in Scripture, such as with Rebekah, Rachel, etc. An entire book, The Song of Solomon, addresses the beauty of a woman numerous times. Just because one person has a stumbling block in his life, it is inappropriate that he forces his new mores upon everyone else.

 

Be sure that when you hear a sermon or study on such an issue, you check to see if what the instruction taught is correct or not. Otherwise, you may be placing yourself under a bondage that the Bible never imposes on God’s people. Be wise, be discerning, and check what you hear. It is your walk with the Lord. Don’t be intimidated into something that is unbiblical.

 

Lord God, we are so thankful to You for Your word that guides us as we walk through this world. May we direct our feet according to what it says. When we hear something that is given to instruct us in Your word, may we be responsible enough to check out what we hear before we run with it. Help us in this, O God. Amen.