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 for righteousness' sake" - denotes merely the possessors of the seven preceding features, on account of which it is that they are persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Accordingly, instead of any distinct promise to this class, we have merely a repetition of the first promise. This has been noticed by several critics, who by the sevenfold character thus set forth have rightly observed that a complete character is meant to be depicted, and by the sevenfold blessedness attached to it, a perfect blessedness is intended. Observe, again, that the language in which these beatitudes are couched is purposely fetched from the Old Testament, to show that the new kingdom is but the old in a new form; while the characters described are but the varied forms of that spiritually which was the essence of real religion all along, but had well-nigh disappeared under corrupt teaching. Further, the things here promised, far from being mere arbitrary rewards, will be found in each case to grow out of the characters to which they are attached, and in their completed form are but the appropriate coronation of them. Once more, as "the kingdom of heaven," which is the first and the last thing here promised, has two stages-a present and a future, an initial and a consummate stage-so the fulfillment of each of these promises has two stages-a present and a future, a partial and a perfect stage.

Blessed are the poor in spirit. All familiar with Old Testament phraseology know how frequently God's, true people are called "the poor" [ `ªniyyim (H6041)] - the 'oppressed,' 'afflicted,' 'miserable' - "the needy" [ 'ebyownaayim (H34)], or both together (as in Psalms 40:17; Isaiah 41:17). The explanation of this lies in the fact that it is generally "the poor of this world" who are "rich in faith" (James 2:5: cf. 2 Corinthians 6:10, and Revelation 2:9); while it is often "the ungodly" who "prosper in the world" (Psalms 73:12). Accordingly in Luke (Luke 6:20), it seems to be this class-the literally "poor" and "hungry" - that are specially addressed. But since God's people, are in so many places called "the poor" and "the needy," with no evident reference to their temporal circumstances (as in Psalms 68:10; Psalms 69:29-19; Psalms 132:15; Isaiah 61:1; Isaiah 66:2), it is plainly a frame of mind which those terms are meant to express. Accordingly, our translators sometimes render such words "the humble" (Psalms 10:12; Psalms 10:17), "the meek" (Psalms 22:26), "the lowly" (Proverbs 3:34), as having no reference to outward circumstances. But here the explanatory words, "in spirit" [ too (G3588) pneumati (G4151)], fix the sense to 'those who in their deepest consciousness realize their entire need' (cf. the Gr. of Luke 10:21; John 11:33; John 13:21; Acts 20:22; Romans 12:11; 1 Corinthians 5:3; Philippians 3:1). This self-emptying conviction, that 'before God we are void of everything,' lies at the foundation of all spiritual excellence, according to the teaching of Scripture. Without it we are inaccessible to the riches of Christ: with it we are in the fitting state for receiving all spiritual supplies (Revelation 3:17; Matthew 9:12).

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [Our translators rightly disregard the plural - toon (G3588) ouranoon (G3772) - here, as it is merely a literal rendering of hashaamaayim (H8064), which has no singular.] See the note at Matthew 3:2. The poor in spirit not only shall have-they already have-the kingdom. The very sense of, their poverty is begun riches. While others "walk in a vain show" [ bªtselem (H6754)] - 'in a shadow,' 'an image'-in an unreal world, taking a false view of themselves and all around them-the poor in spirit are rich in the knowledge of their real case. Having courage to look this in the face, and own it guilelessly, they feel strong in the assurance that "unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness" (Psalms 112:4); and soon it breaks forth as the morning. God wants nothing from us as the price of His saving gifts; we have but to feel our universal destitution, and cast ourselves upon His compassion (Job 33:27-18; 1 John 1:9). So the poor in spirit are enriched with the fullness of Christ, which is the kingdom in substance; and when He shall, say to them from His great white throne, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you," He will invite them merely to the full enjoyment of an already possessed inheritance.