The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)

What is a Beatitude?

The word Beatitude comes from the Latin word “beatitudo”, which means “blessedness”. Beatitude is a state of utmostUtmost means the greatest or most extreme extent or amount. More bliss or supreme blessedness.

The Beatitudes are a series of blessings that are found in the fifth chapter of Matthew in the New Testament of the Bible.

The Beatitudes in the Bible:

The Beatitudes in the Bible are as follows:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven: This means Blessed are those who humbly recognize and acknowledge that they need God in their lives in everything they do because they will enter the Kingdom of God.

2. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted: This means Blessed are those who express deep sorrow for their sins and repent sincerely because they shall be forgiven and receive Eternal life.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth: This means Blessed are those who submit to God’s authority and see Him as their Lord because they will inherit everything God possesses.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled: This means Blessed are those who have a deep need to serve God passionately because God will satisfy and fill their souls.

5. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy: This means Blessed are those who show mercy to others through forgiveness, kindness and compassion because they will also receive mercy.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God: “Pure in heart” here refers to a heart that has been cleansed of evil and longs to serve God. It is not an outward righteousness that can only be seen by men but an internal righteousness that is seen by God. This beatitude means Blessed are those who have been purified and holy internally with hearts that are for God because they will see Him (that is, God).

7. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God: This means Blessed are those who have been able to have a great relationship with God through Jesus Christ and show others how to do the same because everyone who has peace with God and brings peace to others is God’s child.

8. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God: This means Blessed are those who live their lives openly for Christ’s sake and suffer harsh judgement and persecution because of Jesus Christ for they will receive the Kingdom of Heaven.

9. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you: Here, Jesus confirms that we as Christians will experience persecution, but He tells us to respond through rejoicing and gladness. Persecution makes us spiritually stronger and brings us closer to God.