The Beatitudes
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3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Poor in spirit,” as a virtue, must refer not to a poor quality of faith but to the acknowledgment of one’s spiritual powerlessness and bankruptcy apart from Christ
Referring to spiritual inadequacy without Christ.
“Poor in spirit,” as a virtue, must refer not to a poor quality of faith but to the acknowledgment of one’s spiritual powerlessness and bankruptcy apart from Christ
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 98). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mourning includes grief caused by both personal sin and loss and social evil and oppression.
It could refer to those who mourn over their personal sin or are currently enduring difficult times.
This does not refer to mourning because of the unwelcome or unpleasant change in life circumstances. It is the sorrow which one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is an active sharing of the world’s hurt and sin with Jesus. Therefore, it includes, not only sorrow for one’s own sin, but also sorrow because of the world’s appalling condition, it’s rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy. These mourners shall be comforted in the coming day when “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes” (). Believers do all their mourning in this life; for unbelievers, today’s grief is only a foretaste of eternal sorrow.
a day of comfort awaits them. This does not refer to mourning because of the vicissitudes of life. It is the sorrow which one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is an active sharing of the world’s hurt and sin with Jesus. Therefore, it includes, not only sorrow for one’s own sin, but also sorrow because of the world’s appalling condition, it’s rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy. These mourners shall be comforted in the coming day when “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes” (). Believers do all their mourning in this life; for unbelievers, today’s grief is only a foretaste of eternal sorrow.
it could refer to those who mourn over their personal sin or are currently enduring difficult times.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1216). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
God will comfort now in part and fully in the future. That Christian mourning does not outweigh happiness as the more dominant characteristic of the Christian life remains clear from .
Mourning includes grief caused by both personal sin and loss and social evil and oppression.
A “meek” person is not the “wallflower” we often think of when we use the word but one who is humble, gentle, and not aggressive.
The meek do not seek gain for themselves; instead, they hope in the Lord.
Meekness implies acceptance of one’s lowly position. The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.
Meekness implies acceptance of one’s lowly position. The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.
The meek do not seek gain for themselves; instead, they hope in the Lord.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1216). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
“Inherit the Earth” - A reference to , which foretells the destruction of evildoers (compare ), so that those who hope in Yahweh will live in peace.
The meek do not now inherit the earth; rather they inherit abuse and dispossession. But they will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
The meek do not now inherit the earth; rather they inherit abuse and dispossession. But they will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1216). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
11 But the humble will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
The meek do not now inherit the earth; rather they inherit abuse and dispossession. But they will literally inherit the earth when Christ, the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“hunger for righteousness” - A metaphor for moral uprightness.
A metaphor for moral uprightness.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
One who hungers (desire) to see God’s standards established and obeyed in every area of life
include a desire to see God’s standards established and obeyed in every area of life
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 100). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
These people have a passion for righteousness in their own lives; they long to see honesty, integrity, and justice in society; they look for practical holiness in the church. Like the people of whom Gamaliel Bradford wrote, they have “a thirst no earthly stream can satisfy, a hunger that must feed on Christ or die.”
These people have a passion for righteousness in their own lives; they long to see honesty, integrity, and justice in society; they look for practical holiness in the church. Like the people of whom Gamaliel Bradford wrote, they have “a thirst no earthly stream can satisfy, a hunger that must feed on Christ or die.”
These people will be abundantly satisfied in Christ’s coming kingdom: they shall be filled, for righteousness will reign and corruption will give way to the highest moral standards.
These people will be abundantly satisfied in Christ’s coming kingdom: they shall be filled, for righteousness will reign and corruption will give way to the highest moral standards.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1216). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1216). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Merciful” embraces the characteristics of being generous, forgiving others, having compassion for the suffering, and providing healing of every kind.
God rewards those who imitate His goodness and mercy. This beatitude has the same emphasis as the others: God’s kingdom is breaking in upon the world. When it does, God will show mercy to those who have been merciful to others.
“Merciful” embraces the characteristics of being generous, forgiving others, having compassion for the suffering, and providing healing of every kind.
To be merciful means to be actively compassionate. In one sense it means to withhold punishment from offenders who deserve it. In a wider sense it means to help others in need who cannot help themselves. God showed mercy in sparing us from the judgment which our sins deserved and in demonstrating kindness to us through the saving work of Christ. We imitate God when we have compassion.
To be merciful means to be actively compassionate. In one sense it means to withhold punishment from offenders who deserve it. In a wider sense it means to help others in need who cannot help themselves. God showed mercy in sparing us from the judgment which our sins deserved and in demonstrating kindness to us through the saving work of Christ. We imitate God when we have compassion.
God rewards those who imitate His goodness and mercy. This beatitude has the same emphasis as the others: God’s kingdom is breaking in upon the world. When it does, God will show mercy to those who have been merciful to others.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (pp. 1216–1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
The merciful shall obtain mercy. Here, Jesus is not referring to the mercy of salvation which God gives to a believing sinner; that mercy is not dependent on a person’s being merciful—it is a free, unconditional gift. Rather the Lord is speaking of the daily mercy needed for Christian living and of mercy in that future day when one’s works will be reviewed (). If one has not been merciful, that person will not receive mercy; that is, one’s rewards will decrease accordingly.
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 100). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
The merciful shall obtain mercy. Here, Jesus is not referring to the mercy of salvation which God gives to a believing sinner; that mercy is not dependent on a person’s being merciful—it is a free, unconditional gift. Rather the Lord is speaking of the daily mercy needed for Christian living and of mercy in that future day when one’s works will be reviewed (). If one has not been merciful, that person will not receive mercy; that is, one’s rewards will decrease accordingly.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
The pure in heart are given the assurance that they shall see God.
The pure in heart are given the assurance that they shall see God. A pure-hearted person is one whose motives are unmixed, whose thoughts are holy, whose conscience is clean. The expression they shall see God may be understood in several ways. First, the pure in heart see God now through fellowship in the Word and the Spirit. Second, they sometimes have a supernatural appearance, or vision, of the Lord presented to them. Third, they shall see God in the Person of Jesus when He comes again. Fourth, they shall see God in eternity.
A pure-hearted person is one whose motives are unmixed, whose thoughts are holy, whose conscience is clean.
The expression they shall see God may be understood in several ways:
First, the pure in heart see God now through fellowship in the Word and the Spirit.
Second, they sometimes have a supernatural appearance, or vision, of the Lord presented to them.
Third, they shall see God in the Person of Jesus when He comes again.
Fourth, they shall see God in eternity.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
This beatitude uses the terminology of ritual purity and cleanness, which would have been common in Judaism.
This beatitude uses the terminology of ritual purity and cleanness, which would have been common in Judaism.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Purity in heart refers to moral uprightness and not just ritual cleanliness.
Purity in heart refers to moral uprightness and not just ritual cleanliness. The Pauline theme of the impossibility of perfect purity in this life should not be imported here. Rather, as with “righteousness” in general for Matthew, what Jesus requires of his disciples is a life-style characterized by pleasing God (see comments under 1:18–19). The “pure in heart” exhibit a single-minded devotion to God that stems from the internal cleansing created by following Jesus. Holiness is a prerequisite for entering God’s presence. The pure in heart pass this test, so they will see God and experience intimate fellowship with him. This Beatitude closely parallels .
The Pauline theme of the impossibility of perfect purity in this life should not be imported here. Rather, as with “righteousness” in general for Matthew, what Jesus requires of his disciples is a life-style characterized by pleasing God (see comments under 1:18–19).
The “pure in heart” exhibit a single-minded devotion to God that stems from the internal cleansing created by following Jesus.
Holiness is a prerequisite for entering God’s presence.
The pure in heart pass this test, so they will see God and experience intimate fellowship with him. This Beatitude closely parallels .
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 100). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Purity in heart refers to moral uprightness and not just ritual cleanliness. The Pauline theme of the impossibility of perfect purity in this life should not be imported here. Rather, as with “righteousness” in general for Matthew, what Jesus requires of his disciples is a life-style characterized by pleasing God (see comments under 1:18–19). The “pure in heart” exhibit a single-minded devotion to God that stems from the internal cleansing created by following Jesus. Holiness is a prerequisite for entering God’s presence. The pure in heart pass this test, so they will see God and experience intimate fellowship with him. This Beatitude closely parallels .
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 100). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peacemakers focus on interpersonal relationships.
Notice that the Lord is not speaking about people with a peaceful disposition or those who love peace. He is referring to those who actively intervene to make peace.
The natural approach is to watch strife from the sidelines. The divine approach is to take positive action toward creating peace, even if it means taking abuse and invective.
Notice that the Lord is not speaking about people with a peaceful disposition or those who love peace. He is referring to those who actively intervene to make peace. The natural approach is to watch strife from the sidelines. The divine approach is to take positive action toward creating peace, even if it means taking abuse and invective.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Persecution not as a result for their ones wrongdoings, but for righteousness’ sake. The kingdom of heaven is promised to those believers who suffer for doing right.
Their integrity condemns the ungodly world and brings out its hostility. People hate a righteous life because it exposes their own unrighteousness.
The next beatitude deals with those who are persecuted, not for their own wrongdoings, but for righteousness’ sake. The kingdom of heaven is promised to those believers who suffer for doing right. Their integrity condemns the ungodly world and brings out its hostility. People hate a righteous life because it exposes their own unrighteousness.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
All of these characteristics which Jesus labels as blessed are usually not welcomed in the world at large.
All of these characteristics which Jesus labels as blessed are usually not welcomed in the world at large. Hostility may well arise against Jesus’ followers, but even persecuted people are seen by Christ as fortunate. This persecution, however, must be the result of righteous living and not due to individual sin or tactlessness (cf. ; ).
Hostility may well arise against Jesus’ followers, but even persecuted people are seen by Christ as fortunate.
This persecution, however, must be the result of righteous living and not due to individual sin or tactlessness (cf. ; ).
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, pp. 100–101). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
This beatitude seems to be a repetition of the preceding one. However, there is one difference. In the previous verse, the subject was persecution because of righteousness; here it is persecution for Christ’s sake. The Lord knew that His disciples would be maltreated because of their association with, and loyalty to, Him. History has confirmed this: from the outset the world has persecuted, jailed, and killed followers of Jesus.
The final beatitude seems to be a repetition of the preceding one. However, there is one difference. In the previous verse, the subject was persecution because of righteousness; here it is persecution for Christ’s sake. The Lord knew that His disciples would be maltreated because of their association with, and loyalty to, Him. History has confirmed this: from the outset the world has persecuted, jailed, and killed followers of Jesus.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
To suffer for Christ’s sake is a privilege that should cause joy. A great reward awaits those who thus become companions of the prophets in tribulation. Those OT spokemen for God stood true in spite of persecution. All who imitate their loyal courage will share their present exhilaration and future exaltation.
The Beatitudes present a portrait of the ideal citizen in Christ’s kingdom. Notice the emphases on righteousness (v. 6), peace (v. 9), and joy (v. 12). Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” ().
The Beatitudes present a portrait of the ideal citizen in Christ’s kingdom. Notice the emphases on righteousness (v. 6), peace (v. 9), and joy (v. 12). Paul probably had this passage in mind when he wrote: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” ().
To suffer for Christ’s sake is a privilege that should cause joy. A great reward awaits those who thus become companions of the prophets in tribulation. Those OT spokemen for God stood true in spite of persecution. All who imitate their loyal courage will share their present exhilaration and future exaltation.
To suffer for Christ’s sake is a privilege that should cause joy. A great reward awaits those who thus become companions of the prophets in tribulation. Those OT spokemen for God stood true in spite of persecution. All who imitate their loyal courage will share their present exhilaration and future exaltation.
MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1217). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 99). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 99). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.