Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. BLESSED ... Of the two words which our translators render "blessed," the one here used [ makarioi (G3107)] points more to what is inward, and so might be rendered "happy," in a lofty sense; while the other [ eulogeemenoi (G2127)] denotes rather what comes to us from without (as Matthew 25:34). But the distinction is not always nicely carried out. One Hebrew word [ 'ªshreey (H835)] expresses both. On these precious Beatitudes, observe that though eight in number, there are here but seven distinct features of character. The eighth one-the "persecuted...

3._Happy are the poor in spirit. _Luke 6:20._Happy (are ye) poor. _Luke gives nothing more than a simple metaphor: but as the poverty of many is accursed and unhappy, Matthew expresses more clearly the intention of Christ. Many are pressed down by distresses, and yet continue to swell inwardly with pride and cruelty. But Christ pronounces those to be happy who, chastened and subdued by afflictions, submit themselves wholly to God, and, with inward humility, betake themselves to him for protection. Others explain _the poor in spirit _to be those who claim nothing for themselves, and are even so completely emptied of confidence in the flesh, that they acknowledge their poverty. But as the words of Luke and those of Matthew must have the same meaning, there can be no doubt that the appellation _poor _is here given to those who are pressed

3-12 Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. 2. Those that mourn are happy. That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Heaven is the joy of our Lord; a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. Such mourners shall be comforted by their God. 3. The meek are happy. The meek are those who quietly submi...

Verse Matthew 5:3. _BLESSED_ ARE _THE POOR IN SPIRIT_, C.] Or, _happy_, μακαριοι from μα or μη, _not_, and κηρ, _fate_, or _death_: intimating, that such persons were endued with _immortality_, and consequently were not liable to the caprices of _fate_. Homer, Iliad i, 330, calls the supreme gods, Θεων μακαρων, _the ever happy_ _and_ IMMORTAL _gods_, and opposes them to θνητων ανθρωπων, _mortal_ men. τω δ' αυτω μαρτυροι εστων Προς τε Θεων μακαρων, προς τε θνητων ανθροπων. "Be ye witnesses before the immortal gods, and before mortal men." From this definition we may learn, t

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT - The word “blessed” means “happy,” referring to that which produces felicity, from whatever quarter it may come. POOR IN SPIRIT - Luke says simply, Blessed are the poor. It has been disputed whether Christ meant the poor in reference to the things of this life, or to the humble. The gospel is said to be preached to the poor, Luke 4:18; Matthew 11:5. It was predicted that the Messiah would preach to the poor, Isaiah 61:1. It is said that they have special facilities for being saved, Matthew 19:23;...

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 5:1 AND SEEING THE MULTITUDES; _i.e. _those spoken of in Matthew 4:25—the multitudes who were at that point of time following him. HE WENT UP. From the lower ground by the lake. INTO A MOUNTAIN; Revised Version, _into the mountain _(εἰς τὸ ὄρος);_ i.e. _not any special mountain, but "the mountain nearest the place spoken of—the mountain near by" (Thayer); in contrast to any lower place, whether that was itself fairly high ground (as probably Luke 9:28) or the shore of the lake. The actual spot here referred to may have been far from, or, and more probably ...

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT,.... Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves. The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it,...

Matthew 5:1. _And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:_ For convenience, and quietude, and to be out of the way of traffic, he went up into a mountain. Elevated doctrines would seem most at home on the high places of the earth. Matthew 5:1. _And when he was set,_ For that was the mode of Eastern teaching, Matthew 5:1. _His disciples came unto him:_ They made the inner ring around him, and others gathered around them. Matthew 5:2. _And he opened his mouth, and taught them,_ Chrysostom says that he taught them even when he did not open his

5. THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KING CONCERNING HIS KINGDOM. CHAPTER S 5-7 _ 1. The Characteristics of the heirs of the Kingdom.(Matthew 5:1 .) 2. The Confirmation of the Law and its Expansion.(Matthew 5:17 .)_ CHAPTER 5 In the closing of the last chapter we saw our Lord Jesus Christ surrounded by a great multitude of people, which followed Him and who were attracted by the King's presence, before whom the various diseases had to flee. If we turn to the eighth chapter we find the continuation of these scenes we had in the last half of the fourth chapter. Between these two Chapter s are three very important ones, which are as such found only in this Gospel. The contents of the fifth, sixth and seventh Chapter s are in the form of a continued discourse of our Lord, commonly called “t

THE BEATITUDES (_cf._ Luke 6:20). These nine sayings (eight if we reckon Matthew 5:10 as one, or regard Matthew 5:11 f. as having originally stood elsewhere; seven if we omit Matthew 5:5) have analogies in OT (_e.g._ Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 89:15; Proverbs 8:32;...