Topical Bible: Light: Communicated to the Body Through the Eye

◄ Light: Communicated to the Body Through the Eye ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, light is often used metaphorically to represent truth, knowledge, and divine presence. The physical process by which light enters the body through the eye serves as a profound illustration of spiritual truths found throughout Scripture.

Biblical References to Light and the Eye

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of light to convey spiritual enlightenment and understanding. In Matthew 6:22-23 , Jesus teaches, "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Here, the eye is depicted as the conduit through which light enters the body, symbolizing the reception of spiritual truth and moral clarity.

The Eye as a Symbol of Perception

The eye, as the organ of sight, is a powerful symbol of perception and discernment. Proverbs 20:12 states, "Ears that hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both." This verse underscores the divine creation of the senses, emphasizing their role in receiving and processing both physical and spiritual realities. The eye's ability to perceive light is paralleled with the heart's ability to perceive truth.

Spiritual Enlightenment and Moral Clarity

The concept of light entering through the eye is further explored in Ephesians 1:18 , where Paul prays, "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Here, the "eyes of the heart" symbolize an inner vision that perceives spiritual truths, suggesting that just as physical light illuminates the body, spiritual light illuminates the soul.

Light as Divine Revelation

Throughout Scripture, light is associated with God's presence and revelation. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Word of God is likened to light, guiding believers in their spiritual journey. This metaphor highlights the transformative power of divine revelation, which enters the believer's life much like light enters through the eye, bringing clarity and direction.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The relationship between light and the eye also carries moral and ethical implications. In John 3:19-21 , Jesus explains, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever practices the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God." This passage contrasts the acceptance of light with the rejection of it, illustrating the moral choices individuals make in response to divine truth.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of light communicated to the body through the eye serves as a rich metaphor for understanding spiritual perception and enlightenment. Through the eye, light not only illuminates the physical world but also symbolizes the reception of divine truth, guiding believers in their walk with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart: and a good report makes the bones fat.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:22
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Beatific vision.
... great power of vision which was temporarily communicated to the ... of the eye of the
spiritual body shall reach ... Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the beatific vision.htm

section v.
... thousand years, [112] or imagine the secret communicated to a ... of either Medium to
convey, or light to prepare ... vitrification, or a reduction of a body into glass ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section v.htm

Perpetual Youth
... of hoping for much more here, and when the light of youth ... things will then be fully
and clearly communicated to the spirit, for that glorious body will be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/perpetual youth.htm

xxxvi.
... bring thy gift to the altar"; or gifts communicated to others ... They are to the Church
what light and fuel are to ... are laid upon the various members of the body. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvi.htm

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
... What he witnessed could be but very partially communicated. ... The saints carry about
in them a "body of death." While this continues ... But the end will be light. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon v abrams horror of.htm

Many and One
... spectrum breaks up the pure white light must be ... of possible diversities is the one
body nourished, for ... such abiding are recipients of a communicated life are ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/many and one.htm

Edwards -- Spiritual Light
... it is too high and excellent to be communicated by such ... it as wholly destitute of,
as a dead body is of ... This light gives a view of those that are immensely the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/edwards spiritual light.htm

The Goal of Progress
... be turned to Him who is the Light of all ... His servants, and when all this is communicated
to them the ... complete than any of these, the one body, which corresponds ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the goal of progress.htm

The Unrevealed Future of the Sons of God
... it has not been manifested what is the body of glory ... You can only know facts when
the facts are communicated. ... to Him which will be printed in light upon their ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the unrevealed future of the.htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up ... sanctified, through the offering
up of the body of Jesus ... done in and by that, should be communicated to all ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm