To counter disappointment try encouragement
And let us constantly be giving careful attention to one another for the purpose of stimulating one another to divine and self-sacrificial love and good works, Hebrews 10:24
The New Testament, an expanded translation
Encouragement is the oxygen of the soul.
Now at that time, David was in the stronghold, and a garrison of the Philistines was in Bethlehem at that same time. David said longingly, "Oh that someone would bring me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem that is at the gate." So three of the mighty warriors broke into the camp of the Philistines, and they drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was at the gate, and they carried it and brought it to David.
Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Wuest, K. S. (1961). The New Testament: an expanded translation (Mt 5:1–12). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
5:3 Blessed The Greek word used here, makarios (meaning "happy" or "fortunate), often indicates someone who is favored by God.
poor in spirit Refers to those in Jesus' day who recognize and bear their desperate plight, and who long for God's restoration through the Messiah.
kingdom of heaven The crowd was already familiar with this terminology through John the Baptist's proclamation; they anticipated a time of restoration. See note on Matt 3:2.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 5:3–4). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Blessed are the poor in spirit—All familiar with Old Testament phraseology know how frequently God's true people are styled "the poor" (the "oppressed," "afflicted," "miserable") or "the needy"—or both together (as in Ps 40:17; Is 41:17). The explanation of this lies in the fact that it is generally "the poor of this world" who are "rich in faith" (Jam 2:5; compare 2 Co 6:10; Rev 2:9); while it is often "the ungodly" who "prosper in the world" (Ps 73:12). Accordingly, in Lu 6:20, 21, it seems to be this class—the literally "poor" and "hungry"—that are specially addressed. But since God's people are in so many places styled "the poor" and "the needy," with no evident reference to their temporal circumstances (as in Ps 68:10; 69:29–33; 132:15; Is 61:1; 66:2), it is plainly a frame of mind which those terms are meant to express. Accordingly, our translators sometimes render such words "the humble" (Ps 10:12, 17), "the meek" (Ps 22:26), "the lowly" (Pr 3:34), as having no reference to outward circumstances. But here the explanatory words, "in spirit," fix the sense to "those who in their deepest consciousness realize their entire need" (compare the Greek of Lu 10:21; Jn 11:33; 13:21; Ac 20:22; Ro 12:11; 1 Co 5:3; Php 3:3). This self-emptying conviction, that "before God we are void of everything," lies at the foundation of all spiritual excellence, according to the teaching of Scripture. Without it we are inaccessible to the riches of Christ; with it we are in the fitting state for receiving all spiritual supplies (Rev 3:17, 18; Mt 9:12, 13).
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven—(See on Mt 3:2). The poor in spirit not only shall have—they already have—the kingdom. The very sense of their poverty is begun riches. While others "walk in a vain show"—"in a shadow," "an image"—in an unreal world, taking a false view of themselves and all around them—the poor in spirit are rich in the knowledge of their real case. Having courage to look this in the face, and own it guilelessly, they feel strong in the assurance that "unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness" (Ps 112:4); and soon it breaks forth as the morning. God wants nothing from us as the price of His saving gifts; we have but to feel our universal destitution, and cast ourselves upon His compassion (Job 33:27, 28; 1 Jn 1:9). So the poor in spirit are enriched with the fulness of Christ, which is the kingdom in substance; and when He shall say to them from His great white throne, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you," He will invite them merely to the full enjoyment of an already possessed inheritance.
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
MATTHEW 5
Citizens (1–12). We enter the kingdom through the new birth (John 3:1–16), but we enjoy the kingdom by living for those things that please God the most (6:33). The world (and worldly believers) would disagree with Christ's description of a blessed (happy) person, but the description is true just the same. God majors on character, and so should we.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). With the Word Bible Commentary (Mt 5:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
ASV 1901 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
RSV "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NKJV "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
NA27 w/o morphology Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν.
Preaching Themes: Giving, Poverty
It is better to make three middling shirts, with which you may clothe both yourself and the poor of Christ, than if you were to make one of very precious materials for yourself. And it is better to have simple food prepared, by which you may entertain a number of the needy at your table, than if you were to spend a large sum of money on delicious food, and live riotously with your own family, while the poor of Christ were suffering and perishing with cold and nakedness in your presence.
Ritzema, E., & Brant, R. (Eds.). (2013). 300 quotations for preachers from the Medieval church. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Do Not Be Afraid of Others' Opinions
Matthew 10:20; Mark 13:11; Luke 12:12; John 21:22–23
Preaching Themes: Faith, Fear, Humility, Poverty
Fear not to appear little and contemptible, or to be called by men fools and madmen; but announce penance in simplicity, trusting in Him who overcame the world by humility; it is He that will speak in you by His Spirit. Let us take care that we do not lose the kingdom of heaven for any temporal interest, and that we never despise those who live otherwise than we do. God is their master, as he is ours, and he can call them to himself by other ways.
Ritzema, E., & Brant, R. (Eds.). (2013). 300 quotations for preachers from the Medieval church. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
1–12 And having seen the multitudes, He went up into the mountain. And when He had seated Himself, His pupils came to Him. And having opened His mouth He went to teaching them, saying, Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Spiritually prosperous are those who are mourning, because they themselves shall be encouraged and strengthened by consolation. Spiritually prosperous are those who are meek, because they themselves shall inherit the earth. Spiritually prosperous are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, because they themselves shall be filled so as to be completely satisfied. Spiritually prosperous are those who are merciful, because they themselves shall be the objects of mercy. Spiritually prosperous are those who are pure in the sphere of the heart, because they themselves shall see God. Spiritually prosperous are those who make peace, because they themselves shall be called sons of God. Spiritually prosperous are those who have been persecuted on account of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Spiritually prosperous are you whenever they shall revile you and persecute you and say every pernicious thing against you, speaking deliberate falsehoods on account of me. Be rejoicing and exult exceedingly, because your reward is great in heaven. For in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Christ's sermon on the mount, 1, 2. Who are blessed, 3–12; the salt of the earth, 13; the light of the world, 14–16. He came to fulfil the law, 17–20. What it is to kill, 21–26; to commit adultery, 27–32; to swear, 33–37. He exhorts to suffer wrong, 38–42; to love our enemies, 43–47; and to labour after perfection, 48.
3 Blessed. ver. 4–11; ch. 11:6; 13:16; 24:46. Ps. 1:1; 2:12; 32:1, 2; 41:1; 84:12; 112:1; 119:1, 2; 128:1; 146:5. Pr. 8:32. Is. 30:18. Lu. 6:20, 21, etc.; 11:28. Jno. 20:29. Ro. 4:6–9. Ja. 1:12. Re. 19:9; 22:14. the poor. ch. 11:25; 18:1–3. Le. 26:41, 42. De. 8:2. 2 Ch. 7:14; 33:12, 19, 23; 34:27. Job 42:6. Ps. 34:18; 51:17. Pr. 16:19; 29:23. Is. 57:15; 61:1; 66:2. Je. 31:18–20. Da. 5:21, 22. Mi. 6:8. Lu. 4:18; 6:20; 18:14. Ja. 1:10; 4:9, 10. for. ch. 3:2; 8:11. Mar. 10:14. Ja. 2:5.
Blayney, B., Scott, T., & Torrey, R. A. with Canne, J., Browne. (n.d.). The Treasury of Scripture knowledge (Vol. 2, p. 3). London: Samuel Bagster and Sons.
Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Burton, E. D. (1917). A Harmony of the Synoptic Gospels for Historical and Critical Study (Mk 4:21
Lk 6:20). New York; Chicago; Boston: Charles Scribner's Sons.
