Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:3

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:3 (ASV)

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed." See how Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount; he begins with benedictions. He is a cloud that is full of rain, and that empties itself upon the earth. The moment you begin to know Christ, you begin to have blessings; and the more you know of him, the more blessed you will be. Blessed are the poor in spirit: not those who boast of spiritual riches and personal goodness, but the lowly, the meek, the trembling, the humble, the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is a paradox that puzzles many, for the poor in spirit often seem to have nothing; yet they have the kingdom of heaven, so they have everything. He who thinks the least of himself is the man of whom God thinks the most. You are not poor in God's sight if you are poor in spirit.

The King's first statutes are Benedictions. He begins His teaching with a largess of blessings. The Old Testament ended with a curse. The New Testament opens with Blessed. This word is by some rendered "happy," but we like blessed best. Our Lord brings to men true Beatitudes by His teaching and by His kingdom.

Spiritual poverty is both commanded and commended. It is the basis of Christian experience. No one begins rightly who has not felt poverty of spirit. Yet even to this first sign of grace is the kingdom given in present possession, theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The question in heaven's kingdom is not, "Are you a peer?" but, "Are you poor in spirit?" Those who are of no account in their own eyes are of the blood royal of the universe. These alone have the principles and the qualifications for the heavenly kingdom. May I be such!

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This is a gracious beginning to our Savior's discourse, Blessed are the poor. None ever considered the poor as Jesus did, but here he is speaking of a poverty of spirit, a lowliness of heart, an absence of self-esteem. Where that kind of spirit is found, it is sweet poverty: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.