The Beatitudes are the attitudes – what we think in our hearts, our outlook on life – that are in our lives as believers. ~Warren W. Wiersbe

Jesus said we are blessed. Blessed is “enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God.” [W]

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are the [meek] gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
• Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ~Matthew 5:3-10 WEB

“Jesus turned the concept of blessing into an inner richness of spirit, which was possible to experience even in the midst of external poverty and distress. In Jesus’ terms, to be blessed was to have a relationship with God, who satisfies the soul fully, now and forever. Jesus did not teach ‘blessed will be’ but rather, ‘blessed are.’ A life of blessing can begin now, grow and flourish, and culminate in future eternity.” [B 37]

“The Beatitudes demonstrate that the way to heavenly blessedness is opposite the worldly path people normally follow to find happiness. The worldly idea is that happiness is found in riches, merriment, abundance, leisure, and such things. The real truth is the very opposite. In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the character of true faith.” [MA 1129]

“The main theme is true righteousness. The religious leaders had an artificial, external righteousness based on law. But the righteousness Jesus described is a true and vital righteousness that begins internally, in the heart. The Pharisees were concerned about the minute details of conduct, but they neglected the major matter of character. Conduct flows out of character.” [WC 18]

Conduct flows out of character. Christian character flows from within. ~Warren W. Wiersbe

Jesus explains “what true righteousness is. Jesus began with a positive emphasis on righteous character and the blessings that it brings to the life of the believer. The Pharisees taught that righteousness was an external thing, a matter of obeying rules and regulations. Righteousness could be measured by praying, giving, fasting, etc.”

“In the Beatitudes and the pictures of believers, Jesus described Christian character that flowed from within. ‘Blessed’ implied an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that did not depend on outward circumstances for happiness. This is what the Lord offers those who trust Him.” [WC 18-19]

“The Scripture tells us God blesses the person who has a heart for Him, a desire to know Him, and who is obedient to the Spirit of God.” [B 37]

Kingdom of Heaven

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! ~Matthew 5:3 AMPC

“To be poor in spirit means to be humble, to have a correct estimate of oneself. ‘Poor in spirit’ is the opposite of the world’s attitudes of self-praise and self-assertion. It is honesty with ourselves: we know ourselves, accept ourselves, and try to be ourselves to the glory of God.” [WC 19]

“The kingdom of heaven here means the reign of God in the heart and life.” [R 40]

To be poor in spirit is “our attitude toward ourselves in which we feel our need and admit it. We must be empty before we can be full. The world promotes self-sufficiency, yet God dwells with the person whose heart is broken. This means a proper attitude toward self, realizing how weak we are apart from Christ.” [WO 27-28]

“The opposite of self-sufficiency, spiritual poverty includes the deep humility of recognizing one’s utter spiritual bankruptcy apart from God. It describes those who are acutely conscious that we are lost and hopeless apart from divine grace.” [MA 1129]

“This poverty of spirit is a gracious disposition of soul, by which we are emptied of self, in order to be filled with Jesus Christ. Job was poor in spirit, when he blessed God in taking away, as well as giving.” [MH]

Comforted

Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! ~Matthew 5:4 AMPC

To mourn speaks of “our attitude toward sin. This is sincere sorrow for sin, our sin, and the sins of others. Sin breaks God’s heart. Peter mourned with godly sorrow and was forgiven; Judas had remorse or the sorrow of the world, and he took his life.” [WO 27-28]

“Mourning over sin means having the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). The ‘comfort’ is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation.” [MA 1129]

“Those who mourn are blessed; a day of comfort awaits them. This does not refer to mourning because of life. It is the sorrow that one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It 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, its rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy.”

“These mourners shall be comforted in the coming day when ‘God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 21:4). Believers do all their mourning in this life; for unbelievers, today’s grief is only a foretaste of eternal sorrow.” [MD 1127]

“The person who mourns his sin is in precisely the right position to receive God’s forgiveness and the comfort that comes when a person is freed from guilt and shame. (The person who feels no sorrow for his sin will not be open to receiving God’s forgiveness or experience the tremendous freedom that forgiveness produces in the human heart.)” [B 38]

Inherit the Earth

Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! ~Matthew 5:5 AMPC

“Jesus lifted the word [meek] to a nobility never attained before. The English word ‘meek’ has largely lost the fine blend of spiritual poise and strength meant by the Master. Jesus calls Himself ‘meek and lowly in heart’ (Matthew 11:29). It is the gentleness of strength.” [R 41]

“To be meek is to be humble and willing to be led by the Spirit of God.” [B 37]

“Meekness is the opposite of being out of control. It is not weakness but supreme self-control empowered by the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). For they shall inherit the earth quotes Psalm 37:11.” [MA 1129]

The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His Word, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle towards all men (Titus 3:2).

Who can bear provocation without being inflamed by it; are either silent, or return a soft answer; who can be cool when others are hot; and in their patience keep possession of their own souls.

They are the meek, who are rarely provoked; who would rather forgive twenty injuries than revenge one, having the rule of their own spirits. ~Matthew Henry

“The meek shall inherit the earth. By purposefully taking Christ’s spirit on them, they become meek or gentle. The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.” [MD 1127]

Filled and Satisfied

Blessed and fortunate and happy and spiritually prosperous (in that state in which the born-again child of God enjoys His favor and salvation) are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God), for they shall be completely satisfied! ~Matthew 5:6 AMPC

“Hunger and thirst for righteousness speak of those who seek God’s righteousness rather than attempt to establish a righteousness of their own (Romans 10:3, Philippians 3:9). God’s righteousness will fill those who seek it; it will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God.” [MA 1129]

“Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are promised satisfaction. These people have a passion for righteousness in their own lives; they long to see honesty, integrity, and justice in society; they look for practical holiness in the church.” [MD 1127]

A thirst no earthly stream can satisfy, a hunger that must feed on Christ or die. ~Gamaliel Bradford

“‘Those who hunger’ is better rendered ‘the hungering ones,’ indicating constant satisfaction with God’s righteousness, expending the received energy and hungering anew over and over as with physical hunger.” [KW 1264]

“Hunger and thirst are appetites that return frequently and call for fresh satisfaction, and daily fresh supplies of grace. The quickened soul calls for constant meals of righteousness, grace to do the work of every day in its day, as the living body calls for food.” [MH]

Receive Mercy

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! ~Matthew 5:7 AMPC

“To be merciful is to be actively compassionate. In one sense, it means to withhold punishment from offenders who deserve it. In a wider sense, it means to help others in need who cannot help themselves. God showed mercy in sparing us from the judgment which our sins deserved and in demonstrating kindness to us through the saving work of Christ. We imitate God when we have compassion.” [MD 1127]

“To be merciful is to be quick to forgive and extend mercy to others.” [B 37]

“The outward demonstration of the Christian character is shown in ‘mercifulness.’ This is the attitude of the Christian in empathizing with the unbeliever and suffering with him the consequences of his sin and doing everything possible to relieve the tragic results. Only God can affect grace, but we are admonished to show mercy and be ‘merciful,’ to alleviate the consequences of sin.” [KW 1264]

We Will See God

Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God’s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! ~Matthew 5:8 AMPC

“The pure in heart are given the assurance that they shall see God. A pure-hearted person is one whose motives are unmixed, whose thoughts are holy, and whose conscience is clean. The expression they shall see God may be understood in several ways.

• First, the pure in heart see God now through fellowship in the Word and the Spirit.
• Second, they sometimes have a supernatural appearance, or vision, of the Lord, presented to them.
• Third, they shall see God in the Person of Jesus when He comes again.
• Fourth, they shall see God in eternity.” [MD 1127]

“Purity of heart is not something that is achieved once and for all, but it is a continuous cleansing that the believer experiences.” [KW 1264]

When we intentionally keep “our lives clean; holiness is happiness to us, and we want no substitutes. Not sinlessness, but the truth within. It means a single heart, not divided between God and the world.” [WO 28-29]

“To be pure in heart is to have a clear conscience and godly motives.” [B 37]

Called Children of God

Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God! ~Matthew 5:9 AMPC

“Peacemakers are sons of God because, like God, they pursue reconciliation with others, just as God has extended Himself to reconcile people to Himself.” [MC 1461]

“Peacemaking is not simply trying to stop the feuding between nations and people, but bringing the peace of God that the believer has experienced to his fellow human beings.” [KW 1264]

“Peacemakers are called sons of God. This is not how they become sons of God – that can only happen by receiving Jesus Christ as Savior (John 1:12). By making peace, believers manifest themselves as sons of God, and God will one day acknowledge them as people who bear the family likeness.” [MD 1128]

To be a peacemaker is to seek to bring others into reconciliation with God the Father. ~Blackaby

“The peacemakers shall be called the sons of God. Notice the Lord is not speaking about people with a peaceful disposition or those who love peace. He is referring to those who actively intervene to make peace. The natural approach is to watch strife from the sidelines. The divine approach is to take positive action toward creating peace.” [MD 1128]

Wiersbe states, “As Christians, we share the Gospel of peace. We bring peace, between people and God and between those who are at odds with each other. Titus 3:3 describes this world at war. Christians have the Gospel of peace on their feet, so that wherever they go, they bring peace.”

“This is not ‘peace at any price,’ for holiness is more important than a peace based on sin. Compromise is not peace, but Christians [need] not be contentious as they contend for the faith.” [WO 28-29]

Kingdom of Heaven Attained

Blessed and happy and enviably fortunate and spiritually prosperous (in the state in which the born-again child of God enjoys and finds satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of his outward conditions) are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (for being and doing right), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven! ~Matthew 5:10 AMPC

“Those who are persecuted, not for their own wrongdoings, but for righteousness’ sake. The kingdom of heaven is promised to those believers who suffer for doing right. Their integrity condemns then ungodly world and brings out its hostility. People hate a righteous life because it exposes their own unrighteousness.” [MD 1128]

Jesus said those who are “persecuted for righteousness’ sake are in precisely the right position to live as full citizens in the kingdom of heaven on this earth and to receive great reward in heaven.”

“To be a citizen of the kingdom of heaven means to have open and free access to God the Father, to have an assurance that God is in control of all things at all times, and therefore, to have an internal wellspring of joy, peace, faith, and love that is inexhaustible and unexplainable.” [B39]

“Our attitude toward the world. It is not easy to be a dedicated Christian. Our society is not a friend to God or God’s people. Whether we like it or not, there is a conflict between us and the world.”

“Why? Because we are different from the world and we have different attitudes. The world praises pride, not humility. The world endorses sin, especially if you ‘get away with it.’ The world is at war with God, while God is seeking to reconcile His enemies and make them His children.”

“We must expect to be persecuted if we are living as God wants us to live. But we must be sure that our suffering is not due to our own foolishness or disobedience.” [WC 19]

Blessed Are You

Blessed are you as you enjoy spiritual happiness and the favor of God today. Today, may you be blessed by God.

• Being poor in spirit by walking in humility
• Mourning sin through godly sorrow and repentance
• Walking in meekness [gentleness or humility] by allowing the Spirit of God to control you
• Hungering and thirsting for His righteousness (Christ Himself)
• Showing mercy through active compassion towards others
• Walking in purity of heart
• Acting as a peacemaker through reconciliation with God and man
• Receiving the grace of God when persecuted for righteousness’ sake

By intentionally acting with these attitudes, we will experience comfort, we will inherit the earth, we will be filled, we will receive mercy, we will see God, we will be called children of God, and we will experience the Kingdom of Heaven. Hallelujah!

Recommendation:

Count Your Blessings – Cultivate Thankfulness https://strengthwithdignity.com/cultivate-thankfulness/

Trust in the Lord https://strengthwithdignity.com/trust-in-the-lord/

Life is Temporary https://strengthwithdignity.com/temporary/

References:

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC). Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation.

Blackaby, Henry, Richard, Thomas, Melvin and Norman. Encounters with God – The Gospel of Matthew. [B] Thomas Nelson, 2007, pages 37-39. [Kindle Edition]

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [MA] Published by Thomas Nelson, 2005, page 1129.

MacDonald, William. The Believer’s Bible Commentary. [MD] Thomas Nelson, 2016, pages 1126-1128.

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible. [MH] Originally written in 1706. Kindle Edition published November 7, 2010.

Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Volume I, The Gospel According to Matthew. [R] Published by the Sunday School Board of the SBC, 1930. Matthew V, pages 38-42.

The Hebrew – Greek Key Word Study Bible – NASB. [KW] Published by AMG, 2008, page 1264. [NASB published by The Lockman Foundation, 1977]

The Moody Bible Commentary. [MC] General Editors: Michael Rydelnik and Michael Van Laningham. Moody Publishers, 2014, page 1461.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. [W] Retrieved December 2, 2021, from http://webstersdictionary1828.com/

Wiersbe, Warren B. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary: The Complete New Testament. [WC] Published by David C. Cook, 2007, pages 18-19.

Wiersbe, Warren B. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. [WO] Published by David C. Cook, 1992, pages 27-29.

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member  #bgbg2