Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted...
Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alternative: Lucky are those who are hounded because of their virtue, for theirs is the universal rule.
Earlier we discussed the meaning of the Greek term dikaiosunê, which means "virtuous," and "being in an ideal state." Here, Christ tells us that we have to pay a price if we want to be the best that we can be. In the translation, it seems that he is saying that we will be harassed by others for trying to be "good." While this is certainly part of the meaning, there is much more here.
The Greek term that is translated as "persecuted" is diôkô, which is a form of the verb, dio, which means to flee. Dioko is really closer in meaning to being chased, or hounded by others, rather than simply persecuted. It can mean to mistreat someone, but it can also mean simply to run after someone with no hostility. It could mean something as positive as being "followed."
Christ is saying something more here about people who try to perfect themselves. He is saying people are fortunate when people follow them in their quest for perfection. Some will merely observe what they are doing. Others will criticize it. And some others will emulate it. So seeking after perfection affects other people in a wide variety of ways. They are free to choose how they react. We shouldn't be surprised at any of these reactions.
"Blessed" is from makarios (makarios) which means "blessed," "happy," and "fortunate."
"Persecuted" is from diôkô (dioko), which means "to pursue," "to chase," "to urge on," or "to drive." It means "persecute" when used as a legal term.
"For" is from heneka (heneka), which means "on account of," "as far as regards," "in consequence of," and "because."
"Righteousness" is from dikaiosunê (dikaiosyne), which means "righteousness," "justice," "fulfillment of the law," and "the business of a judge.
"Theirs" is from autos (autos), which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of ones own accord."
"Is" is from eimi (esti), which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible." (3rd person, singular present form-esti).
"Kingdom" is from basileia (basileia), which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign."
"Heaven" is from the Greek ouranos (ouranos), which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate."
