The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12, a word study of Blessed.

Before we look at each verse of the Beatitudes I think it is important to take an in-depth look at the word Blessed!  It is used in every verse from Mathew 5:3 to 5:11.

The initial overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here.http://thebible-verse-by-verse.blogspot.com/2012/01/beatitudes-mat-52-12-overview.html

For any person who does not have easy access to Bible software you can look up all cross references listed in this blog at the Bible Gateway website.    It is easy and quick to use and you can choose from many different translations.  The cross references are a big part of any Bible Study that we may undertake! 

BLESSED

G3107 IN STRONG'S=MAKARIOS

 

Definition:

G3107- from The Complete Word Study Dictionary-

• Possessing the favor of God-the state of being marked by the fullness of God.  Indicates the state of the believer in Christ (The Word Study Dictionary uses Mat 5:3-11  as an example of this!)  The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit because of Christ and as a result should be fully satisfied no matter the circumstances. 
• This is MUCH different from happy (which makarios is sometimes translated to in English), in that happy connotes pleasure from circumstances-the root hap means luck as a favorable circumstance.  G3107, makarios, is equivalent to having God's kingdom within one's heart.  Makarios (blessed) is the one who is in the world yet independent of the world!  This person's satisfaction comes from God and that person's relationship with God, not from favorable circumstances.  (G3106 is the form of the word that is to declare someone blessed---it is the poetic form of the word.)

G3107-Definition from Mounces' Expository Dictionary-

• Mounce seems to be not a little unsure of himself as he basically agrees with the above but also states it can mean just being happy because of circumstances. He then uses 1Co 7:40 as an example.  But it seems that being a widow is not a favorable circumstance and that Paul is saying that the widow would be "happier" (blessed) by building a relationship with God instead of worrying about being remarried.  This seems to be more in line with Paul's general thinking about marriage where he believe that those not married should stay unmarried to focus on their relationship with God.  1Co 7:7-8  and 1Co 7:21-3.  
• So. based on Paul's thoughts on singleness and marriage and the single person's ability to devote his or her time to God,  I believe that Paul's use of makarios in 1Co 7:40  is in line with the definition from the Word Study dictionary.  It is not happy, as in a favourable circumstance but instead still indicates a state of permanent satisfaction due to one's relationship with God.

Various New Testament Cross References:

• Mat 5:3-11  Mat 11:6  Mat 13:16  Mat 16:17  Mat 24:46  Luk 1:45  Luk 6:20-22  Luk 7:23         Luk 10:23  Luk 10:23  Luk 11:27-28   Luk 12:37-38  Luk 12:43   Luk 14:14-15  Luk 23:29
• Joh 13:17  Joh 20:29  Act 20:35  Rom 4:7-8  1Ti 1:11  1Ti 6:15  Tit 2:13  Jas 1:12  Jas 1:25        1Pe 3:14  1Pe 4:14  Rev 14:13  Rev 1:3  Rev 16:15  Rev 20:6  Rev 19:9  Rev 22:7  Rev 22:14 

Blessed (as an adjective) in the Psalms and Proverbs:

• Psa 1:1  Psa 2:12  Psa 32:1-2  Psa 41:1    Psa 33:12  Psa 34:8  Psa 40:4  Psa 84:4  Psa 84:5        Psa 84:12  Psa 89:15  Psa 94:12  Psa 112:1   Psa 146:5  Pro 3:13  Pro 8:34    Pro 28:14 

For contrast we will now look at Strong's G2127, which is also translated to Blessed and used as an adjective.

G2127-Eulegemenos, Word Study definition:

 

• Eulegemenos-refers to one upon whom God has acted or who has experienced God's blessing.  Used in joyful salutations to indicate that the blessing of the individual is due to God's intervention in that person's life.  Eulegemenos indicates a one time event.
• Makarios (G3107 from the beatitudes) differs from Eulegemenos (G2127) in that Makarios means to be indwelt by God permanently because of Jesus and thereby be fully satisfied.  Makarios refers to a permanent state of being when referring to mankind while Eulogemenos refers to the action of God in man's life.  Makarios=permanent state of being.  Eulegemenos=a particular instance of blessing.
• This can be seen in Mat 25:34  where G2127 (eulegemenos) is used.  The people in the parable have been blessed but have yet to inherit the kingdom that was prepared for them.   

I think that knowing the distinction between these two Greek words and how Blessed is used in the beatitudes has a significant impact on one's understanding of the beatitudes.  Jesus is stating that the people of whom He speaks in Matthew 5:2-12 will be in a permanent state of full satisfaction with their relationship with God the Father through the Son.  The conditions he speaks of are contrasting in that they are temporary (poor in spirit, etc. etc.) especially when compared to the permanent relationship with God!!  The conditions and circumstances are temporary but they blessedness is PERMANENT!

My next post will begin looking at each verse in detail.

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”