Bible Study Lesson:
Matthew 5: 3 -12
- Beatitudes are referred to the account of ‘Sermon on the Mount’ preached by Jesus Christ, recorded in Matthew 5: 3-12 in the Bible.
- It is one of the most quoted passage of Bible.
- Similar list of beatitudes is also given in Luke 6:20-23.
- This bible study lesson is an eight part series on the Beatitudes
. In this part, we will look at the first of the beatitude “Blessed are the Poor in the Spirit”.
Q. What is the meaning of word ‘Beatitude’? And how does it relate to word ‘Blessed’ used in Matthew 5?
- The word ‘Beatitude’ is not found in the Engli
sh bible. But it is derived from Latin word ‘Beatus’ meaning ‘Happy’ or ‘Blessed’, the meaning of which is very close to original Greek word that Jesus used . - The Greek word for ‘Blessed’ is ‘Makarioi’ which means ‘happy, supremely blessed, and fortunate’.
Before we get into the beatitudes, let us look at the similarity and differences in the gospel accounts of Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23.
- In Matthew, all the 8 beatitudes are written in third person (‘those’), except the last one.
- On the other hand, in Luke, Beatitudes are in second person (“you”), followed by the list of ‘Woes’ as well. (Luke 6:24-26)
- The places where Jesus preached the sermon are different. (Mat 5:1 – ‘On the Mount’ and Luke 6:17 – ‘On the plain’)
- Bible scholars differs on their views regarding these two accounts, whether they are
- Different records of the same sermon, or
- Two different sermons with similar contents
- Peoples often point out to such differences to discredit the authenticity and reliability of gospel records. But these minor differences actually serve as an evidence of the genuineness of these records. [Consider an example of Professor giving homework to his students. If two students have identical, word by word answers, Professor would first suspect ‘copying or cheating’!]
- Apart from these minor differences, there is a remarkable unity and order of thought and substance in the gospels.
The Beatitudes – The Great Paradox
- The Beatitudes are the great contrast to the worldly motion of ‘blessedness’ and ‘happiness’. It is no wonder that it does not make sense and almost seems contradiction to the carnal mind. “For the message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.” (1st Cor 1:18)
- The beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount also defied the great expectations of an earthly kingdom, which Jews thought Messiah would establish! For how can you establish a worldly kingdom by the Weak and the Meek? How can you be merciful to your enemies? How can you be peacemakers, if you are to overturn a kingdom (Roman Empire)? How can you let others persecute and insult you? It is obvious that Jesus was not talking about earthly kingdom. But he was promising ‘Kingdom of Heaven’. So let us look at the characteristics to inherit this ‘Kingdom of Heaven’.
Beatitude 1 : Poor In Spirit
- ‘Poor in Spirit’ is a quite difficult phrase to understand. The word for ‘poor’ in Greek (‘Ptochos‘) literally means having nothing, reduced to begging, like a beggar, totally broke. (Luke 6:20 uses only ‘poor’ in his version of sermon!)
- While monetary poverty can also be inferred from these verses, what Jesus really meant was spiritual poverty.
- You can be really poor and yet be arrogant and prideful, or you can be rich and still be poor in the spirit. (King David in Old Testament is great example of this, in spite of being King, he had a humble and contrite heart.)
- ‘Spiritual poor’ is exactly what it sounds like. It is a state when you realize that you have nothing and need constant help.
- We have to be careful here not to compare outward modesty with this characteristics. I strongly believe that it is a picture of a man with humble and broken heart who constantly need help from God for his very existence.
- This image is a stark contrast to the self-contained, self-sufficient spirit which world long for. But in the Kingdom of Heaven, this is the most important qualification, you can have.
- Isaiah 66:1-2: “Thus says the LORD, “Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”
- Isaiah 57:15: “For thus says the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite.”
- Psalms 51 is a great example of a man who is craving for God’s spirit. (This Psalm is King David’s confession and repentance after he committed adultery with Bathsheba.)
- Ps 51:10 : “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
- Ps 51:12 : “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.”
- Ps 51:17 : “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
- The opposite of ‘Poor in Spirit’ is ‘proud in spirit’. The Pride of life is one of the three roots of sin and independence from God. (1 John 2:16)
- Poverty of spirit is the root of all virtues. It is the state of heart; it is how you view yourself in light of God. In this regard, this first beatitude is the root from which all other beatitudes grows.
The Promise: Kingdom of Heaven
- ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ is a peculiar title only found in the gospel of Matthew. This term is used interchangeably with ‘Kingdom of God’ in other gospels. Kingdom of Heaven is the messianic kingdom promised in old testament, to be established by Messiah. (Daniel 2:44) Matthew represents Jesus as the savior and king prophesied in old testament.
- Kingdom of God (Heaven) is in twofold:
- Already Here: Luke 17:20-21: “Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”
- Yet to Come: Kingdom of Heaven will be fully realized and established when Christ will come as a King and Ruler over all earth. (Daniel 7: 13,14,27)
- What a blessed hope and promise, Jesus offers to those who are poor in the spirit. “Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”
Practical Applications:
- How do you view yourself in light of this beatitude?
- How do you view others?
- Do your attitudes reflect your beliefs?
Other Resource: The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character (John Stott Bible Studies)
Part 1: Beatitudes: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Part 2: Blessed are those Who Mourn: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 3: Blessed are the Meek: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 4: Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 5: Blessed are the Merciful: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 6: Blessed are the Pure in heart: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers: Beatitudes Bible Study Series
Part 8: Beatitudes: Blessed are the Persecuted
More Bible Study Lessons:
- Beatitudes: Meaning and List
- Blessed are the Peacemakers – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 7 of 8
- Blessed are Those who Mourn – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 2 of 8
- Blessed are Pure in Heart – Beatitudes – Part 6 of 8
- Blessed are the Meek – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 3 of 8
I was moved with what you said that truly the Bible is a great paradox. One great reason why we can’t expect for the unbelievers to believe and agree with us easily when we speak about our faith because it may seem foolish to them but it’s treasure before us for the Lord’s glory!
i am really glad that there is such an in-depth study available online!
these lessons are a true blessing to me!
Sounds like Spurgeon, dude – great post!
This is truly inspirational and knowledgeable for those who seek to know the truth. Thanks for the eye opening.
I just want to mention… I just noticed a difference as to WHO Jesus was speaking to and wanted to know if this was legit. In Matt. 5 Jesus is speaking to a crowd, while in Luke 6 Jesus in speaking to his disciples. Is that correct?
I definitely think that you have done a good job with this wordpress site it looks really good and you have a ton of great information as well, I know I found what I was searching for anyway. Just thought I would take the time to comment, again keep up the good work
Thanks Dan.
I like the the way the topic is explained, i am very much moved with such knowledge and understand given us by the Holy Spirit.
but i am confuse and need help as to what Jesus meant when he said in luke 17:20-21″…for the kingdom of God is within you.” was He saying that the kingdom of God was within our hearts as individual or with a group of people like in a society? Pls help
Excuse me…. but Jesus did not speak Greek. He spoke Aramaic. Thus, everyone seems to miss the point of the sermon since we reflect the latin or greek philosophy which didn’t have a concept for blessedness. Bless-ed and Blessed are not the same thing. The beatitudes are not about being happy or blessed even though those may be a by-product. When Jesus referred to Bless-ed, he was not talking about an emotional state, but a spiritual state, e.g. “bless-ed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. Bless-ed means “one set aside as a child of God”, or “those who will be called Saints”, or “holy and blameless in His sight”, or “a new creation in Christ” and other similar phrases that denote the spiritual heart condition that gives rise to the blessedness and the stated spiritual reward. It is NOT about blessings nor about poor people, or downtrodden people, or gentle apologetic people. The beatitudes are totally about the heart condition required to be saved and to grow in the Lord, and then to go out and join the Great Commission. They are a PhD course in discipleship!! We completely miss the point by thinking they are about blessings … a word which only means “showered with undeserved gifts.”
I thank our maker for what he is doing even in the life of the unbelievers. Our sermon is breaking hedges everywhere, this is the fervent wish God. Beloved let us use our beatitude to propagate the gospel for it is very effective. thank you.
You are a blessing to me continuie doing that may the Lord Bless you more.
Since God every time is ever inspiring Scriptures with His power to be stated reasonable points to write God`s points in the Bible because God blessed them ,
and again God Bless the people who always follows God`s commence in the Bible and by the help of Holy Spirit ,all Christians will be disciplined by His word in the Bible. Thanks God Bless.
Denmark
i need ur assistance by sending me every word of god every morning
Keep the good work going
I am blessed to find this programm, i was just googling to understand the beatitudes more, just after a dream on the beatitudes, Its a testimony to me because i did not go for ministry today because i am in need of seeing God do something new in the church ministry,And lucky enough in a drean i got mathew 5:3-ff the beatitudes.
I want to have studies on the bible.
Apostle Jimmy Ogwang
Kampala Uganda
Very touching. Send me dairy lessons on the beatitudes