Lexical Summary haplous: Single, clear, sincere, sound Original Word: ἁπλοῦς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance single. Probably from a (as a particle of union) and the base of pleko; properly, folded together, i.e. Single (figuratively, clear) -- single. see GREEK a see GREEK pleko HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 573 haploús (haploós) – properly, unfolded, single – literally, "without folds" (J. Thayer), referring to a single (undivided) focus, i.e. without a (secret) "double agenda" which prevents an over-complicated life (becoming needlessly distracted). See 572 (haplotēs). [573 (haploús) is the antonym of the Greek term diplous meaning, "double." MM notes in the papyri that 573 (haploús) likewise means, "simple" (uncompounded, single).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a cop. prefix) and perhaps ploos Definition simple, single NASB Translation clear (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 573: ἁπλοῦςἁπλοῦς, ἁπλῆ, ἁπλουν (contracted from ἁπλῶς, ἁπλοη, ἁπλων) (from Aeschylus down), simple, single (in which there is nothing complicated or confused; without folds (cf. Trench, § lvi.)); whole; of the eye, good, fulfilling its office, sound: Matthew 6:22; Luke 11:34 — (others contend that the moral sense of the word is the only sense lexically warranted; cf. Test xii. Patr. test. Isach. § 3οὐ κατελάλησα τίνος, etc. πορευόμενος ἐν ἁπλότητι ὀφθαλμῶν, ibid. § 4πάντα ὁρᾷ ἐν ἁπλότητι, μή ἐπιδεχόμενος ὀφθαλμοῖς πονηρίας ἀπό τῆς πλάνης τοῦ κόσμου; yet cf. Fritzsche on Romans 12:8). Topical Lexicon Meaning in Context The adjective ἁπλοῦς describes that which is single, undivided, uncomplicated and, by extension, generous and morally sound. In the two New Testament occurrences the term modifies “eye,” portraying a spiritual organ that is free from duplicity and therefore capable of receiving and transmitting light. Biblical Usage Matthew 6:22 and Luke 11:34 place ἁπλοῦς at the heart of Jesus’ teaching on discipleship. Both passages present a pair of contrasting eyes: one ἁπλοῦς (healthy, single-minded) and one πονηρός (evil, diseased). The eye functions as “the lamp of the body.” When it is ἁπλοῦς, light pervades the entire person; when it is corrupt, darkness reigns. Matthew 6:22: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” Luke 11:34: “Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness.” Context in the Sermon on the Mount The statement in Matthew is framed by two paragraphs that treat treasures (Matthew 6:19-21) and masters (Matthew 6:24). A ἁπλοῦς eye therefore relates directly to the disciple’s relationship to possessions and to God. Jesus contrasts a single focus on heavenly treasure with the divided loyalties of “serving both God and money.” The morally clear eye sees God as supreme owner and regards earthly goods as stewardship tools rather than rival lords. Parallel Instruction in Luke In Luke 11, Jesus applies the imagery to the generation that demanded signs while ignoring the Light standing before them. A ἁπλοῦς eye symbolizes a readiness to receive revelation; its opposite signals stubborn unbelief. Luke extends the thought by urging listeners to examine whether “the light within you is not darkness” (Luke 11:35), emphasizing self-scrutiny. Old Testament Background Hebrew idiom often links the eye with moral character. An “evil eye” (ayin ra‘ah) describes greed or jealousy (Proverbs 23:6; 28:22), whereas a “good eye” (ayin tovah) depicts generosity (Proverbs 22:9). The Septuagint frequently renders these phrases with καλός or ἁγαθός, but the ethical association is identical: the eye reveals the heart’s posture toward neighbor and God. Related New Testament Themes Paul draws on the same word-group when he commends ἁπλότητα (simplicity, sincerity, generosity) in giving (2 Corinthians 8:2), speech (2 Corinthians 11:3) and obedience (Ephesians 6:5). James warns against the opposite trait, δίψυχος (double-minded) instability (James 1:8; 4:8). Together these texts develop a portrait of singleness that touches motive, devotion and stewardship. Theological Significance 1. Moral Integrity: ἁπλοῦς depicts the integrated life where what one sees, desires and does are harmonized under God’s rule. Practical and Ministry Applications • Personal Discipleship: Regular audit of motives—especially concerning money and ambition—guards the eye from becoming clouded. Historical Exegesis Early Christian writers linked ἁπλοῦς with the virtue of ἁπλότης—generous simplicity—which they saw embodied in the Jerusalem church’s sharing (Acts 2:46). Reformers stressed the word’s relevance to sola fide, arguing that faith must be “simple” and free from reliance on human works. Contemporary scholarship often focuses on the socio-economic implications, noting that singleness of vision undermines the idolatry of wealth. Summary ἁπλοῦς conveys a vision that is clear, generous and wholly fixed on God. Such an eye floods life with divine light, producing integrity, compassion and spiritual alertness. Darkness, by contrast, descends wherever double vision compromises loyalty to the Lord. Forms and Transliterations απλή απλους απλούς ἁπλοῦς απλώσης aplous haplous haploûsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 6:22 Adj-NMSGRK: ὀφθαλμός σου ἁπλοῦς ὅλον τὸ NAS: if your eye is clear, your whole body KJV: eye be single, thy whole INT: eye of you clear [the] whole Luke 11:34 Adj-NMS |