Scripture Study: Matthew 5:1-16

From: Young Christian: Volume 2, 1912

Matthew 5:1‑16 • 5 min. read • grade level: 6

The ministry and miracles of the Lord had attracted the multitude. He took an elevated place and sat down and taught His disciples in the hearing of the multitude. As the prophet, He tells them the character that suited His kingdom. It is His own character that comes out in it all.

Immanuel (Isa. 7:14; 9:6¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)) was here among men. He knew what was before Him; He was rejected and despised of men because of the lowly place He took in grace. His people share with Him in His rejection.

The believing remnant of the Jews, the disciples in that day, were brought into the church at Pentecost. The believing remnant of the tribulation period will share the kingdom in the millennial age. Believers now are a heavenly people. We are children of the Father; members of the body of Christ; temples of the Holy Spirit. The principles contained in the sermon on the mount apply to us also, but we need to notice the above distinction from those who had an earthly calling.

Matthew 5:3-12³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. ⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. ⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. ¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:3‑12) is the character and portion of those who are of the kingdom.

Matthew 5:13-16¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. ¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13‑16) is their position in the world.

Matthew 5:17-48¹⁷Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. ¹⁸For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ¹⁹Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. ²¹Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: ²²But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; ²⁴Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. ²⁵Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. ²⁶Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. ²⁷Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ²⁹And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³¹It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: ³²But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. ³³Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: ³⁴But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: ³⁵Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. ³⁷But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. ³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. ⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. ⁴³Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? ⁴⁷And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? ⁴⁸Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:17‑48) is the connection between the principles of the kingdom and the law.

Let us look at them a little in detail.

Matthew 5:3³Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3), “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is accepting a despised place; it is not seeking great things for self in a scene that is contrary to God—these possess the kingdom.

Christ’s character is seen in all these as the example for us. What He taught is what He is (John 8:25²⁵Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. (John 8:25); see new translation.)

Matthew 5:4⁴Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4). “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” This is mourning before God and in sympathy with Him over the sinful condition of men. God comforts them with promise of blessing in which they shall share. (See Mark 7:34; 8:12³⁴And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. (Mark 7:34)
¹²And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. (Mark 8:12); John 11:33, 35³³When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, (John 11:33)
³⁵Jesus wept. (John 11:35)).

Matthew 5:5⁵Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5). “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness does not maintain its own rights; it does not retaliate, it rather suffers wrong; but God defends the meek. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Matt. 11:29²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29); Psa. 22:26; 25:9; 37:11²⁶The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. (Psalm 22:26)
⁹The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9)
¹¹But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)). “They shall inherit the earth” applies specially to the earthly calling; but we who are heavenly should receive all things from our God and Father in the same way. We should not be conformed to the world’s ways, and should be done with selfishness. He will “supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19¹⁹But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)).

Matthew 5:6⁶Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6). “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Here is earnest desire for good: the inward condition and activity of the mind hungering and thirsting after the things of God. The answer is Psalm 107:9⁹For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:9); Ephesians 3:20²⁰Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:20).

Matthew 5:7⁷Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7). “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” This is consideration for others. It is the deep fountain of God’s nature in the believer, for “God is love,” and He is “rich in mercy” (1 John 4:8⁸He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8); Eph. 2:4⁴But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)). In us it is, “bowels of mercies” (Col. 3:12¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12)).

Matthew 5:8⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8). “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” We get here the pure motive that keeps God in view. The pure in heart see God’s ways in everything.

Matthew 5:9⁹Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9). “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” This is indeed the activity of the divine nature; God’s character among men, carrying peace with them, their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15¹⁵And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)). Thus they would win the title, “sons of God.”

Matthew 5:10¹⁰Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10). “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here we have the treatment from others of those who do the will of God, and walk in practical righteousness before Him. The soul that walks with God cannot do what it knows is wrong. It thus brings persecution upon itself from those affected by its integrity (Psa. 25:19-21¹⁹Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. ²⁰O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. ²¹Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. (Psalm 25:19‑21)). Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11-12¹¹Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹²Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11‑12). “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.” Notice the change to “ye.” It is suffering for Christ; it is precious to Him. He sees it all, and encourages the sufferer with His promise, “great is your reward in heaven.” To do well and suffer for it, is indeed acceptable with God, and brings the soul its sure reward (1 Peter 3:14-17¹⁴But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; ¹⁵But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ¹⁶Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. ¹⁷For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:14‑17)), but to suffer for Christ’s sake is still more precious (1 Peter 4:12-16¹²Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: ¹³But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ¹⁴If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. ¹⁶Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1 Peter 4:12‑16)); “the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you”; “on your part He is glorified.” Thus we are encouraged to bear testimony and to walk in the ways of the Lord.

Matthew 5:13¹³Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matthew 5:13). “Ye are the salt of the earth.” As the salt, the believer strengthens and upholds all that God has instituted; it is preserving what is good. If the believer goes with the evil, his influence is lost, and his own communion is marred. It is not a question of losing eternal life — that could not be. It is our influence, as walking in the fear of God.

Matthew 5:14-16¹⁴Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. ¹⁶Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14‑16). “Ye are the light of the world.” “The world lieth in the wicked one” (1 John 5:19¹⁹And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (1 John 5:19)), and is in darkness, while the believer is brought out of it (Eph. 5:8⁸For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Ephesians 5:8)). They are to bear testimony, like a candle in a candlestick gives light to all in the room, and like a city set on a hill that cannot be hid. Then the warning: if it is put under a measure, the benefit is lost, the things of the world have covered up the testimony. May we ponder verse 16, so that our words and works may glorify the Father which is in heaven (2 Thess. 2:16-17¹⁶Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, ¹⁷Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16‑17)).

This is the first mention of the Father’s name, “which is in heaven,” as suited to an earthly people. In John 20, when the Lord rose from the dead, He could say, “My God and your God,” “My Father and your Father.”

(To be Continued).

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