MATTHEW 5:1-12

2. The poor in spirit receive a fellowship with other believers who walk as they walk. (See outline and notes—Acts
2:41-47; Eph.2:19-22.)

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of
bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and
of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ
himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an
holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit” (Eph.2:19-22).
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with
us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 Jn.1:3).

3. The poor in spirit receive the gift of life that is forever: the eternal fellowship with both God and the congregation of
those who are poor in spirit.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Jn.5:24).
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are
the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Ro.8:15-17).


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(5:4) Mourn (penthountes): to have a broken heart. It is the strongest word possible for mourning. It is like the deep
mourning and wailing that occurs over the death of a loved one. It is sorrow—a desperate, helpless sorrow. It is a sorrow
for sin, a broken heart over evil and suffering. It is a brokenness of self that comes from seeing Christ on the cross and realiz-
ing that our sins put Him there (cp. Jas.4:9). Note several significant facts.
1. Who is it that mourns? Who is it so full of grief that he cries and weeps and utters groanings deep from within?
There are three persons who mourn and utter such groanings.
a. The person who is desperately sorry for his sins and unworthiness before God. He has such a sense of sin
that his heart is just broken.

“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,
but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Lk.18:13).

b. The person who really feels the desperate plight and terrible suffering of others. The tragedies, the
problems, the sinful behavior of others—the state, the condition, the lostness of the world—all weigh ever so
heavily upon the heart of the mourner.

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they
fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Mt.9:36).
“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion to-
ward them, and he healed their sick” (Mt.14:14).
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him”
(Ps.103:13).
“In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his
love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of
old” (Is.63:9).

c. The person who experiences personal tragedy and intense trauma.
2. Men are to mourn over their sins. This leads to confession and humility before God and results in being lifted up
(Jas.4:8-10).
3. The person who mourns is comforted by Christ Himself. Christ was called the “man of sorrows” and was acquainted
with grief (Is.53:3). He is able to succor and to draw a person ever so close, comforting and strengthening him beyond imagi-
nation (Heb.2:18; 4:15-16).
4. There is a godly sorrow, but there is also a worldly sorrow (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—2 Cor.7:10 for more discus-
sion). There is also a self-centered sorrow (see notes—2 Cor.1:6-7).

DEEPER STUDY # 3
(5:4) Comfort: they who mourn shall be comforted (see note—2 Cor.1:3).
1. There is a present comfort.
a. A settled peace: a relief, a solace, a consolation within.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn.14:27).
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye
shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Jn.16:33).


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