Church Fathers Commentary Matthew 5:11-12

"Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you." — Matthew 5:11-12 (ASV)

Rabanus Maurus: The preceding blessings were general; He now begins to address His discourse to those who were present, foretelling the persecutions they would suffer for His name.

St. Augustine of Hippo: It may be asked what difference there is between they shall revile you and shall speak all manner of evil of you; for to revile, it may be said, is simply to speak evil of someone. But a reproach thrown with insult in the face of someone present is different from a slander cast on the character of the absent. To persecute includes both open violence and secret snares.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: But if it is true that he who offers a cup of water does not lose his reward, then consequently, he who has been wronged by even a single word of slander will not be without a reward. But for the reviled to have a claim to this blessing, two things are necessary: the accusation must be false, and it must be for God's sake. Otherwise, he does not have the reward of this blessing; therefore, He adds, falsely for my sake.

St. Augustine of Hippo: I suppose this was added because of those who wish to boast of persecutions and evil reports. They claim to belong to Christ because many evil things are said of them, but either these reports are true, or, if false, they are not endured for Christ's sake.¹

St. Gregory the Great: What hurt can you receive when people detract from you, if you have no defense but your own conscience? But just as we ought not to willfully stir up the tongues of slanderers, lest they perish for their slander, so when their own malice has instigated them, we should endure it with equanimity so that our merit may be increased.²

He says, Rejoice and exult, for your reward is abundant in heaven.

Glossa Ordinaria: Rejoice in your mind and exult with your body, for your reward is not only great but abundant in heaven.³

St. Augustine of Hippo: Do not suppose that "heaven" here means the upper regions of the sky of this visible world, for your reward is not to be placed in things that are seen. Instead, by in heaven, understand the spiritual firmament where everlasting righteousness dwells.

Those whose joy is in spiritual things will have a foretaste of that reward even here, but it will be perfected in every part when this mortal shall have put on immortality.⁴

St. Jerome: It is in the power of any one of us to attain this: that when our good character is injured by slander, we rejoice in the Lord. Only he who seeks after empty glory cannot attain this. Let us then rejoice and exult, so that our reward may be prepared for us in heaven.

Pseudo-Chrysostom: For the more one is pleased with the praise of men, the more one is grieved by their evil speaking. But if you seek your glory in heaven, you will not fear any slanders on earth.

St. Gregory the Great: Yet we ought sometimes to check our defamers, lest by spreading evil reports about us, they corrupt the innocent hearts of those who might hear good from us.⁵

Glossa Ordinaria: He invites them to patience not only with the prospect of a reward but also by example, when He adds, for so persecuted they the Prophets who were before you.⁶

Remigius of Auxerre: For a person in sorrow receives great comfort from the recollection of the sufferings of others who are set before him as an example of patience. It is as if He had said, "Remember that you are His Apostles, of whom they were also Prophets."

St. John Chrysostom: At the same time, He signifies His equality in honor with His Father, as if He had said, "As they suffered for my Father, so shall you suffer for me." And in saying, The Prophets who were before you, He teaches that they themselves have already become Prophets.

St. Augustine of Hippo: He says persecuted in a general sense, comprehending both reproaches and defamation of character.

1. Serm. in Mont., i, 5
2. Hom. in Ezech. i. 9, 17
3. ap. Anselm
4. Serm. in Mont., i, 5
5. Hom. in Ezech., i, 9, 17
6. non occ.