I would also like to share with you some things about the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5. There are 9 of them and in the original language they are presented in progressive form meaning the second beatitude is based on the first, and the third is based on the second, and the fourth is based on the third, and so on.
The first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is the foundation for all the others, and all the others are built upon that. All 9 beatitudes begin with the Greek word MAKARIOS and it is the word that is translated blessed in our English bibles. In Greek, MAKARIOS means to experience the fullness of something.
Many Bible translations and commentaries will tell you that the word blessed means "Oh how happy," and that the Lord is presenting how to have a happy life. But technically from the original language, (Greek), and its presentation, what the Lord is saying here is how the disciples of the kingdom of God will experience all the fullness of who God is by these principles.
So principle number 1 in Verse 3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The word "poor" in Greek, PTOKOS, was first used by Plato to describe the beggars, not poor people, but worse than poor people, beggars! Anybody in a position that has to beg to survive is a PTOKOS. In Luke Chapter 16, Lazarus was a beggar.
So when we are talking about a beggar and we are talking about poor "in spirit," the Lord is saying that the number one principle, because the first thing Jesus says is "blessed are the poor in spirit," is that those who that realize their poverty, they are the ones who are going to come to Christ.
Remember, these are progressive. A person can't go any further than this if they don't realize the depravity of their spiritual condition. Mourning in Matthew 5:4 is attached to the realization of the poverty of one's spiritual condition, and mourning over that spiritual condition.
Actually in every day Greek MAKARIOS means " You are very happy". Why? Because one who becomes like that goes to Heaven, but I would like to know how Jesus said it in Hebrew/Aramaic, what is the actual neaning of that Jewish word?
A person who meets this definition is someone who fears God and has no will but to seek and serve God without reservation. This verse comes to mind:
Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
The Beatitudes is a carefully constructed teaching on the way of salvation and entry into the Kingdom of Heaven, and acknowledging the poverty of our spirit is where our spiritual journey begins. To be spiritually poor is to acknowledge there is something missing deep inside of us. This acknowledgment brings about the repentance necessary for salvation, and opens the door to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Following this we have blessed are those who mourn . It is the Holy Spirit that brings our internal poverty and brokenness to the surface, and the mourning we experience here can be very deep; our hearts are then prepared to encounter the comforting of the LORD, as promised - a comforting we have never before known.
Thank-you so much, Dorothy and also for explaining why the beatitudes are so important. That was a neat realization that they are presented to show us the way to salvation. Ultimately Jesus is our only means to salvation, but we need the beatitudes to show us the steps we must make with His power.
Jesus begins by saying that the poor in spirit are blessed. This is not a reference to money or finances. To be "poor in spirit" is the opposite of being self-confident or self-reliant, especially in any spiritual sense. The poor in spirit recognize they are incapable of providing for themselves by their own strength, goodness, or righteousness. They know themselves to be spiritually bankrupt of true goodness. They cannot hope to bargain or earn their way into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus says, though, that they are blessed because the kingdom of heaven is theirs already. In other words, admission that one does not deserve a place in God's kingdom is a requirement for entrance into that kingdom. This is the opposite of assuming one has earned citizenship by his own merit.
Even as part of a sermon from Jesus, these words need to be understood in careful context. Jesus is not teaching, in this one single verse, every detail of the plan of salvation. As He continues to teach, Jesus will be clear-and the New Testament will emphasize-that nobody comes to the Father except through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
A corresponding attitude to salvation is that of being poor in spirit. The kingdom of heaven will be populated by the humble and not the arrogant. In that way, the poor in spirit are blessed.
Dear "Paula", this was a good question. Together with Jesus we have the Holy Spirit, soul and body.
And one thing is for sure. With knowledge also comes responsibility. We have always heard that we should help those who are weaker, so even if we consider ourselves important. We are not at all before God, there we are equal. But when one is poor in spirit like here. Then i see most children, those ppl who are demented, those who have not heard the word of the Lord and received it openly. Innocent people who have not experienced the Holy Spirit. These are weak in the Spirit.
But if this applies to the believers who then know everything, i do not know how it goes. Maybe someone else on the web knows?
Because we know good and bad, right? The apostle Paul has something interesting to say in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Maybe you got some clarity :)
Stay blessed with all your mind and spirit in the Name of the Lord Jesus, love u in Christ.
I would also like to share with you some things about the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5. There are 9 of them and in the original language they are presented in progressive form meaning the second beatitude is based on the first, and the third is based on the second, and the fourth is based on the third, and so on.
The first Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" is the foundation for all the others, and all the others are built upon that. All 9 beatitudes begin with the Greek word MAKARIOS and it is the word that is translated blessed in our English bibles. In Greek, MAKARIOS means to experience the fullness of something.
Many Bible translations and commentaries will tell you that the word blessed means "Oh how happy," and that the Lord is presenting how to have a happy life. But technically from the original language, (Greek), and its presentation, what the Lord is saying here is how the disciples of the kingdom of God will experience all the fullness of who God is by these principles.
So principle number 1 in Verse 3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The word "poor" in Greek, PTOKOS, was first used by Plato to describe the beggars, not poor people, but worse than poor people, beggars! Anybody in a position that has to beg to survive is a PTOKOS. In Luke Chapter 16, Lazarus was a beggar.
So when we are talking about a beggar and we are talking about poor "in spirit," the Lord is saying that the number one principle, because the first thing Jesus says is "blessed are the poor in spirit," is that those who that realize their poverty, they are the ones who are going to come to Christ.
Remember, these are progressive. A person can't go any further than this if they don't realize the depravity of their spiritual condition. Mourning in Matthew 5:4 is attached to the realization of the poverty of one's spiritual condition, and mourning over that spiritual condition.
PS: In ancient Greece MAKARES were only the Gods.
Isaiah 66:2
For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Following this we have blessed are those who mourn . It is the Holy Spirit that brings our internal poverty and brokenness to the surface, and the mourning we experience here can be very deep; our hearts are then prepared to encounter the comforting of the LORD, as promised - a comforting we have never before known.
Jesus says, though, that they are blessed because the kingdom of heaven is theirs already. In other words, admission that one does not deserve a place in God's kingdom is a requirement for entrance into that kingdom. This is the opposite of assuming one has earned citizenship by his own merit.
Even as part of a sermon from Jesus, these words need to be understood in careful context. Jesus is not teaching, in this one single verse, every detail of the plan of salvation. As He continues to teach, Jesus will be clear-and the New Testament will emphasize-that nobody comes to the Father except through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
A corresponding attitude to salvation is that of being poor in spirit. The kingdom of heaven will be populated by the humble and not the arrogant. In that way, the poor in spirit are blessed.
And one thing is for sure. With knowledge also comes responsibility. We have always heard that we should help those who are weaker, so even if we consider ourselves important. We are not at all before God, there we are equal. But when one is poor in spirit like here. Then i see most children, those ppl who are demented, those who have not heard the word of the Lord and received it openly. Innocent people who have not experienced the Holy Spirit. These are weak in the Spirit.
But if this applies to the believers who then know everything, i do not know how it goes. Maybe someone else on the web knows?
Because we know good and bad, right? The apostle Paul has something interesting to say in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Maybe you got some clarity :)
Stay blessed with all your mind and spirit in the Name of the Lord Jesus, love u in Christ.
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