Decoder Terminal
SINGLENESS OF HEART
UNIFIED INTENT — NO DIVIDED LOYALTIES
CONDITIONSpecs
antonym
Eye-service, duplicity, double-mindedness
greek term
ἁπλότης — singleness, simplicity, sincerity
jesus teaching
Matthew 6:22 — the single eye
practical meaning
No gap between observed and unobserved behavior
Intelligence Brief
Bible Dictionary: 'Haplotes' means singleness, simplicity, or sincerity — the opposite of duplicity or double-mindedness. A 'single' heart has one master, one motive, one audience. Paul contrasts this with 'eye-service' (v.6) — the split heart that performs differently when watched versus unwatched. Historical Context: Slaves in Roman households constantly navigated survival through strategic compliance — appearing obedient while harboring resentment or working only when supervised. Paul calls for something radical: genuine interior transformation where the work itself becomes worship, eliminating the gap between public performance and private reality. Scarlet Thread: Jesus taught that the eye is the lamp of the body — if single (haplous), the whole body is full of light (Matthew 6:22). The undivided heart serves one Master. Christ Himself had perfect singleness of purpose: 'I do always those things that please Him' (John 8:29).
Scripture References