The Beatitudes

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T

thepsalmist

Guest
#1
#1
MATTHEW 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

***********************************

Does anyone have any thoughts about the beatitudes?

It seems straightforward enough but as I read I can easily find things to wonder about ...

-what does "poor in spirit" really mean?
-why are peacemakers called sons of God - if we are called sons of God in Christ?
-there is inheritance of both heaven and earth mentioned throughout ... can we not be described as having more than one of these blessings? If so ... which do we inherit? For example - if I am meek and persecuted - which is mine - heaven or earth?
- What about verse 11 - are we rejoicing when men revile us for His name's sake or do we get angry and revile right back? How could we change our instinctual reactions ?

These are just a few questions at a glance ... I'm sure others can add many more ...

Anyone have any thoughts, questions, answers to offer about these sayings of Jesus?
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#3
Jul 3, 2015
56,567
26,515
113
#3
thepsalmist said:
-there is inheritance of both heaven and earth mentioned throughout ... can we not be described as having more than one of these blessings? If so ... which do we inherit? For example - if I am meek and persecuted - which is mine - heaven or earth?
Click to expand...
God makes His dwelling here with us on the new earth, so heaven
(the abode of God) essentially comes to earth. Therefore it really is both :)
 
C

Chuckt

Guest
#4
#4
thepsalmist said:
-what does "poor in spirit" really mean?
Click to expand...
Matthew 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who are poor in spirit. He means the humble, and lowly-minded, and self-abased. He means those who are deeply convinced of their own sinfulness in God’s sight. These are they who are not “wise in their own eyes and holy in their own sight.” They are not “rich and increased with goods.” They do not fancy they need nothing. They regard themselves as “wretched, and miserable and poor, and blind, and naked.” Blessed are all such! Humility is the very first letter in the alphabet of Christianity. We must begin low, if we would build high.

The Lord Jesus calls those blessed, who mourn. He means those who sorrow for sin, and grieve daily over their own short-comings. These are they who trouble themselves more about sin than about anything on earth. The remembrance of it is grievous to them. The burden of it is intolerable. Blessed are all such! “The sacrifices of God are a broken and contrite spirit.” One day they shall weep no more. “They shall be comforted.”
p.32-33, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Volume One, Matthew Mark, J.C. Ryle

John Charles Ryle (10 May 1816 - 10 June 1900) was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

Ryle was born at Macclesfield, and was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was Craven Scholar in 1836.

Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. He was a writer, pastor and an evangelical preacher.

While hearing Ephesians 2 read in church in 1838, he felt a spiritual awakening and was ordained by Bishop Sumner at Winchester in 1842. For 38 years he was a parish vicar, first at Helmingham and later at Stradbrooke, in Suffolk. He became a leader of the evangelical party in the Church of England and was noted for his doctrinal essays and polemical writings.

In his diocese, he formed a clergy pension fund for his diocese and built over forty churches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._C._Ryle
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#5
Jul 3, 2015
56,567
26,515
113
#5
thepsalmist said:
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Click to expand...
I was exceedingly blessed today, and full of joy because of it :)
 
Willie-T

Willie-T

Banned
#6
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#6
thepsalmist said:
MATTHEW 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

***********************************

Does anyone have any thoughts about the beatitudes?

It seems straightforward enough but as I read I can easily find things to wonder about ...

-what does "poor in spirit" really mean?
-why are peacemakers called sons of God - if we are called sons of God in Christ?
-there is inheritance of both heaven and earth mentioned throughout ... can we not be described as having more than one of these blessings? If so ... which do we inherit? For example - if I am meek and persecuted - which is mine - heaven or earth?
- What about verse 11 - are we rejoicing when men revile us for His name's sake or do we get angry and revile right back? How could we change our instinctual reactions ?

These are just a few questions at a glance ... I'm sure others can add many more ...

Anyone have any thoughts, questions, answers to offer about these sayings of Jesus?
Click to expand...
It is very true that Scripture interprets Scripture. So, since this actually wasn't a one-time, sitting down on a mountainside sermon, it is possible to go through the various Scriptures from whence Matthew took all those virtues, and find more complete explanations of each of them in those places.
 
G

ggs7

Guest
#7
#7
Maybe Poor in spirit = humility?

James 4:6 Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
 
P

PilgrimPassingThru

Senior Member
#8
Feb 11, 2016
2,501
40
0
#8
Heres a few too, poor and contrite spirit

Psalm 136:8 Though the LORD be high,
yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Isaiah 66:2... but to this man will I look,
even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
 
Grace777x70

Grace777x70

Banned
#9
Nov 22, 2015
20,436
1,430
0
#9
Jesus makes the "poor" in spirit...rich in Him when they get a new spirit and a new heart within them in the new creation in Christ! Those of the self-righteous think they can "earn" their way - they do not have a humble or contrite spirit to begin with.

Those that know they need a new spirit - these acknowledge their "poor in spirit" that need Christ in order to live!

Ezekiel 11:19 (NASB)
[SUP]19 [/SUP] "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#10
#10
thepsalmist said:

-why are peacemakers called sons of God - if we are called sons of God in Christ?
Click to expand...
does this help at all? :)

All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18)

as we share the Gospel, we are His instruments in making peace between God and men.


 
J

John146

Senior Member
#11
Jan 13, 2016
16,745
3,557
113
#11
One has to "spiritualize" the beatitudes to apply them to the Church Age believer. That's why all the questions about "what does this mean?" You can't take them at face value and apply them to body of Christ. The book of Matthew is Jewish in its nature, speaking of the physical kingdom promised to the Jews through the Davidic Covenant. But, if you don't view it this way, spiritualize away...
 
T

thepsalmist

Guest
#12
#12
Grace777x70 said:
Jesus makes the "poor" in spirit...rich in Him when they get a new spirit and a new heart within them in the new creation in Christ! Those of the self-righteous think they can "earn" their way - they do not have a humble or contrite spirit to begin with.

Those that know they need a new spirit - these acknowledge their "poor in spirit" that need Christ in order to live!

Ezekiel 11:19 (NASB)
[SUP]19 [/SUP] "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
Click to expand...
I agree with you. (and ggs7 and Magenta - who say the same)

One has to empty his cup before God can - or will - fill it ....
 
L

LiJo

Guest
#13
#13
thepsalmist said:
MATTHEW 5
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

***********************************

Does anyone have any thoughts about the beatitudes?

It seems straightforward enough but as I read I can easily find things to wonder about ...

-what does "poor in spirit" really mean?
-why are peacemakers called sons of God - if we are called sons of God in Christ?
-there is inheritance of both heaven and earth mentioned throughout ... can we not be described as having more than one of these blessings? If so ... which do we inherit? For example - if I am meek and persecuted - which is mine - heaven or earth?
- What about verse 11 - are we rejoicing when men revile us for His name's sake or do we get angry and revile right back? How could we change our instinctual reactions ?

These are just a few questions at a glance ... I'm sure others can add many more ...

Anyone have any thoughts, questions, answers to offer about these sayings of Jesus?
Click to expand...

For me, I view it as words to live by, in order to receive happiness and peace in life.
 
T

thepsalmist

Guest
#14
#14
Magenta said:
God makes His dwelling here with us on the new earth, so heaven
(the abode of God) essentially comes to earth. Therefore it really is both :)
Click to expand...
My understanding agrees with yours ...

The Kingdom of Heaven = the Grace of God through faith
(Gleaned from the parables Jesus taught about the kingdom)

So as far as I understand it ...

Those who have been saved live on earth AND have the Kingdom of heaven within.
 
T

thepsalmist

Guest
#15
#15
LiJo said:
For me, I view it as words to live by, in order to receive happiness and peace in life.
Click to expand...
Words to live by- for sure!

Only Grace can provide true joy and peace in life ----- Jesus IS the LIFE :)
 
T

thepsalmist

Guest
#16
#16
John146 said:
One has to "spiritualize" the beatitudes to apply them to the Church Age believer. That's why all the questions about "what does this mean?" You can't take them at face value and apply them to body of Christ. The book of Matthew is Jewish in its nature, speaking of the physical kingdom promised to the Jews through the Davidic Covenant. But, if you don't view it this way, spiritualize away...
Click to expand...
John 3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
 
J

John146

Senior Member
#17
Jan 13, 2016
16,745
3,557
113
#17
Great passage and it's prophetic in nature. The kingdom of God is the context here, not kingdom of heaven.


thepsalmist said:
John 3
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"
Click to expand...
 
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