What does Matthew 5:3 mean?

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Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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How should this be read? “Blessed are the poor (comma) in spirit,” that is, their blessing will be spiritual because of their poverty, or “blessed are the (poor in spirit),” that is, one who is spiritually weak will be blessed? But why would it be good to be poor in spirit?
 
Hi Ephel__,

“Poor in spirit” means detachment from earthly goods. You can be poor in material goods, but attached to material goods all the same, seeking them inordinately. You can be rich in material goods and poor in spirit, disposed to do with or without them, using them for the good of others etc.

MInd you, Luke just says, “Blessed are the poor”. Jesus was in favor of choosing poverty as a state of life. He chose it HImself. It’s an evangelical counsel followed by religious orders, who make a vow of poverty. But, of course, material poverty, without “poverty in spirit” is worth nothing before God.

Verbum
 
The New Testament - The Good News of Jesus
Michael Pennock1982 Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Ind 46556

A suggested response, which seems reasonable to me is:
Many Scripture scholars agree that this is not an error in editing; but rather the evangelists teaching to their respective communities.

You will recall that Matthew’s audience consists largely of the Jewish converts, It seems that Matthew wants the message of “total denial of self” to be emphasized – hence to be “Poor in Spirit” is to be in totally dependant on God.

Luke’s community and as we know is good –news to everyone, paying special attention to the poor, the women-folks and the Gentiles.(non-Jews). Hence when he taught that the poor in this life are “Blessed” or in some translation “Happy are you who are poor now, for yours is the Kingdom of God…” it offers much comfort in their journey of “trust and hope in the Providence of God”.

Hope this helps.
 
When I hear “Poor in Spirit” I think of the Publican - “Lord have mercy on me a sinner.”
 
There are a variety of riches in the world, not just financial riches. Some are rich in knowledge, others in power and authority, some in artistic talent, others in poetry and prose writing. In any case it is keeping those aspects of your life available to the community at large, the recognition that these things are not our own, that constitutes “poverty of spirit.”
When I hide my learning as a way of keeping others subject to me (I know better, therefore you must do as I say), I am not demonstrating poverty of spirit. When I impose my prejudices on others because I hold a managerial position in the workplace, I am not demonstrating poverty of spirit.
What the scripture means is that the talents we have and the power that these give us in the world must be subject to the use of the community at large. Imagine the poverty of the world if Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart had not written a single note. You are no less important in the economy of salvation than he. You are just as responsible to God for the use of your talents as he was.
We are not our own.

Matthew
 
EphelDuath said:
How should this be read? “Blessed are the poor (comma) in spirit,” that is, their blessing will be spiritual because of their poverty, or “blessed are the (poor in spirit),” that is, one who is spiritually weak will be blessed? But why would it be good to be poor in spirit?
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The poor in spirit are those people who own nothing in regards to their soul soul (pride) and instead depend completely on God (humility). Religious people take a vow of poverty but this doesn’t mean they don’t have anything - it simply means that whatever they have, they have been given. They don’t “own” anything, and at any moment they may required to give up something for someone else.

The poor in spirit proclaim humility in all things and recognize God as the true provider of everything that is good. Because of this, “theirs is the kingdom of God.” In other words, as Pope Benedict describes in his book Jesus of Nazareth, the kingdom of God is not simply a worldly rule/domination; instead, it is the here and now, where God is working in our hearts to transform this earth into the image of heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven whilst being a “global phenomenon” is remarkably personal and internal. Thus, humility is the essential factor in bringing about this Kingdom - those who are poor in spirit recognize that Jesus is Lord.
 
EphelDuath said:
How should this be read? “Blessed are the poor (comma) in spirit,” that is, their blessing will be spiritual because of their poverty, or “blessed are the (poor in spirit),” that is, one who is spiritually weak will be blessed? But why would it be good to be poor in spirit?
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D-R Bible Haydock Commentary:

The poor in spirit;[1] which, according to the common exposition, signifies the humble of mind and heart. Yet some understand it of such as are truly in poverty and want, and who bear their indigent condition with patience and resignation. (Witham) — That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches. (Challoner) — It is not without reason that the beatitudes are disposed of in this order. Each preceding one prepares the way for what immediately follows, furnishing us in particular with spiritual arms of such graces as are necessary for obtaining the virtue of the subsequent beatitude. Thus the poor in spirit, i.e. the truly humble, will mourn for their transgressions, and whoever is filled with sorrow and confusion for his own sins, cannot but be just, and behave to others with meekness and clemency; when possessed of these virtues, he then becomes pure and clean of heart. Peace of conscience reigns in this assemblage of virtues, and cannot be expelled the soul by any tribulations, persecutions, or injustices of men. (St. Chrysostom, hom. xv.) What is this poverty of spirit, but humility and contrition? This virtue of humility is placed in the first place, because it is the parent of every other virtue, as pride is the mother of every vice. Pride deprived our first parents of their original innocence, and nothing but humility can restore us to our former purity. We may pray and fast, we may be possessed of mercy, chastity, or any virtues, if humility do not accompany them, they will be like the virtue of the Pharisee, without foundation, without fruit. (Hom. xv.)
 
Well, in Norwegian it says, “Salige er de fattige i ånden; for himlenes rike er deres.” That means that the poor one’s spirit is blessed. It does not mean that he who has a poor spirit, he is blessed. No, he who is poor, his soul is blessed.
 
WAIT A SECOND! I realize that both interpretations are possible in Norwegian as well. Hmm, the first one, that the spirit of a poor is blessed, came to me as the only logical meaning as I read it in my own language. When I look at it now, it confused me too!
Sorry!
 
pibi84 said:
WAIT A SECOND! I realize that both interpretations are possible in Norwegian as well. Hmm, the first one, that the spirit of a poor is blessed, came to me as the only logical meaning as I read it in my own language. When I look at it now, it confused me too!
Sorry!
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I wish I knew another language.

Which bible do you use?
 
I use the 1930 translation, the oldest one that was available. According to the site bibelen.no, in the 1978/85 version, the first sentence translates to, “Blessed are they who are poor in themselves.” The newest one says, “Blessed are they who are poor in their spirit”.

None of these make things more clear, they’re all open for two interpretations. Actually, I now think that it seems more like the meaning is that he, whose spirit is poor, is blessed.
Sorry for all the confusions!
 
pibi84 said:
I use the 1930 translation, the oldest one that was available. According to the site bibelen.no, in the 1978/85 version, the first sentence translates to, “Blessed are they who are poor in themselves.” The newest one says, “Blessed are they who are poor in their spirit”.

None of these make things more clear, they’re all open for two interpretations. Actually, I now think that it seems more like the meaning is that he, whose spirit is poor, is blessed.
Sorry for all the confusions!
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No worries!

What is in fact “the 1930 translation”?

How many books do you have in this bible?
 
Well, is there only one Bible in English? The language is constantly changing, therefore, new translations are made to suit the language spoken. I know of three translations, but there’s probably a whole lot more. I don’t know what my opinion is, whether it’s good or not, but I like the Danish-like language in the 1930 version (how about getting a Bible in Danish, then?).

By the way, I only have the new testament. If I would buy the old one (or the whole Bible in one book), it would probably not contain the 7 books that we (unfortunately) Protestanst use.
 
pibi84 said:
Well, is there only one Bible in English? The language is constantly changing, therefore, new translations are made to suit the language spoken. I know of three translations, but there’s probably a whole lot more. I don’t know what my opinion is, whether it’s good or not, but I like the Danish-like language in the 1930 version (how about getting a Bible in Danish, then?).

By the way, I only have the new testament. If I would buy the old one (or the whole Bible in one book), it would probably not contain the 7 books that we (unfortunately) Protestanst use.
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:confused:

You are a protestant?

Okay, then tell me how many books you have in your bible.

You are missing 7 books, I think. But if you lack the Hebrew Scriptures, you are lacking a bible.

I am not sure why anyone would want a NT only version?
 
I think it is literal. People that are poor in spirit are depressed for whatever reason, not just poverty; It could simply be feelings of worthlessness because of sin, or sadness over the world, or sadness over personal inadequacies.
 
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