"Poor in Spirit" Facts
Collected by Tim Estes
Editor’s Note: Many teach how Matthew 5:3 and Luke 6.20, referring to the “poor in spirit”, is speaking of someone who is humble or practices humility.
But there is a problem. There is nothing in this passage that speaks directly of either concept.
That is not to say the poor in spirit are not humble or practice humility. The “poor in spirit” are often the most humble of all people.
So, this study is NOT intended to discredit anyone teaching that “poor in spirit” is to be humble, but instead to go to the reason why they are humble.
Who?
When?
Scriptures:
- Blessed
- Poor
- Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom of God / Kingdom
Definitions:
Blessed:
- Strong:
- Μακάριος; makarios; mak-ar’-ee-os;
- A prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off: – blessed, happy (X -ier).
- Thayer:
- Μακάριος; makarios
- Thayer Definition: 1) blessed, happy
- Vines:
- makarios (G3107), akin to A, No. 3, is used in the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and Luke 6, is especially frequent in the Gospel of Luke, and is found seven times in Revelation, Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:14. It is said of God twice, 1Ti_1:11; 1Ti_6:15. In the beatitudes the Lord indicates not only the characters that are “blessed,” but the nature of that which is the highest good.
- A, No. 3: makarizo (G3106), from a root mak—, meaning “large, lengthy,” found also in makros, “long,” mekos, “length,” hence denotes “to pronounce happy, blessed,”…. See HAPPY.
- Mounce:
- “Μακάριος; makarios; 50x:
- happy, blessed, as a noun it can depict someone who receives divine favor”
- New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance:
- Μακάριος; makarios; from μάκαρ makar (blessed, happy); blessed, happy:—
- makarios (G3107), akin to A, No. 3, is used in the beatitudes in Matthew 5 and Luke 6, is especially frequent in the Gospel of Luke, and is found seven times in Revelation, Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:14. It is said of God twice, 1Ti_1:11; 1Ti_6:15. In the beatitudes the Lord indicates not only the characters that are “blessed,” but the nature of that which is the highest good.
- Strong:
Definitions:
Poor:
- Mounce:
- Πτωχός; ptōchos; 34x:
- reduced to beggary, mendicant; poor, indigent, Matthew 19:21; Matthew 26:9; Matthew 26:11; met. spiritually poor, Revelation 3:17; by impl. a person of low condition, Matthew 11:4; Luke 4:18; Luke 7:22; met. beggarly, sorry, Galatians 4:9; met. lowly, Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20.
- Strong:
- Πτωχός; ptōchos; pto-khos’
- From πτώσσω ptōssō (to crouch; akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098); a beggar (as cringing), that is, pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed): – beggar (-ly), poor.
- Thayer:
- Πτωχός; ptōchos;
- 1) reduced to beggary, begging, asking alms
- 2) destitute of wealth, influence, position, honour
- 2a) lowly, afflicted, destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
- 2b) helpless, powerless to accomplish an end
- 2c) poor, needy
- 3) lacking in anything
- 3a) as respects their spirit
- 3a1) destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ’s teaching and proved them selves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)
- 3a) as respects their spirit
- Cyclopedia
- Poverty; מִחַסוֹר; machsor, lack (ἐνδεία; egestas). In the N.T., πτωχός, pauper, and πένης; egenus, once only (2 Corinthians 9:9). “Poor” is also used in the sense of “afflicted,” “humble,” etc., e.g. Matthew 5:3.
- Mounce:
What?
What is “Blessed”?
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- “The Greek word here (makarioi) is an adjective that means “happy” which in English etymology goes back to hap, chance, good-luck as seen in our words haply, hapless, happily, happiness. “Blessedness is, of course, an infinitely higher and better thing than mere happiness” (Weymouth). English has thus ennobled “blessed” to a higher rank than “happy.” But “happy” is what Jesus said…”
- “ It is a pity that we have not kept the word “happy” to the high and holy plane where Jesus placed it. “If you know these things, happy (makarioi) are you if you do them” (John 13:17). “Happy (makarioi) are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). And Paul applies this adjective to God, “according to the gospel of the glory of the happy (makariou) God” (1Timothy 1:11; Titus 2:13).”
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
- “Of the two words which our translators render “blessed,” the one here used points more to what is inward, and so might be rendered “happy,” in a lofty sense;…”
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
What ?
What is “Poor in spirit”?
- Robertson’s Word Pictures:
- “The word used here (ptōchoi) is applied to the beggar Lazarus in Luke 16:20, 22 and suggests spiritual destitution (from ptōssō to crouch, to cower).”
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
- “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 (Revelation 3:17-18; Matthew 9:12-13).”
- Albert Barnes Commentary
- “It is remarkable that Jesus began his ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, or riches, or splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, and fixed his eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life.”
- “A state of poverty a state where we are despised or unhonored by people is a state where people are most ready to seek the comforts of religion here, and a home in the heavens hereafter.”
- Robertson’s Word Pictures:
What?
What about the “Kingdom of Heaven”
- It was the message of John the Baptizer.
- Matthew 3:2
- It was the message of Jesus.
- Matthew 4:17; Luke 4.43
- It was the message of the Limited Commission to the 12 disciples: Matthew 10:7; Luke 9.2
- It belongs to:
- The poor in spirit: Matthew 5:3
- The persecuted for righteousness sake: Matthew 5.10
- A place where commandments have been taught: Matthew 5:19
- A place where righteousness excels: Matthew 5:20;
- A place where obedience is expected: Matthew 7:21
- Anyone from anywhere can enter: Matthew 8:11
- The 12 disciples could know the secrets of the kingdom, but was not given to others. Matthew 13.11
- It was compared to:
- a man sowing good seed in a field. Matthew 13:24
- A grain of mustard seed. Matthew 13.31
- Leaven hid in flour. Matthew 13.33
- A treasure hidden in a field. Matthew 13.44
- A pearl of great value. Matthew 13:45-46
- A fishing net. Matthew 13:47-48
- A king settling accounts. Matthew 18.23-35
- A Master of the house hiring laborers. Matthew 20.1
- A king giving a feast for his son. Matthew 22.2
- 10 virgins. Matthew 25.1-13
- The kingdom has keys that were given to Peter. Matthew 16.19
- There are levels inside the kingdom. Matthew 18.1
- Entrance requirements:
- Righteousness must exceed that of scribes or Pharisees. Matthew 5.20
- Must become like a child. Matthew 18.3; Mark 10.15
- Must be humble. Matthew 18.4
- Rich people can enter but with difficulty. Matthew 19.23-24; Mark 10.23-25; Luke 18.24-25
- The kingdom belongs to little children. Matthew 19.14; Mark 10.14; Luke 18.16
- It was the message of John the Baptizer.
What
The kingdom of heaven was often shorted to simply “kingdom”.
- Jesus, while on earth, prayed for God’s kingdom to come. Matthew 6.10; Luke 11.2
- People should set God’s kingdom as a priority. Matthew 6.33; Luke 12.31
- Jesus cast out demons as proof that God’s kingdom had come on the Jews. Matthew 12.28; Luke 11.20
- Information about the kingdom can be snatched away. Matthew 13.19
- On judgement day, Jesus will have angels removed all sinful and law-breakers from the kingdom. Matthew 13.41
- In the eternal kingdom the righteous will shine. Matthew 13.43
- It would be present during the lifetime of Jesus’ listeners. Mark 9.1; Luke 9.27
- The gospel of the kingdom would be preached to the whole world before the end of Judaism. Matthew 24.14. Note the context, and note how it was completed by Colossians 1.23
- The kingdom was prepared from the very beginning of time. Matthew 25.34
- The kingdom is not an earthly, visible kingdom. Luke 17.20; John 3.3; John 18.36; 2 Timothy 4:18
- The kingdom was among Jesus’ listeners. Luke 17.21
- Entrance into the kingdom requires being born of water and Spirit. John 3.5
- The unrighteous can not enter it. 1 Corinthians 6.9-10
- After Jesus’ resurrection he taught the disciples more about the kingdom of God. Acts 1.3
- Philip preached about the kingdom. Acts 8.12
- Paul reasoned about the kingdom. Acts 19.8; Acts 28.23
- The kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy. Rom 14.17
- The kingdom has been present since when Jesus placed Christians in it. Colossians 1.13
- It will continue into eternity. 2 Peter 1.11
What?
What is the reward from God to the “poor in spirit”?
- Matthew 5.3 & Luke 6:20
- “If you know these things, happy (makarioi) are you if you do them” (John 13:17)
- They are happy because God has taken their spiritual destitute condition and gave them a gift. He gave them the opportunity to enter the kingdom of heaven now!
- The Kingdom
- They are in the kingdom. Col 1:13
- Jesus has transferred them from the kingdom of darkness, under Satan’s oppressive control, into the kingdom. It is not some future event. These people, without any hope of becoming right with God, with no hope of forgiveness, with no tools to correct their pitiful circumstances, have been placed in the kingdom by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
- They are in the kingdom. Col 1:13
Who?
Who are the “Poor in Spirit”?
- Their characteristics:
- Spiritually poor
- Of a low condition
- Literally/Figuratively distressed
- destitute of the Christian virtues and eternal riches
- powerless to accomplish an end
- spiritual destitution
- Their characteristics:
Who?
Who will receive (or gain) the kingdom?
- Their characteristics
- The poor in spirit: Matthew 5:3
- The persecuted for righteousness sake: Matthew 5;10
- Those learning the commands: Matthew 5:19
- Those obeying the commands: Matthew 7:21
- Obeying like a child: Matthew 18.3; Mark 10.15
- Gaining righteousness: Matthew 5.20
- They have humbled themselves or been humbled by life. Matthew 18.4
- They make God’s kingdom the top priority. Matthew 6.33; Luke 12.31
- They have been born of water and the Spirit. John 3.5
- Their characteristics
When?
When do they get the Kingdom of Heaven?
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
- “The poor in spirit not only shall have – they already have – the kingdom.”
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary
Scriptures:
Blessed:
- Matthew 11:6, Matthew 13:16, Matthew 24:46; Psalms 1:1, Psalms 2:12, Psalms 32:1-2, Psalms 41:1, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 112:1; Psalms 119:1-2, Psalms 128:1, Psalms 146:5; Proverbs 8:32; Isaiah 30:18; Luke 6:20, Luke 6:21-26, Luke 11:28; John 20:29; Romans 4:6-9; James 1:12; Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:14
Scriptures:
Poor:
- Leviticus 26:41-42; 2 Chronicles 7:14, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, 2 Chronicles 33:23, 2 Chronicles 34:27; Job_42:6; Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:17; Proverbs 16:19, Proverbs 29:23; Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 66:2; Daniel 5:21-22; Micah 6:8; Luke 4:18, Luke 6:20, Luke 18:14; James 1:10; James 4:9-10
Scriptures:
Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom:
Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:8, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:19-20 (3), Matthew 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 8:11-12 (2), Matthew 9:35, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 11:11-12 (2), Matthew 12:25-26 (2), Matthew 12:28, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:19, Matthew 13:24, Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 13:38, Matthew 13:41, Matthew 13:43-45 (3), Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 18:1, Matthew 18:3-4 (2), Matthew 18:23, Matthew 19:12, Matthew 19:14, Matthew 19:23-24 (2), Matthew 20:1, Matthew 20:21, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 23:13, Matthew 24:7 (2), Matthew 24:14, Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:14, Matthew 25:34, Matthew 26:29, Mark 1:14-15 (2), Mark 3:24 (2), Mark 4:11, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:30, Mark 6:23, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:47, Mark 10:14-15 (2), Mark 10:23-25 (3), Mark 11:10, Mark 12:34, Mark 13:8 (2), Mark 14:25, Mark 15:43, Luke 1:33, Luke 4:5, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, Luke 8:10, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:11, Luke 9:27, Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62, Luke 10:9, Luke 10:11, Luke 11:2, Luke 11:17-18 (2), Luke 11:20, Luke 12:31-32 (2), Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:28-29 (2), Luke 16:15-16 (2), Luke 17:20-21 (3), Luke 18:16-17 (2), Luke 18:24-25 (2), Luke 18:29, Luke 19:11-12 (2), Luke 19:15, Luke 21:10 (2), Luke 21:31, Luke 22:16, Luke 22:18, Luke 22:29-30 (2), Luke 23:42, Luke 23:51, John 3:3, John 3:5, John 18:36 (3), Acts 1:3, Acts 1:6, Acts 8:12, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Acts 28:31, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (2), 1 Corinthians 15:24, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 1:13, Colossians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:18, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 11:33, Hebrews 12:28, James 2:5, 2 Peter 1:11, Revelation 11:15 (2), Revelation16:9-10 (3), Revelation17:17