A Bible Study, One Verse at a Time: Matthew 5:2-12

Showing posts with label Matthew 5:2-12. Show all posts

Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Beatitudes-final thoughts and application

Today I end (for now anyway) our look at The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12.

The initial observations of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. You can find the overviews of each verse at the following links:

Mat 5:2 Mat 5:3 Mat 5:4 Mat 5:5 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:7 Mat 5:8 Mat 5:9 Mat 5:10 Mat 5:11 Matt 5:12

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!

Biblical Prinicples

1. What does the text mean given the original context?

This was Jesus' first public sermon/teaching. He describes to the listeners what someone who wants to be part of the kingdom of God will need to be like.

2. Fundamental Universal Truths?

To be in a right relationship with God one needs to be humble, meek, pure, hungering for righteousness and be ready for possible persecution. The rewards will be great.

3. What does this address in my own culture or even my own situation?

The beatitudes are all about keeping one's focus on God and one's relationship with God. Earthly matters need to be secondary to God. I need to remember that. Our culture tends to be very quick fix and earthly focused.

4. Reinforced values? Difference? Does it require a change?

The beatitudes reinforce most of what Jesus always says. He is always focused on His relationship with the Father and tells us to do the same. I don't know that it requires a full on change from me as much as a re-dedication and a redoubling of my efforts and focus!!
And it makes all the difference in the world!! I need to be forcused on God at all times! What He wants me to do, how He wants me to be, how He wants me to pray....those should be my concerns.
I need to know that I always need Him. I can't (and this has been proven over and over) get myself right without Him! And I WANT to be right with God. I WANT to be pure and meek and peaceful!

Application

1. An example to follow?

Yes! Jesus not only lays out the example, HE IS the example!

2. Sin to avoid?

Not in any certain words but it does seem we would want to avoid focusing on our own earthly concerns and our selfish desires.

3. Promise to claim?

YES! If we do or are the way Jesus shows us to be (poor in spirit or humble, mourning our own sinful nature, meek or non-resistant to God's will, truly hungering and seeking righteousness, merciful!, pure in heart, peacemakers, and are ready for possible persecution) then we would have the kingdom of God, be comforted, be satisfied, inherit the earth, receive mercy, and see God! In other words BLESSED!

4. Prayer to repeat?

Not specifically no

5. Command to obey

Jesus does not state the beatitudes as a command per se but more of a description. But as mentioned before, to be meek means to be non-resistant to God's will. That would insinuate someone who is following God's commands.

6. Condition to meet?

Yes! Each beatitude has a condition that must be met to be able to be in the state of blessedness.

7. Verse to memorize?

I don't think it would hurt to memorize any of the beatitudes.

8. An error to mark?

Not per se. The error would be, to not be as Jesus is telling us to be.

9. Challenge to face

YES! It is always a challenge NOT to be concerned with our earthly and daily toils and troubles and desires!!

But as Jesus says in Mat_6:25-34

"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
(Matthew 6:25-34)

My Application

To keep diving into God's Word so as to continue learning more of His will and commands. To post what I learn on this blog, pray that I am posting correctly, and to continually pray for discernment, wisdom, help and guidance!
To never lose sight of what is really important--God and my relationship with Him. I need to always know that I need Him to overcome my own weaknesses.

Thoughts from Commentaries

Believer's Bible Commentary:

On Mat_5:4 -- states that mourning: "..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."

On Mat_5:7 : 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 (1Co_3:12-15). If one has not been merciful, that person will not receive mercy; that is, one's rewards will decrease accordingly.

ESV Study Bible:

On Mat_5:4 : those who mourn. The spiritual, emotional, or financial loss resulting from sin should lead to mourning and a longing for God’s forgiveness and healing

Final Thoughts

As the Believer's Bible Commentary states, these Beatitudes were addressed to Jesus' followers. They are what He expects and what is to be expected. There is SO much to think upon. Blessed! A permanent state of relationship and closeness with God. Amazing. Humility, sorrow for sin, receiving and giving mercy. Making peace, helping to tell others about Christ. The possibility of persecution (in many forms).
But the state of blessedness is the thing. It is what we all should want and strive for.

Friday, February 17, 2012

The Beatitudes, Today's Verse is Matthew 5:12

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:12.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. You can find the overviews of the previous verses in from Matthew 5:2-11 at the following links:

Mat 5:2 Mat 5:3 Mat 5:4 Mat 5:5 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:7 Mat 5:8 Mat 5:9 Mat 5:10 Mat 5:11

Matthew 5:12

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

(Matthew 5:12 ESV)

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

Rejoice:

ESword Concordance Search--- Paul often uses the word rejoice when discussing our hope in God in Romans.And Jesus is also telling us to rejoice because we are blessed (see word study on Blessed in topic notes) if we follow Him! This state of blessedness is a permanent state based on our relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. If we are in a right relationship with God this state of blessedness exists regardless of our earthly circumstances.
Definition--- To be glad. In this case an absolute sense of gladness. (Jesus has been victorious!) Opposite of mourning! A constant state (according to Mounce) because of our relationship to Jesus. In fact the first use of the Greek work in the NT is when the Magi see the star that leads them to baby Jesus. Mat_2:9-10
Other important cross references--- Joh 14:27 Isa 25:9 Joh 4:14 Rom 8:35-39 Luk 6:23 Act 5:41 Rom 5:3 2Co 4:17 Php 2:17 Jas 1:2 1Pe 4:13 Php 4:4 1Th 5:16

Glad:

ESword Concordance Search--- Luk 6:23 Act 2:26 Rev 19:7 Php 2:17 Php 2:18 1Pe 4:13 Php 4:4 1Th 5:16
Definition-To show one's joy by leaping, showing ecstatic joy and delight. Leap for joy.
In this context emphasizes rejoice. Means to rejoice exceedingly.

reward:

ESword Concordance Search--- Mat 5:46 Mat 6:1 Mat 6:2 Mat 6:4 Mat 6:6 Mat 6:16 Mat 6:18 Mat 10:41-42 Mar 9:41 Luk 6:35 1Co 3:8 1Co 3:14 Col 3:24 Heb 10:35 2Jn 1:8 Rev 11:8 Rev 22:12 Heb 11:6 Psa 19:11 Psa 58:11 Pro 11:18 Isa 3:10 Gen 15:1
Definition--- wages, reward. In this context, to be received hereafter. (Jesus uses the words WILL BE..as it is a reward that is waiting for us). It is our reward in Heaven. Not an earthly reward.

persecuted:

Please see notes to Mat 5:10
Other Cross-References--- Mat 10:18-23 Mat 10:39 Mat 19:29 Mat 24:9 Mar 8:35 Mar 13:9 Mar 13:13 Luk 9:24 Luk 21:12 Luk 21:17 Act 9:16 Php 3:8 Rev 2:3

prophets:

Definition-One to whom and through whom God speaks. One whom speaks under divine influence and inspiration.
(ie: If people have been persecuting God's chosen messengers they will also persecute others who follow God's own son!)

Other Relevant Cross-References

Jas 5:10 Mat 5:17 Mat 7:12 Mat 11:13 Mat 13:17 Mat 23:31-34 Mat 23:37 Luk 11:49-50 Heb 1:1 1Pe 1:10 Act 7:52

Summary

Jesus is telling us that the persecution discussed in Mat_5:10-11 is nothing new as people have been persecuting the Lord's chosen (prophets) forever. But we are to look past the present persecution and look forward to our reward in heaven! It is is promised by Jesus and it will be great. As with the entirety of the beatitudes, Jesus is telling us to focus not on our earthly state or condition, but to instead focus on our spiritual state, our relationship with God, the Father. For if this relationship is right, then we will be in a state of blessedness regardless of our earthly circumstances.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

The Beatitudes, Today's Verse is Matthew 5:11

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:11.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. You can find the overviews of the previous verses in from Matthew 5:2-10 at the following links:

Mat 5:2 Mat 5:3 Mat 5:4 Mat 5:5 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:7 Mat 5:8 Mat 5:9 Mat 5:10

Matthew 5:11

"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. (Matthew 5:11 NKJV)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that when are reviled and persecuted for Jesus' sake will be blessed! The cause

ARE: As in all the previous Beatitudes, Jesus makes it clear that what He is NOT stating probabilities. What He is stating are truths and they will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Sake: The same Greek word is used for sake in Matthew 5:10 and Matthew 5:11.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10 NKJV)
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." (Matthew 5:11 NKJV)
The Fausset commentary points out that Jesus substituted His name for Righteousness! Only Jesus could make that claim. But having that pointed out by Fausset helps us see why Jesus would use spend as much time as He did on the subject of persecution in this sermon. It also helps to highlight that we are to follow Him!

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

revile:

ESword Concordance Search--- Exo 22:28 Psa 74:10 Luk 6:22 Act 23:4 1Pe 2:23 1Pe 3:16
Definition--- To defame, disparage...assail with abusive words

persecute:

See definition under study notes to Mat 5:10
Psa 119:69 Isa 51:7 1Co 4:12

my sake (or account):

ESword Concordance Search--- Joh 15:18-21 Mat 10:18-23 Mat 10:39 Mat 19:29 Mat 24:9 Mar 8:35 Mar 13:9 Mar 13:13 Luk 9:24 Luk 21:12 Luk 21:17 Act 9:16 Php 3:8 Rev 2:3

One other key word in this verse is YOU! From Mat 5:3 until Mat 5:10 Jesus refers to others and but in this verse he directs it those listeners right there! (and us!)
This serves to make it personal. This isn't some abstract thought that applies to others.....the audience at the Mount (and US) can be the Blessed., will be the Blessed, if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord and are prepared to face the possible negative earthly consequences!

Further Cross References on the topic of persecution--- Mat 10:22 Mat 10:28 1Co 4:12 Heb 10:32 2Co 12:10 1Pe 4:16 Joh 15:19 Rom 8:35

Summation

This verse further clarifies the thought Jesus started in Mat 5:10 and puts the shift on all of the beatitudes on His direct audience and us, the current readers. The beatitudes start out as being about "those people" and in the end Jesus refers to us. We must make the decision.

Answer to my initial question: Is Jesus defining perseverance?

Yes and no! But this was a somewhat shallow question on my part. Paul does discuss running the race at times (perseverance) in his letters ( 1Co 9:24 and 2Ti 4:7 ) but the deeper thought resides in the following summation I make after Mat_5:12 :

Jesus is telling us that the persecution discussed in Mat 5:10-11 is nothing new because people have been persecuting the Lord's chosen (prophets) forever. But we are to look past the present persecution and look forward to our reward in heaven! It is is promised by Jesus and it will be great. As with the entirety of the beatitudes, Jesus is telling us to focus not on our earthly state or condition, but to instead focus on our spiritual state, our relationship with God, the Father. For if this relationship is right, then we will be in a state of blessedness regardless of our earthly circumstances.

Bibliography

Jamieson, Robert, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. A Commentary: Critical, Experimental, and Practical on the Old and New Testaments. Toledo, OH: Jerome B. Names & Co., 1884. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Commentary contained as a single volume.
Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Nave, Orville. Nave's Topical Bible: A Digest of The Holy Sciptures. New York: Topical Bible Publishing Co., 1896. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
The Holy Bible: New King James Version Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1993. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Zodhiates, Spiros, ed. – The Complete Word Study New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1991. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Beatitudes: Today's Verse is Matthew 5:10

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:9.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. You can find the overviews of the previous verses in from Matthew 5:2-9 at the following links:

Mat 5:2 Mat 5:3 Mat 5:4 Mat 5:5 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:7 Mat 5:8 Mat 5:9

Matthew 5:10

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake will be blessed! The cause is that "theirs is the kingdom of God."

ARE and FOR: As in all the previous Beatitudes, Jesus makes it clear that what He is NOT stating probabilities. What He is stating are truths and they will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

Righteousness:

Gospels search--- Mat 3:15 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:10 Mat 5:20 Mat 6:1 Mat 6:33 Mat 21:32 Luk 1:75 Joh 16:8-10
Letters of Paul Search--- Rom 1:17 Rom 3:5 Rom 3:21-26 Rom 4:3 Rom 4:5-9 Rom 4:11-13 Rom 4:22 Rom 5:17-18 Rom 6:13 Rom 6:16-20 Rom 8:10 Rom 9:30-31 Rom 10:10 Rom 14:17 Gal 5:5 Eph 4:24 Eph_6:14
Paul often refers to righteousness as something that comes from or is given by God. We can not make ourselves righteous. Jesus also seems to be saying this, especially in Mat 6:32-33
Definition--- Righteousness (in both the OT and NT) is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment. God is the standard of righteousness. Or...of whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God
We are expected to conform to this.
We can only live up to this righteousness by receiving and accepting the GIFT of righteousness as given to us when we repent our sins and receive Christ as our Savior and Lord!!
Also faith in God!
In other words, righteousness is not achieved or earned! We can not earn it on any merit of our own. We only obtain rigtheousness (right relationship with God) through faith in Jesus Christ! IT is given to us by God when we accept His standards and His will which we can only do when we accept His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord! We must acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection that defeated sin.
Mounce clarifies this even more by explaining (summarizing Paul) it this way: The law is God's standard of righteousness and we can not ever live up to that. But Jesus did live it up to that standard and died for our sins! And then rose again defeating sin forever. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord we are accepting the gift of HIS righteousness so that we may be counted as righteous.

Persecuted:

This word means to pursue with repeated acts of enmity.

kingdom of heaven:

So based on the definition of blessed as used in the beatitudes (see word study on blessed) it seems that Jesus is mostly referring to the spiritual kingdom of God WITHIN us (as the poor in spirit are humbled and thus ready for a true relationship with God! Psa 51:17 ) (for the complete definition and thoughts on kingdom of heaven see the post on Mat 5:2 )

Jesus is showing us a possible "negative" consequence of following Him. (being persecuted) But anyone who does follow Jesus will still be in that permanent state of blessedness because they will have the kingdom of heaven inside them! The Holy Spirit will be a permanent fixture in their heart because God has placed His Holy Spirit within us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. And this blessedness will override any possible negatives of being persecuted!

In fact one of the reasons Jesus may discuss the negative of persecution THREE times in the beatitudes when He doesn't repeat any other worldly state of the blessed ones, is that He is trying to emphasis that there will be a negative and yet we will still feel blessed, we will still be right with God and will still have the permanent state of well-being thanks to His Holy Spirit residing within us. Jesus does again tell us that there will be sorrow and tribulations in Joh 16:20-22

Another example from Scripture that further demonstrates that Jesus meant persecute in the negative sense in this verse is: Joh 15:18-24

Jesus speaks very plainly in the above verses from John. (He spoke plainly in His final discourse to His disciples. Another topic entirely!)

Yet more cross-references where Jesus details the persecution that those who have chosen to believe in Him may face:

Mat 10:18-23 Mat 10:39 Mat 19:29 Mat 24:9 Mar 8:35 Mar 13:9 Mar 13:13 Luk 9:24 Luk 21:12 Luk 21:17 Act 9:16 Php 3:8 Rev 2:3

Saturday, February 4, 2012

The Beatitudes, Today's Verse is Matthew 5:9

Mat 5:2 Mat 5:3 Mat 5:4 Mat 5:5 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:7 Mat 5:8

Matthew 5:9

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

(Matthew 5:9)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that those who are peacemakers will be blessed! The cause is that "they shall be called sons of God."

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

peacemaker(s):

This actual word is only used once in the NT as Peacemaker.
It comes from two Greek words; 1) Peace and 2) to make (do rightly) or (even band together).

Peace:

ESword Concordance Search--- Joh 14:27 Rom 5:1 Rom 8:6
State of peace (tranquility) of the believer's soul assured of its salvation through Christ. Content with where they are on earth.
Mat 6:25-34 (In these verses from Matthew, Jesus is again telling us to focus on and strive for the kingdom of God and God's righteousness! That is where our state of tranquility comes from.
SO..does this mean that peacemakers in this context are those who help others find their way to Jesus and thus this state of peace?? Yes, I think so! This has a broader grander meaning than just someone who makes peace between two parties.

Called:

In this verse it means to be, regarded as, accounted as!

sons of (God):

ESword Concordance Search--- Luk 20:36 Rom 8:14 Rom 8:9 Rom 9:8 Rom 9:26 Gal 3:26 Gal 4:6 1Jn 3:1 1Jn 3:10 1Jn 5:2 1Jn 5:19 Rev 12:17
Definition--- Those whom God loves and cherishes as a father. (those who are in right relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ!)

Other relevant cross references:

Psa 120:6 Rom 12:8 Rom 14:17-19 1Co 6:6 Gal 5:22 Php 2:1-3Col 3:13 2Ti 2:22-24 Heb 12:14 Jas 1:19-20 Jas 3:16-18 Mat 5:45 Mat 5:48 Luk 6:35 Eph 5:1-2 Php 2:15-16 1Pe 1:14-16

Summation

The larger and more important picture of peacemakers seems to be those who have the peace of God through His Son Jesus Christ AND are attempting to help bring others to that same peace. It would be inferred that those people who have that peace (tranquility) from being assured of their own salvation through Christ would also help to broker peace between those in conflict as well. (even conflicts that may arise within the Church: Rom 14:1-7 ) It does seem that the bigger picture is that of having the peace of God (through His Son Jesus Christ) and then helping guide others (by preaching and sharing the Gospel) towards that same relationship with God as well.

And those will be accounted as children (sons) of God! God will cherish them and love them as a Father.

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Beatitudes: Today's verse is Matthew 5:8

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:8.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. The verse overviews of Matthew 5:2-7 can be found here, here, here. here, here, and here

Matthew 5:8

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

(Matthew 5:8)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that those who are pure in heart will be blessed! The cause is that "they shall see God."

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

pure:

ESword Concordance Search--- 1Ti 1:5 2Ti 2:22 Psa 24:4 Psa 73:1 Psa 73:13 Pro 20:9 Psa 51:10 Heb 10:22 Mar 7:17-19 Php 1:17 Php 4:8 Tit 1:15 1Jn 3:3 Joh 13:10 Joh 15:3 Psa 24:3-5 Psa 119:9-12
Definition--- Clean in a spiritual sense from the pollution and guilt of sin. (can also mean sincere)
Mounce further clarifies this as being morally free of guilt. Morally clean.

heart:

ESword Concordance Search--- Mat 6:21 Mat 15:8 Mat 18:35 Mat 22:37
Mar 11:23 Mar 12:30 Luk 8:12-15 Rom 10:9-10 Col 3:12 Eph 6:5 Heb 10:22 1Pe 3:4
(also see above search for pure)
Definition--- seat of desires, feelings affections, passions and impulses. (pure in heart=those whose center of life has been made pure by Jesus Christ!)

see (God):

ESword Concordance Search--- Mar 9:1 Luk 3:6 Joh 3:3 Joh 11:40 Isa 35:2 Rev 22:4
Definition--- to see. Also not just the mere act of seeing but also actual PERCEPTION. (differing from the Greek work blepo which just means to see. The Greek word in our current text (horao) includes perception, understanding. Can also mean to have personal acquaintance and fellowship with.

Summation

To be pure is to be morally free of sin or guilt. The heart is often used as a metaphor as the seat of our passions, desires. So the pure in heart are morally free of guilt and also have only the purest of passions and desires. This would mean that they are focused on God's will and wants. (ie: the meek as that word is used in Matthew 5:5) To see God CAN mean to see and to perceive (understand) and be in fellowship with. I think those are all pretty self-explanatory.

Why will the pure in heart see (understand, perceive, have fellowship with) God? Because to become pure in heart (free from moral guilt) one must become righteous! The only way to become pure and righteous is through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And this creates a right relationship with God.

Jesus Himself tells assures this Joh 16:26-27!!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Beatitudes: Today's verse is Matthew 5:7

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:7.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. The verse overviews of Matthew 5:2-6 can be found here, here, here. here, and here.

Matthew 5:7

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."

(Matthew 5:7)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that those are merciful will be blessed! The cause is that "they shall receive mercy."

ARE and FOR: As in all the Beatitudes Jesus makes it clear that what He is saying are not probabilities. They are true and will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

merciful:

E Sword Concordance Search--- Luk 6:36 Luk 18:13 Heb 2:17 Heb 8:12 Jas 5:11 Psa 86:15 Psa 145:8 Pro 11:17 Hos 6:6
Definition--- The Greek word is usually used as a quality or action from God. The word is only used as a quality of believers in Mat_5:7 or in proverbs Pro_11:17
Actual definition is compassionate, benevolently merciful involving thought and action. As the previous beatitudes indicate, this state of blessedness is a permanent condition due to a person's belief in Jesus Christ and subsequent right relationship with God.

receive (obtain) mercy: (this is all one word in Greek!)

Definition--- to show compassion or mercy. Extend help for the consequence of sin.
mercy is the application of grace (God's grace that has allowed us to be forgiven for our sins!)
Many times people asked Jesus for mercy: Mat 9:27 Mat 15:22 Mat 17:15 Mat 20:30 Mat 20:31
God shows us mercy (Jesus in His earthly ministry also showed mercy): Mar 5:19 Luk 1:58 Luk 1:78 Rom 11:32
Mercy is not something we earn, it is God's prerogative: Rom 9:15 Rom 9:16 Rom 9:18
To be merciful is to forgive other their trespasses against us. Blanket forgiveness of sins is God's domain.
It is not necessarily in OUR nature to forgive. But Jesus wants us to forgive others (Mat 6:14-15 ). So as this beatitude is listed after the one dealing with those who hunger for righteousness due to their realization of their poor spiritual state (caused by sin) and enabled through their humbleness to realize that only through God can their sin be forgiven and only through God can they obtain mercy, then they should be able (and desire) to show mercy. A good example of this thought can be found in Matt 18:23-33
Other relevant cross-references: Mat 9:13 Luk 10:30-37
Mercy is also acts of kindness and compassion not just forgiveness.
God wants us to be merciful to all those in need. And part of that is forgiveness. Mat 6:12-15
And again it is important to note that this ability (which also seems to be a command from God) to forgive others is given after the person has acknowledged the need for God (and forgiveness of one's own sins), which leads to humility and humbleness, and then thirsting and hungering for that righteousness that come only from God (which God will fill...when we believe on and accept His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord), then we will show mercy because we will be able to! Because WE HAVE BEEN shown mercy. ...it is a cycle! a good one...but we SHOULD NOT break the cycle!
God's mercy also includes His acts of kindness to all of us in need and definitely includes the forgiveness of our sins through God's grace!
We must also know that mercy is an action. (sprung from compassion and/or empathy?)

How do we go about being merciful?

In many ways! But the simplest are:

To forgive those who trespass against us because the Father has forgiven us our sins, Mat 6:14-15 Mat 18:21-35 For it is important to remember that by forgiving our sins God has shown us the ultimate mercy! A mercy we did not earn!
And by showing kindness to our neighbor (in other words everyone)!! Luk 10:30-37 (among other examples!)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Beatitudes, Today's verse is Matthew 5:6

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:6.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. The verse overviews of Matthew 5:2, 5:3, 5:4 and 5:5 can be found here, here, here. and here.

Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."

(Matthew 5:6)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is that those who yearn for righteousness will be blessed! The cause is that "they shall be satisfied."

ARE and FOR: As in all the Beatitudes Jesus makes it clear that what He is saying are not probabilities. They are true and will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

Righteousness:

ESword Concordance Search--- Mat 3:15 Mat 5:6 Mat 5:10 Mat 5:20 Mat 6:1 Mat 6:33 Mat 21:32 Luk 1:75 Joh 16:8-10 Rom 1:17 Rom 3:5 Rom 3:21-26 Rom 4:3 Rom 4:5-9 Rom 4:11-13 Rom 4:22 Rom 5:17-18 Rom 6:13 Rom 6:16-20 Rom 8:10 Rom 9:30-31 Rom 10:10 Rom 14:17 Gal 5:5 Eph 4:24 Eph 6:14
Definition--- Righteousness (in both the OT and NT) is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment. God is the standard of righteousness.
In Vine's: of whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God We are expected to conform to this.
Paul often refers to righteousness as something that comes from or is given by God. We can not make ourselves righteous. Jesus also seems to be saying this, especially in Mat 6:32-33 We can only live up to this righteousness by receiving and accepting the GIFT of righteousness as given to us when we repent our sins and receive Christ as our Savior and Lord!!
In other words, righteousness is not achieved or earned! We can not earn it on any merit of our own. We only obtain righteousness (right relationship with God) through faith in Jesus Christ! IT is given to us by God when we accept His standards and His will which we can only do when we accept His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord! We must acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for our sins and His resurrection that defeated sin.
Mounce clarifies this even more by explaining (summarizing Paul) it this way: The law is God's standard of righteousness and we can not ever live up to that. But Jesus did live it up to that standard and died for our sins! And then rose again defeating sin forever. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord we are accepting the gift of HIS righteousness so that we may be counted as righteous.

hunger:

Definition--- to long for

thirst:

Definition--- desire ardently

satisfied:

Definition--- to be filled!

A few other cross-references--- Psa 24:3-5 Psa 119:9-12

Summation

Basically Jesus is stating quite clearly that those who truly desire (long for, hunger!) righteousness will be filled. Completed. The thing is that we must know what righteousness means! Jesus is saying that we who hunger to be right with God (and there is only one way to be right with God---thru faith and belief in His Son, Jesus Christ) will be filled. If we accept the righteousness of Jesus as the gift from God that it is, our hunger for righteousness will be filled. We will become right with God, through God! NOT through anything we have done or earned! (very important)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

The Beatitudes, Today's verse is Matthew 5:5

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:5.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. The verse overviews of Matthew 5:2, 5:3 and 5:4 can be found here, here, and here.

Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
(Matthew 5:5)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: Effect is the meek are Blessed, The cause is that "they shall inherit the earth."

ARE and FOR: As in all the Beatitudes Jesus makes it clear that what He is saying are not probabilities. They are true and will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publisher, Vine's Expository Dictionary and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

meek:

ESword Concordance Search--- Mat 11:29 Mat 21:5 1Pe 3:4
Definition--- Mildness, gentleness. The acceptance of God's dealings with us, considering them as good in that they enhance the closeness of our relationship with Him. This word does not mean weak! In fact Aristotle used the Greek word to describe the place between becoming unjustifiably angry and never getting angry no matter what takes place. (Even Jesus got angry once in awhile). So the meek as described here are NOT TIMID! Meek has more to do with our acceptance of God's dealings with us. Also humility.
More Definition--- The Greek noun (prautes) from which this adjective comes from is hard to translate into English, as meek is rather a negative term in English. Vine's Expository Dictionary mentions that this has little to do with a person's outward behavior or in his or her relations to their fellow man. Vine's states: "It is an inwrought grace of the soul and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God." This disposition causes us to NOT resist and dispute God in His dealings with us. Again, this use of meek does NOT insinuate weakness, it instead alludes to an inner peaceful relationship with God that gives us real strength. (Aristotle's description is pretty neat!)
Other relevant cross-references--- Num 12:3 Psa 25:9 2Ti 2:25 Col 3:12 Eph 4:2 Gal 5:23

inherit the earth:

Definition--- inherit means: to obtain or possess. It is often spoken only of the friends of God as receiving admission to the kingdom of heaven and it's privileges. Since God's kingdom will eventually be on earth( or the new earth Isa 65:17 Isa 66:22 Rev 21:1) inheriting it is one of the privileges mentioned above.
I am not completely sure why Jesus chose to say inherit the earth here instead of referring to the kingdom of heaven as he did in Mat 5:3
But it is not the first time that the earth itself is mentioned as an inheritance: Psa 37:9 Psa 37:11 Psa 37:29 Psa 37:34
In Psa 37:11 the meek are also said to inherit the land. The Hebrew word for meek also means humble...not putting oneself above others.

Did Jesus use the phrase inherit the earth as an obvious example of how different the kingdom of God is from our earthly thoughts? Because this would be a remarkable and beautifully educational example of how different the kingdom of God is to our worldly way of doing things. The meek are not often thought of as the ones who will win the prize in our everyday earthly lives. But again meek DOES NOT mean weak in this context.

Mat 5:38-48 (I think this describes a lot of it)

This beatitude is very interesting...a LOT is being said here!!) This particular saying (well, all of them really) deserves a lot more reflection and prayer!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12: Today's verse is Matthew 5:4

Today we continue our verse by verse look at what is often referred to as The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. We will be looking at Matthew 5:4.

The overview of Matthew 5:2-12 can be found here, while an important word study on the term blessed can be found here. The verse overviews of Matthew 5:2 and 5:3 can be found here and here.

Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
(Matthew 5:4)

Grammatical Considerations

Cause and effect: The effect is that the Blessed will be comforted. The cause is because they mourn. What they are mourning will be discussed below.

ARE and FOR: As in all the Beatitudes Jesus makes it clear that what He is saying are not probabilities. They are true and will occur given the circumstances He sets forth.

Important Terms

All definitions were culled from the Complete Word Study Dictionary from AMG Publishers and/or

Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary.

Blessed:

see word study at this link.

mourn:

ESword Concordance Search--- Mat 9:15 Luk 6:25 Rev 1:7 Job 5:11 Ecc 3:4 Isa 61:2 Isa 61:3 Isa 66:10 Psa 30:11 Rev 21:4
Definition--- to be sad about, grieve for and bewail the death of a friend.
Mounce adds that often in the NT we are told it is right and ok for us to mourn our own sins (grieve over the fact that we have committed these sins!)

be comforted:

ESword Concordance Search--- Luk 16:25 2Co 1:6 2Co 1:4 2Co 13:11 2Th 2:16 Rev 7:17 Psa 71:21 Psa 119:50 Psa 119:75-76\
Definition--- receive aid, be encouraged, to receive help or consolation. Is a verb form of the Greek word paraklesis which comes from the Greek words para(beside) and kaleo(to call). Or calling to one's side! Or to call near! So those who mourn (and also mourn their own sinful nature) will be called near to God and from God they will find their consolation!

Other cross-references: Psa 34:4 Psa 55:22 Isa 41:10

Summation

So all of this goes hand in hand with those that are poor in spirit from Mat 5:3 For those who are poor in spirit are humbled and know they are sinners. It is important to remember that the spirit refers to the intangible part of a man that is in relationship with God. And only those who are humbled enough to realize they are poor in spirit (not right with God) will then mourn their sins that have made this relationship poor. And then and only then, will they be humbled and contrite Psa 51:15-17 (actually that entire Psalm!!) enough to willfully, readily and joyfully receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. And then, and only then will they be right with God and no longer poor in spirit or in mourning! They will indeed be comforted!! Comforted by the fact that they are now in a right and permanent relationship with God!