The beatitudes are "blessed sayings" that come from the opening verses of the famous Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus Christ and recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. Here Jesus stated several blessings, each beginning with the phrase, "Blessed are ..." (Similar declarations appear in Jesus' Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6:20-23.) Each saying speaks of a blessing or "divine favor" that will be bestowed on the person who possesses a certain character quality.
Beatitude Meaning
The word beatitude comes from the Latin beatitudo, meaning "blessedness."
The phrase "blessed are" in each beatitude implies a current state of happiness or well-being. This expression held a powerful meaning of "divine joy and perfect happiness" to the people of Christ's day. In other words, Jesus was saying "divinely happy and fortunate are those who possess these inward qualities." While speaking of a current "blessedness," each pronouncement also promised a future reward.
The beatitudes introduce and set the tone for Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by emphasizing the humble state of humans and the righteousness of God. Each beatitude depicts the ideal heart condition of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this idyllic state, the believer experiences abundant spiritual blessings.
The Beatitudes in Scripture
The beatitudes are found in Matthew 5:3-12 and paralleled in Luke 6:20–23:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)
Many interpretations and teachings have been set forth through the principles conveyed in the beatitudes. Each beatitude is a proverb-like saying packed with meaning and worthy of study. Most scholars agree that the beatitudes give us a picture of the true disciple of God.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The phrase "poor in spirit" speaks of a spiritual condition of poverty. It describes the person who recognizes his or her need for God. "The kingdom of heaven" refers to people who acknowledge God as King. One who is poor in spirit knows he or she is spiritually bankrupt apart from Jesus Christ.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who humbly recognize their need for God, for they will enter into his kingdom."
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Those who mourn" speaks of those who express deep sorrow over sin and repent from their sins. The freedom found in forgiveness of sin and the joy of eternal salvation is the comfort of those who repent.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who mourn for their sins, for they shall receive forgiveness and life eternal."
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Similar to "the poor," "the meek" are those who submit to God's authority and make him Lord. Revelation 21:7 says God's children will "inherit all things." The meek are also imitators of Jesus Christ who exemplified gentleness and self-control.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who submit to God as Lord, for they will inherit everything he possesses."
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Hunger" and "thirst" speak of deep need and driving passion. This "righteousness" refers to Jesus Christ. To "be filled" is the satisfaction of our soul's desire.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who passionately long for Christ, for he will satisfy their souls."
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
We reap what we sow. Those who demonstrate mercy will receive mercy. Likewise, those who have received great mercy will show great mercy. Mercy is shown through forgiveness, kindness, and compassion toward others.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who show mercy through forgiveness, kindness, and compassion, for they will receive mercy."
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
The "pure in heart" are those who have been cleansed from within. This is not outward righteousness that can be seen by men, but inward holiness that only God can see. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14 that without holiness, no one will see God.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who have been purified from the inside out, being made clean and holy, for they will see God."
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
The Bible says we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation through Christ brings restored fellowship (peace) with God. 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 says God entrusts us with this same message of reconciliation to take to others.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those who have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and bring this same message of reconciliation to others. All who have peace with God are his children."
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Just as Jesus faced persecution, so will his followers. Those who endure by faith rather than hide their faith to avoid persecution are genuine followers of Christ.
Paraphrase: "Blessed are those daring enough to openly live for Christ and suffer persecution, for they will receive the kingdom of heaven."
Named from the initial words (beati sunt, “blessed are”) of those sayings in the Latin Vulgate Bible, the Beatitudes describe the blessedness of those who have certain qualities or experiences peculiar to those belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Whether in relation to religion or not, the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 verses 3-10 have been used as a model of social and spiritual justice in society. From a Christian perspective, the Beatitudes teach that people are blessed even in hard times because they will receive eternity in heaven.
Beatitude inherited its blessedness from the Latin word beatus, meaning both "happy" and "blessed." In the Bible, the Beatitudes are a series of eight blessings, such as "Blessed are those poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven." And in 1958 writer Jack Kerouac coined the term "The Beat Generation" because he ...
For the poor in spirit, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Those who mourn “shall be comforted.” The gentle “shall inherit the earth.” Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “shall be satisfied.” The merciful “shall receive mercy.” The pure in heart “shall see God.” The peacemakers “shall be called sons of God.” ...
Now, the phrase 'poor in spirit' speaks to an even deeper reality … beyond physical poverty … but to true spiritual poverty. To be poor in spirit means to acknowledge our deepest human need for God and to grow in that longing and that dependence on a daily basis.
The Beatitudes are a radically bold statement of Jesus' intent to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth, which will bring true peace and freedom for all who dare to follow him as his disciples. It is through those disciples that his kingdom will bring blessing to all of the peoples of the earth.
The Beatitudes express the idea that peace comes from peacemakers who are characterized by their poverty of spirit, their ability to mourn for the world, their lack of attachments or clinging to personal rights, their hunger for the healing of the world, their extreme mercy extended even towards their worst enemies, ...
A refined meaning of this phrase has been seen to say that those that are quiet or nullified will one day inherit the world. Meek in the Greek literature of the period most often meant gentle or soft.
To be blessed is to be granted special favor by God with resulting joy and prosperity. In the New Testament, however, the emphasis is more on spiritual rather than on material blessings. God's promise to Abraham again serves as a foundation for blessings.
In summary, the inner happiness spoken of in the Beatitudes is God's gift of blessing granted to those who choose to be disciples. This blessing is a result of the realization of a person's spiritual poverty (5:3) and an acknowledgment of one's total dependence on God (5:5).
Golden Rule, precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. . . .” This rule of conduct is a summary of the Christian's duty to his neighbour and states a fundamental ethical principle.
When asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
Named from the initial words (beati sunt, “blessed are”) of those sayings in the Latin Vulgate Bible, the Beatitudes describe the blessedness of those who have certain qualities or experiences peculiar to those belonging to the Kingdom of Heaven.
These Beatitudes are taught by Jesus as the foundations for a life of authentic Christian discipleship and the attainment of ultimate happiness. They give spirit to the Law of the Ten Commandments and bring perfection to moral life. That spirit is ultimately the spirit of love.
Purity of the heart means being made clean through the Spirit and the Word. We must put God first in every thought, word, and action. Yes, sin will try and enter. Staying in God's Word, acknowledging our sins, repenting when we sin, and asking for His forgiveness will guide us to a pure heart.
ESV: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. The Message: You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told the crowd how to live Godly lives. He illustrated the significance of followers displaying Godly lives by saying, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world”. Our actions and lives can be a positive influence on our world and point people to God.
“Blessed Are the Peacemakers, for They Will Be Called Children of God” (Matt 5:9) The seventh beatitude takes every Christian worker into the task of conflict resolution. Conflicts arise whenever people have differences of opinion.
It is the spot where Jesus is believed to have delivered his Sermon on the Mount. Overlooking the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the mount offers enchanting views of the northern part of the lake and across to the cliffs of the Golan Heights.
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Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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