The Appearance Of Evil
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." (Eph. 5:22.) There is some confusion, much misunderstanding, and many misapplications regarding this pasage today. It includes more than what many people see on the surface. Some of the words in our language are different in meaning than when the Bible was translated, and the word "appearance" is one of them.
Eidous is the Greek word used here for "appearance" and is better translated, "form". Berry's lexicon defines it, "Species or kind." So the word in our language today does not mean the same as it does in this passage. Properly, it means the actual sin, not the thing that "looks like sin." Ponaros is the original word used for "evil" in this verse. It properly means "wicked deeds", as defined by Thayer again. George Ricker Berry says that putting the article (the) before the word means "the evil one, or the devil." Hence evil here means simply the actual sin that originated with Satan. Apeko is the original word for "abstain" in this scripture. It means, "To hold one's self off, abstain," Thayer. The word is used again in I Thess. 4:3, which says, ". . . that ye should abstain from fornication. Webster, in the dictionary says the word "abstain" means "to refrain, to keep away from."
Let us sum it up now. Have nothing to do with all kinds of wicked deeds that come from the devil. That is what the scholars say this verse means.
The common interpretation of this verse is, "anything that looks like sin or would lead to sin." Actually, this is not the meaning, although we might grant that it would include this type of thing. For if a thing looked like sin, (which would mean one did not know,) and he partook of that action, then he would be committing a sin even if the thing was not a sin within itself. The apostle Paul said, "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: For whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Rom. 14:23.) If one does not think a thing to be right because it looks like it might be evil, then let him not do it. Paul again says, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (2 Thess. 5:22.) If there is any doubt then about any subject, the object is to prove all things to be either right or wrong. Other scripture in the Bible must be found to prove a thing particularly, and under certain circumstances, to be wrong, to be of any value to the Christian. This verse proves nothing wrong or evil, but just says to abstain from all kinds of evil. Whether a thing is evil or not depends on what the other scriptures relate. Prove all things!
To say the meaning of this scripture is "a thing that could lead to sin," is wholly without foundation. For eating might lead one to eat too much, thereby sinning. Taking off a suit coat when too warm, might lead to taking off too many clothes, which would be sin. Drinking wine for medicine (I Tim. 5:23), might lead one to drink to excess, thus sinning. Opening one's eyes to see, might let him behold a woman in short shorts, rolled up. This would be sin. If this interpretation were correct, then it would mean that we are not to eat, wear anything less than a suit, take no wine for medicine, close our eyes all the time, and anything else of the nature. Sin can be made out of anything one wishes, but a thing may be pure within itself. (Rom. 14:20.)
Too, we might add, that if we cause someone else to stumble by our actions, we ought not to do that thing. `All things indeed are pure: but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence." (Rom. 14:20.) Paul's admonition is good to us today also. "Abstain from every form of evil." (R. S. V.)