In many ways, the Bible has been a huge pain in the ass.
It sets the bar for morality too high, often leading most of us to regard its standards as anachronistic, delusional, and irrelevant to the demands of real life. And in the meantime, because we don’t understand the idioms of those times, we deprive ourselves of one of the finest repositories of the accumulated wisdom of the human race.
Case in point: Turn the other cheek. What are we supposed to do with that? Not exactly a “Go on, punk, make my day” kind of moment, right? Whenever someone tries to enact this teaching literally, they come across as looking naive, foolish, and weak. Hardly a viable strategy for making it in today’s world. We would rather quote Sean Connery in The Untouchables: “Never bring a knife to a gunfight,” which makes more sense than “If someone shoots you once, let them shoot you twice.”
So, either Jesus was hopelessly pacifistic or we’re simply not getting the idiom. What did he mean by “Turn the other cheek”? Well, in those days…
it wasn’t a call to passivity but an exhortation to respond to hostility with dignity and grace. It advocated for peaceful conflict resolution through de-escalation. When confronted with insults or provocations, we are expected to respond with kindness and empathy, because our actions just might catalyze a transformative change.
A lot more nuanced than “Go on, hit me again,” right?
Biblical idioms are akin to concealed treasures, awaiting discovery. They possess the potential to unlock profound spiritual insights and provide a more profound comprehension of the teachings embedded within the New Testament. Let us examine select examples and discern how these idiomatic expressions can enrich our spiritual lives and provide us with a deeper connection to the sacred text.
The Significance of Other Biblical Idioms
"Cut off Your Right Hand" and "Pluck out Your Right Eye": This means “Stop doing what you’re doing” and “Stop projecting your judgments onto people and situations.” In Hindu mythology, the right hand is the hand of giving. It’s what you “put your hand to.” To cut it off is to quit an unprofitable venture—to avoid the “sunk cost” syndrome and cut your losses. Your “right eye” is what you “have your eye on.” If your goal is beneath you, let it go.
"Camel through the Eye of a Needle": When confronted with life's seemingly insurmountable challenges, recall this idiom. It serves as a reminder that even the most formidable obstacles can be surmounted when we ask God for help. As it says in A Course In Miracles, “God knows no order of difficulty.” And Ralph Waldo Emerson said pretty much the same thing: “There is no great and small to the Mind that maketh all.”
Practical Application of Biblical Wisdom
Let us now breathe life into these idioms by considering practical scenarios where their wisdom can illuminate our paths:
"Turn the Other Cheek": Envision a heated disagreement with a colleague. Rather than responding with anger, pause and restate what he said in a way that tells him you understand. Witness how tensions dissipate and bridges are mended through this approach.
"Cut off Your Right Hand and Pluck out Your Right Eye": Knowing when to get out of a situation you’re invested in is different from actually doing it. If your career isn’t going anywhere, maybe it’s time for a new one.
"Camel through the Eye of a Needle": There was a gate in Jerusalem that was so small that for a camel to pass through it, it first had to be unloaded. Once on the other side, its pack was replaced and the caravan went on its way. Let’s say that you get a new job but it requires you to move to a new city. You must first offload the convenience of familiarity, endure the feeling of being dispossessed, and adopt your new home, owning it as you owned your former city.
Comprehending biblical idioms empowers us to gain a more profound insight into the wisdom nestled within the New Testament. These idioms are not mere vestiges of the past; they are timeless keys for understanding the human experience.
So, the next time you encounter one of these enigmatic idioms within the Bible, do not merely skim over it. Pause, reflect upon its deeper implications, and consider how it can elevate your spiritual journey and your daily practice. These ancient wisdom teachings await your exploration, and they may very well revolutionize your perception of the world. Here's to the pursuit of clarity, enlightenment, and embracing the profound beauty enshrined within biblical idioms.
This is very good Michael and thank you! The golden rule in the gospel of Matthew ch7 says the very well known words " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ". However these words lack real meaning in so much of the diseased culture in much of the western world if you do not at least like yourself, and are at peace with being human.