Inward Parts Inwards

Inward Parts Inwards

Inwards, Inward Parts. 1. The former of these expressions is frequently found in Ev [Note: English Version.] (Ex. and Lv.), meaning the entrails or bowels of the animals to be sacrificed according to the Levitical institutions (  Exodus 29:13;   Exodus 29:22 ,   Leviticus 3:3;   Leviticus 3:9;   Leviticus 3:14;   Leviticus 4:8;   Leviticus 4:11;   Leviticus 7:3;   Leviticus 8:18;   Leviticus 8:21 etc.). The same idea is found in   Genesis 41:21 , where Ev [Note: English Version.] has ‘had eaten them up,’ and Lxx [Note: Septuagint.] renders ‘came into their belly’ (see AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] which gives the alternative ‘had come to the inward parts of them’; cf. also   1 Kings 17:21 AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] ). For the most part, however, the expression ‘inward parts’ is used in a metaphorical sense, to denote the contrast between the inward reality and the outward clothing of human character. Situated within the ‘inward parts’ is the capacity for wisdom (  Job 38:36 , see nevertheless EVm), truth (  Psalms 51:6 ), ethical knowledge, and moral renovation (  Jeremiah 31:33 , where ‘inward parts’ is almost synonymous with ‘heart,’ cf.   Proverbs 20:30 ). Here, too, lie hidden the springs of active wickedness (  Psalms 5:9 ), and deceitful language (  Psalms 62:4 AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] ). The power of deceiving as to character and motives comes from man’s inherent ability to secrete, within the profound depths of the ‘innermost parts,’ his daily thoughts (  Proverbs 18:8; cf.   Psalms 64:6 ). At the same time, these hidden designs are as an open book, beneath the bright light of a lamp, to the Lord (  Proverbs 20:27; cf., for a similar thought,   Psalms 26:2;   Psalms 7:9 ,   Jeremiah 11:20 ,   Revelation 2:23 etc.).

2. In the Nt the expression is used only to denote the power of the hypocrites to deceive their fellow-men (  Luke 11:39; cf.   Matthew 7:15;   Matthew 23:28 ). The curious phrase ‘give for alms those things which are within’ (  Luke 11:41 ) may be taken as an incidental reference by Jesus to the necessity and the possibility of man’s inmost life being renewed and restored to a right relationship with God and men (cf.   Isaiah 58:10 ). At least it is permissible to take the word rendered ‘the things which are within’ as equivalent to ‘the inward man,’ or ‘the inward parts’ (see Plummer, Icc [Note: Cc International Critical Commentary.] , in loc.  ; cf.   Mark 7:18 f.,   Luke 16:9 ). It is not enough to give alms mechanically; the gift must be accompanied by the spontaneous bestowal of the giver’s self, as it were, to the receiver.

J. R. Willis.