This Months Subject: The Use and Abuse of the Various Members of the Body

From: Bible Student: Volume 3, 1883

• 13 min. read • grade level: 9

The subject worked out for this month is: The use and abuse of the various members of the body.

The scope of the subject was we think sufficiently indicated in the remarks made in the February number. “The work of the Class is to select out of the large number of passages where these subjects are spoken of, those only which directly illustrate or speak of the use and abuse of each member.” It is evident that by the former (use), is not intended every instance of the use of a member, as this would have included every instance in the Bible when a person spoke or walked, or indeed performed any of the ordinary actions of daily life, but only such cases where the use, as contrasted with the abuse, is indicated. Nor did the subject include the use made in Scripture of the words eye, hand, foot, &c., but only the use of the members themselves, either literal or figurative. A consideration of these points will, we hope, show some who have sent in, papers, why many of the passages they have quoted are not included in the result.

The Use of the Eye.

The eye in Scripture, we find from the papers sent in, is very generally spoken of as being directed to God, and is thus expressive of the attitude of the heart towards Him. The passages illustrating this are found in almost every book of the Bible, being especially numerous in the Psalms and Prophets, and they are thus too numerous to find a place in our printed result. As instances amongst many we may give the following where the eye is expressive of- a desire for guidance or help, 2 Chronicles 20:12¹²O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. (2 Chronicles 20:12); Psalms 121:1¹<<A Song of degrees.>> I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121:1)

confidence and trust, Psalms 5:3³My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalm 5:3).

expectation of blessing, Psalms 123:2²Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. (Psalm 123:2).

The eye of faith looks for

Salvation, Isaiah 45:22²²Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22); Micah 7:7⁷Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. (Micah 7:7).

Redemption, Luke 2:38³⁸And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:38).

The Savior, Philippians 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20).

Blessed hope of the appearing, Titus 2:13¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13).

A city (Old Testament saints), Hebrews 11 to.

The coining of the day of God, 2 Peter 3:12¹²Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:12).

New heavens and new earth, 2 Peter 3:13¹³Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:13).

The mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 21²¹Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 21).

The eye of faith looks at or on

The glory of the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:18¹⁸But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Unseen things, 2 Corinthians 4:18¹⁸While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18).

The things of others, Philippians 2:4⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:4) (expressive of desire for their welfare).

Jesus glorified, Hebrews 2:9⁹But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9).

Jesus the author and finisher of faith, Hebrews 12:2²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).

The eye is expressive of

Humility, Job 22:29²⁹When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person. (Job 22:29) (margin).

Sorrow, Job 17:7⁷Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. (Job 17:7); Lamentations 5:17¹⁷For this our heart is faint; for these things our eyes are dim. (Lamentations 5:17); John 11:35³⁵Jesus wept. (John 11:35).

Satisfaction, Psalms 92:11¹¹Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked that rise up against me. (Psalm 92:11).

Compassion, Proverbs 22:1¹A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. (Proverbs 22:1).

Liberality, Proverbs 22:9⁹He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9).

Sympathy, Lamentations 1:16¹⁶For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed. (Lamentations 1:16).

Those who used their eyes in direct obedience to a divine command:

Abraham, Genesis 13:14Balaam, Numbers 22:31.

Hagar, Genesis 21:19.

Moses, Deuteronomy 3:27.

Jacob, Genesis 31:12

A young man, 2 Kings 6:17

The king of Syria’s host, 2 Kings 6:20.

The Abuse of the Eye.

The eye is variously used in Scripture in a bad sense as expressing Pride, Psalms 18:27; 101²⁷For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. (Psalm 18:27)
¹⁹For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; (Psalm 102:19). 5; Proverbs 6:17;21¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:17)
¹⁷He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. (Proverbs 21:17). 4; 30: 13; Isaiah 2:11; 5:15; 10:12¹¹The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:11)
¹⁵And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: (Isaiah 5:15)
¹²Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. (Isaiah 10:12).

Greed, Prov, 27:20; Ecclesiastes 1:8;4⁸All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. (Ecclesiastes 1:8)
⁸There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. (Ecclesiastes 4:8). 8.

Wantonness, Isaiah 3:16¹⁶Moreover the Lord saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: (Isaiah 3:16).

Cunning (winking) Job 15:12¹²Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at, (Job 15:12); Psalms 35:19¹⁹Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. (Psalm 35:19); Proverbs 6:53; 10:10.

Mockery, Proverbs 30:17¹⁷The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. (Proverbs 30:17).

Lust, Job 24:55; Proverbs 23:33³³Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. (Proverbs 23:33); Matthew 5:28²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28); 2 Peter 2:14¹⁴Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: (2 Peter 2:14); John 2:16¹⁶And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (John 2:16).

Evil generally, Deuteronomy 15:9⁹Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. (Deuteronomy 15:9); Proverbs 23:6⁶Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: (Proverbs 23:6); Matthew 20:15¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? (Matthew 20:15).

Half-hearted service (eye service) Ephesians 6:6⁶Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; (Ephesians 6:6); Colossians 3:22²²Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22).

Those who used their eyes improperly

Eve, Genesis 3:6⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6).

Sons of God, Genesis 6:2²That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (Genesis 6:2).

Lot, Genesis 13 to (contrast with Abraham, verse 14).

Lot’s wife, Genesis 19:26²⁶But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26) (compare Luke 9:62⁶²And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62).)

Potiphar’s wife, Genesis 39:7⁷And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. (Genesis 39:7)).

Achan, Josh. 7:21²¹When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. (Joshua 7:21).

Ahaz, 2 Kings 16:10¹⁰And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof. (2 Kings 16:10); see Deuteronomy 4:19¹⁹And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. (Deuteronomy 4:19), & Job 31:26,27²⁶If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; ²⁷And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: (Job 31:26‑27).

Haman—(envy), Esther 5:53.

Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 4:29,30²⁹At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon. ³⁰The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? (Daniel 4:29‑30).

Peter, Matthew 14:30³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30).

We use our eyes wrongly when we

Look at others’ faults and overlook our own, Matthew 7:3-5³And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ⁵Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3‑5). Look on our own things and not on the things of others, Philippians 2:4⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (Philippians 2:4).

An abuse of the eye is when it refuses to look at what God puts before it. See Isaiah 6:9⁹And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (Isaiah 6:9); Jeremiah 5:21²¹Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: (Jeremiah 5:21); Ezekiel 12:2²Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. (Ezekiel 12:2); Matthew 13:13,14¹³Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. ¹⁴And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (Matthew 13:13‑14); John 12:40⁴⁰He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (John 12:40); Acts 28:27²⁷For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Acts 28:27); 2 Corinthians 4:4⁴In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The Use of the Hand.

The hand is said to be

Lifted up to God, as taking an oath, by Abraham, Genesis 14:22²²And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, (Genesis 14:22).

Stretched out in blessing, by Jacob, Genesis 48:14¹⁴And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn. (Genesis 48:14); by Aaron, Leviticus 9:22²²And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. (Leviticus 9:22).

Spread abroad before the Lord in prayer, by Moses, Exodus 9:29²⁹And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord's. (Exodus 9:29).

Held up in supplication, by Moses, Exodus 17:11¹¹And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. (Exodus 17:11); Psalms 28:2²Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. (Psalm 28:2).

Laid upon the head of an offering, for identification, Leviticus 1:4⁴And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4).

Washed in token of innocence, Deuteronomy 21:6⁶And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: (Deuteronomy 21:6); Matthew 27:24²⁴When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. (Matthew 27:24).

“Ye yourselves know that these hands have ministered unto my necessities,” Acts 20:34³⁴Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. (Acts 20:34).

“Let him labor working with his hands the thing that is good,” Ephesians 4:28²⁸Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (Ephesians 4:28).

The Abuse of the Hand.

Used for murder,

By Cain, Genesis 4:8⁸And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. (Genesis 4:8).

By Joab, 2 Samuel 20:9, 10⁹And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. ¹⁰But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. (2 Samuel 20:9‑10).

By Herod, Acts 12:1¹Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. (Acts 12:1).

“Hands that shed innocent blood are an abomination to the Lord,” Proverbs 6:17¹⁷A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, (Proverbs 6:17); Isaiah 1:15¹⁵And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:15).

“The Son of Man shall be betrayed into the hands of men and they shall kill him,” Matthew 17:22²²And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: (Matthew 17:22).

Used in violence,

By Sheba, against David, 2 Samuel 20:21²¹The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. (2 Samuel 20:21).

By Haman, against the Jews, Esther 3:8,9⁸And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. ⁹If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. (Esther 3:8‑9).

By the Jews, against the Lord, Matthew 26:50⁵⁰And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. (Matthew 26:50).

By the chief priests, &c., against the apostles, Acts 4:3³And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. (Acts 4:3).

By Herod, against John, Matthew 14:3³For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. (Matthew 14:3).

By Peter, against the servant of the high priest, Matthew 26:51⁵¹And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. (Matthew 26:51).

Used in deceit, “The balances of deceit are in his hands,” Hosea 12:7⁷He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. (Hosea 12:7). “They hold fast deceit,” Jeremiah 8:5⁵Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (Jeremiah 8:5).

“(Not) handling the word of God deceitfully,” 2 Corinthians 4:2²But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. (2 Corinthians 4:2). Used to make idols, Psalms 115:4⁴Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. (Psalm 115:4); Acts 7:41;19⁴¹And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. (Acts 7:41)
⁴¹And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:41). 26.

Used to denote slothfulness,

“Folding of the hands to sleep,” Proverbs 6:10¹⁰Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: (Proverbs 6:10).

“A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,” Proverbs 19:24²⁴A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. (Proverbs 19:24).

Used generally for evil, Lamentations 4:10¹⁰The hands of the pitiful women have sodden their own children: they were their meat in the destruction of the daughter of my people. (Lamentations 4:10); Micah 7:3³That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. (Micah 7:3); Matthew 5:30³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:30).

“A slack hand,” Proverbs 10:4⁴He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. (Proverbs 10:4).

“Thou shalt not put thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness,” Exodus 23:1¹Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Exodus 23:1).

“Thou shalt not shut thine hand from thy poor brother,” Deuteronomy 15:7⁷If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: (Deuteronomy 15:7).

The Use of the Feet.

The word “walk” is used to denote the character of a man’s conduct in the sight of God; thus amongst others, the following are said to have walked before God, or in His ways:

Enoch, Noah, Abraham, David, Josiah, Jehoshaphat.

Exhortations to walk before God, in His law, the blessings conditional on so doing, and the judgments that would follow, are found abundantly in the Old Testament.

A selection of passages denoting the right use of the feet-Feet set in a large room, Psalms 31:8⁸And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. (Psalm 31:8).

Feet set on a rock—the goings established, Psalms 40:2²He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. (Psalm 40:2).

Feet kept, 1 Samuel 2:9⁹He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. (1 Samuel 2:9).

Feet turned unto God’s testimonies, Psalms 119:59⁵⁹I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. (Psalm 119:59).

Feet removed from evil, Proverbs 4:27²⁷Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:27).

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, Ephesians 6:15¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15).

Feet of him that bringeth good tidings, Isaiah 52:7⁷How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Isaiah 52:7).

Feet guided into the way of peace, Luke 1:79⁷⁹To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79).

Feet standing in an even place, Psalms 26:12¹²My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12).

Walking in integrity, Psalms 26

Walking in God’s truth, Psalms 86

Walking in the light of His countenance, Psalms 89:15¹⁵Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. (Psalm 89:15).