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2192.—Members of What Body?
Do Matt. 5:29, 30 and Mark 9:43, 45, 47 mean members of the natural body of flesh, or do they refer to members of the "old man," "affections and lusts" (Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5), or members of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:5)? If it means "putting off" the old man with his deeds, would not the memory of the works of the flesh such as are referred to in Gal. 5:19-21, prey upon the soul or mind or spirit, and in that way be symbolized by the "worm" (not worms) preying upon the natural body?
The lesson will well apply both to the individual and to the church. Whatever there may be in our life, however necessary it may seem to our success, from a worldly point of view, if it causes us to stumble or offend, if it hinders us in God's work, cut it off. Better to pass thru this life in a seemingly crippled condition rather than to be eternally destroyed and retain what the natural man may most prize. There are many able, bright men who are nominally connected with the work of God, but who are so worldly, whose influence is so detrimental to God's work, that they prove positive stumbling-blocks to sinners. They may be able to teach, to exhort, they may be shrewd business advisers and give liberally for the support of church interests, yet are loads which sink the church. Because of natural ability they may seem as necessary as the right hand and right eye, and without them the church would seem crippled, but with a constantly deteriorating moral influence, the church is better if they are cut off or plucked out. The Christian church, the church of Christ, can bear any other load better than sin. The "worm" of Mark 9 has direct reference to the Valley of Hinnom, or Gehenna. It is used in the singular in a generic sense, including all such refuse-devouring vermin. The man who continually goes on in sin finds a continually hardening conscience, which disturbs him less and less as the time passes.