III. EXPOSITION

5:3 – “poor in spirit” – keenly aware of being spiritually destitute and totally dependent on God.

No self-sufficiency or self-righteousness. Not socio-economic category. Spiritual paupers who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy.

“Kingdom of heaven” – Matthean circumlocution for “Kingdom of God”

Central theme of Jesus’ preaching. Matthew’s Gospel – gospel of the kingdom.

Daniel is background – 30 possible quotations, verbal parallels or allusions.

Christ reigns over his people now and promises them part of His kingdom in the future.

Note the present tense verbs used here and in the final “kingdom of heaven” with future tense verbs in between. Already/not yet eschatology. Inauguration but awaiting consummation.

“theirs” – in emphatic position in Greek. Highlights unexpected nature of the blessing and implies blessing belongs only to the poor in spirit.

Isaiah 61:1 background here – Messiah will bring good news to the poor. (Luke 4:16-21). Allusions to Isaiah 61 in first few Beatitudes.

 

5:4 – “mourning” is mourning for sin and its consequences. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Call to repentance essential element in the gospel of the Kingdom: Matt. 3:2; 4:17. Mourning shows genuineness and intensity of repentance.

3 types of Mourning in Scripture:

1) Natural sorrow – death of a loved one, etc.

2) Hopeless sorrow – remorse

3) Godly sorrow – repentance

America is laughing her way to hell. Adrian Rogers said: “Many people are strutting their way to hell thinking they are too good to be damned.”

“will be comforted” – God will act to restore broken relationship. Ultimate fulfillment in eschaton: Rev. 7:17 – “God will wipe away all tears.”

 

5:5 – “meek” – two connotations in Hebrew – 1) dependence, 2) submission.

Psalm 37:11 closest parallel – “The humble (meek) shall inherit the land.”

The meek trust in the Lord, take delight in the Lord, wait for the Lord, and put their hope in the Lord. Their way is “upright,” “righteous,” and “blameless.”

Isaiah 61:7 – exact verbal parallel to Matt 5:5b.

“earth” should be taken literally and not spiritually.

Meekness is not:

1. Natural quality
2. Niceness to dogs and cats
3. Weakness – docility, timidity, doormat
4. Compromise

Word in Greek used to describe a medicine that brings health, a gentle breeze, a broken stallion (power under control).

 

5:6 – “Hunger” and “thirst” are metaphors of intense longing. Here used of spiritual needs.

Food and water are necessities. Hunger and thirst is good – indicates life and health. The sick lose their appetite. Hunger and thirst indicate something is needed by the body.

Psalm 42:1-2

“righteousness” = personal righteousness resulting from right relationship with God.

Right living in view, not justification.

Isaiah 61:3 – “they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify Him.”

“filled” – satisfied and controlled by

 

5:7 – “Merciful” – compassionate and forgiving spirit. Matt. 6:2-4 and 18:21-35 key to understanding this. Forgiving others as an expression of gratitude to God for his forgiveness.

Proverbs 14:21 – “Blessed is the one who has mercy on the poor.”

 

5:8 – “Pure in heart” – Psalm 24:4 – “clean hands and pure heart” – one with moral integrity.

“heart” – includes emotions, intellect, will.

Internal purity emphasized rather than external purity.

“will see God” – future time when we will behold God in His glory. Not to be interpreted figuratively of visionary experience.

Psalm 24:6 – those who seek his face will see him.

The eyes see what the heart loves. When you see God, you see what he sees: Job – “I abhor myself;” Isaiah – “I am undone;” Peter – “Depart from me.”

 

5:9 – “Peacemakers” – taking two enemies and bringing them into relationship of unity.

James 3:13-4:1. This theme will be prominent later in the SM. Disciples must refuse to postpone apologies or restitution and must refuse revenge.

“Sons of God” – God will call them his children. Like Father like son.

 

5:10-12 – “persecuted”

1. Assumes persecution will occur.
2. Persecution is for Christ’s sake.
3. Future reward will more than compensate for present suffering.

Notice tense shift in verse 10 – perfect tense “those who have been persecuted.” Participles in verses 4, 6, and 7 are present tense. Persecution had already occurred and it would continue.

Two motives for persecution are mentioned:

1) “for righteousness”

2) “because of me”

3 expressions of persecution:

1) insult – mock and verbally shame

2) persecute – all forms of harassment. Chasing from town to town.

3) speak falsely – First century Christians charged with cannibalism, incest, and atheism.

“Be glad” – enjoy a state of happiness.

“Rejoice” – more intensive – overjoyed

“Theirs” is shifted to the beginning of the clause for emphasis. Kingdom belongs to them alone!

“Theirs is the kingdom of heaven” appears in vv. 3 and 10. Inclusion.

 

The Beatitudes are a series of divine reversals!

 

IV. THEOLOGY – 5 Views:

1. Albert Schweitzer – Beatitudes seen as an interim ethic designed only for what Jesus mistakenly believed would be the brief time before the in-breaking of God’s judgment.
2. Lutheranism – teaching of the law which is intended to drive the audience to the gospel.
3. Dispensationalism (older traditional form) – postpones its primary applicability to the future millennium.
4. Classical Liberalism – foundation of the “social gospel.”
5. Beatitudes, along with the Sermon on the Mount, serve as an ethic for Christians today. These character traits should epitomize all believers. The Kingdom has come and will be consummated in the future. (correct view)