When thine eye is single, &c.— That they might understand his parable, and be excited to make a proper improvement of the noble faculty, or power, whose use he had been describing, our Lord puts them in mind that the intention or will performs for the soul of man the office which the eye does for the body. See on Matthew 6:22. Take heed, says he, therefore, that the light which is in thee be not darkness. "Keep thy intention, through divine grace, as free as possible from the influence of prejudice, pride, revenge, lust, covetousness, and other evil passions; for they will hatch swarms of vain and foolish thoughts, by which thy will would be perverted, and the light which is in thee be turned into darkness. But if thy whole body be full of light, Luke 11:36. If thy mind be so completely enlightened by the Spirit of God, that no evil passion or affection interrupts the emanations of its light in any degree, all the faculties of thy soul shall be as much enlightened, enlivened, and assisted, as the members of the body are, when the bright shining of a candle gives thee light, and puts thee in a capacity of using them." Thus, comparing the direction of our will or intention to the shining of a candle, Jesus shewed, that by the parable of a lighted candle, he had intended to explain wherein the proper use of all the light bestowed upon us, consists.
Related Commentaries of Luke 11:34
Luke 11:34-36
34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.
36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.