The Beatitudes Explained

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
Matthew 5:2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

The initial statements in Jesus' 'Sermon on the Mount' in Matthew chapter 5 are known as the Beatitudes. Although the term 'Beatitude' does not appear in the Bible, it is defined as meaning 'Supreme Blessedness.' These statements describe the heart attitudes that lead to being in a supremely blessed or happy condition.

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What does it mean to be 'poor in spirit'? The term 'poor' typically denotes being beggarly, and lacking in wealth or status. However, in this context, it refers not to material poverty but to a poverty of spirit. Biblically, the spirit represents the heart, the essence of a person, the inner self, or what Peter calls the 'hidden man of the heart.'

Lowly in Heart

In Matthew chapter 11, Jesus made a statement that conveys a similar meaning as the expression 'poor in spirit.'

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and LOWLY IN HEART: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Jesus said, "I am meek and lowly in heart." The term 'meek' refers to being gentle and mild in disposition, while 'lowly' in this context means not rising far from the ground. The word 'heart' here again signifies the inner self or spirit. Thus, 'lowly in heart' conveys a similar meaning to 'poor in spirit.' This refers to humility of heart and mind, characterized by a person who maintains a modest view of themselves and does not elevate themselves above what they should.

Trust in God

Humility isn't about having low self-esteem or about undervaluing oneself, which negatively affects a person, but rather it’s about avoiding the overestimation of one's own qualities and capabilities. The one who is humble is the one who is able to trust in God and in His ability, rather than trusting in and depending upon himself. Without humility, it is nearly impossible to trust God.

Humility involves recognizing our limitations and understanding that our strengths and talents are gifts from God. It is about acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient and that we need God's guidance and support in our lives. Blessed is the person who is fully aware of his need for God in his life.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

For instance, in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, Jesus illustrates the difference between pride and humility, particularly from the Lord’s perspective.

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee, while exalting himself above the publican, failed to recognize his own sinful condition before the Lord. He boasts about his own righteousness, his own good works, and so forth, while the tax collector humbly asks for God's mercy, saying, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Jesus concluded that the publican, the tax collector who humbled himself, went home justified before God. He ended the parable with the statement, "for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Don’t think too Highly of Yourself

Other scripture verses support this perspective. The Apostle Paul expressed a similar idea in Romans chapter 12.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

God Resists the Proud

Peter gives more insight into this in 1 Peter, chapter 5, exhorting us to be clothed with humility. Put it on like a garment.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for GOD RESISTETH THE PROUD, AND GIVETH GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Grace to the Humble

Peter discusses the importance of cultivating a humble heart, stressing the need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt us, rather than seeking our own self-promotion. He references an Old Testament scripture that states the LORD grants grace, or special favor, to the humble.

Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

Referring back to Matthew 5:3, Jesus continued, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The kingdom of heaven is granted to the humble. One enters into a saving knowledge of the kingdom by humbling oneself, acknowledging their sinful state, seeking forgiveness, and accepting salvation through Christ. Therefore, the kingdom truly belongs to those who are humble in heart and poor in spirit.

Blessed are the Humble

So then, Matthew 5:3 is saying, blessed are the humble of heart, for the kingdom of heaven, and all its divine goodness, belongs to them.

Beatitudes continued in Blessed are they that Mourn

The next Beatitude is Blessed are They that Mourn