Sermon on Mount, the most basic need: spirit
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Fortunate these beggars for this breath: because of them is this realm of the skies.
The humor in this line is in the first two words as well as the end. Here the first two word mean "fortunate the poor" or "wealthy the poor." This is an obvious contradiction. Since this is the very beginning of his presentation, he wanted to start off on a funny but confounding note.
Another interesting but difficult aspect of this verse is the phrase "of spirit". The word that means "spirit" also means "breath." (For more about its meaning, read this article on soul, spirit, mind, and heart and this article on "holy" "spirit.") The "in" before it comes, not from a preposition, but from the dative form, which requires the addition of a preposition in English. That preposition can be a "to," "with," "in," "as," "by," "for," "at" or "on," depending on the context. So it could mean "with the spirit," "by the spirit," "for the spirit" and so on. The NLT version doesn't want to deal with what Jesus said at all and just drops his words and substitutes their own.
The last line is the punchline because it has multiple meanings. When the verb "to be" takes an object in the form of "their," the "is" has many possible meanings. It means "the realm is of theirs," which can mean "the realm is descended from them," "the realm belongs to them," or "the realm is made of them," or "the realm is a duty of theirs," or "the realm is dependent on them." The "realm of the skies" is the punchline, saved until the end because the entire verse raises the question, "what do these beggars have that makes them fortunate?" This last line answers that question in multiple ways.
The "kingdom of heaven" literally means the "realm of the skies." This article on The Kingdom of Heaven discusses it further and it is updated regularly.
Desiring spirit is the membership to the higher realm.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "poor" means "beggar."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "in" is not the preposition but a word form that can have many meanings.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "spirit" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "theirs" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "is" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "skies" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated singular as but it is plural."skies."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "poor" means "beggar."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "in" is not the preposition but a word form that can have many meanings.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "spirit" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "theirs" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "is" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "skies" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated singular as but it is plural."skies."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "God" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "blessed" means "blessed" primarily in the sense of "lucky" or "fortunate" without a sense of a "blessing."
- WF - Wrong Form - The "blesses" is not an active verb but an adjective.
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "who are" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "poor" means "beggar."
- IP - Inserted phrase-- The phrase "and realize their need for him" doesn't exist in the source.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "spirit" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "spirit" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "skies" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated singular as but it is plural."skies."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "is" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "theirs" does not capture the word's specific meaning in this situation.
Blessed -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective from a root word meaning "happy" or "fortunate." In Jesus's era, all luck was attributed to divine favor but this is not otherwise a religious word. It has no relationship to the Greek verb "bless" or the noun "blessings." This word can also mean "wealthy". This sets up an interesting play on words that only works in Greek, saying "wealthy the poor,"
are -- There is no verb "are" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
poor -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "poor" means "a beggar." It is the subject of the phrase and plural, "beggars." The first two words are literally, "Lucky these beggars."
in -- (CW) This word "in" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect. Though it can mean "of," Jesus and all other koine speakers would usually use the genitive form to indicate a possessive. Though it can be "in," Jesus usually uses a possessive.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
spirit: -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath", "wind," a "non-material being", and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical". Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.
for -- The "for" here is a causal adverb that means "seeing that", "because", or "since."
theirs -- (CW) This is the genitive, plural pronoun. When this form or word is the object of the verb "to be" the sense is "belongs to," so the sense of this word in these situations is "to." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation , which is "to them."
is -- (CW) The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With an object in the possessive form the "is" becomes "is of," which can mean "it is descended from," "it is the type of," "it belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive nouns.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heaven. -- (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. The word is plural, not singular.
Blessed -- (CW) The word "blessed" in Greek is an adjective from a root word meaning "happy" or "fortunate." In Jesus's era, all luck was attributed to divine favor but this is not otherwise a religious word. It has no relationship to the Greek verb "bless" or the noun "blessings." This word can also mean "wealthy". This sets up an interesting play on words that only works in Greek, saying "wealthy the poor,"
are -- There is no verb "are" in the Greek source. It is implied by the equating of "workman" with "worthy" both in the Greek form of subjects.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
poor -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "poor" means "beggars." It is the subject of the phrase and plural, "beggars." The first two words are literally, "Lucky beggars."
in -- (CW) This word "in" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English, but the translator must decide which preposition to use: a "to" as an indirect object, a "with" for instruments, an "in" for locations, an "as" for purposes, an "of" for possession, a "by" for agents, an "as" for comparisons, "at" or "on" a time, and an "in" for area of effect.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
spirit: -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath", "wind," a "non-material being", and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical". Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.
for -- The "for" here is a causal adverb that means "seeing that", "because", or "since."
theirs -- (CW) This is the genitive, plural pronoun. When this form or word is the object of the verb "to be" the sense is "belongs to," so the sense of this word in these situations is "to." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation , which is "to them."
is -- (CW) The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With an object in the possessive form the "is" becomes "is of," which can mean "it is descended from," "it is the type of," "it belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive nouns.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
heaven. -- (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. The word is plural, not singular.
God -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "God" in the Greek source.
blesses -- (CW, WF) The word "blesses" in Greek is an adjective from a root word meaning "happy" or "fortunate." In Jesus's era, all luck was attributed to divine favor but this is not otherwise a religious word. It has no relationship to the Greek verb "bless" or the noun "blessings." This is not a verb. This word can also mean "wealthy". This sets up an interesting play on words that only works in Greek, saying "wealthy the poor,"
those -- The word translated as "those" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
who are -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "who are" in the Greek source.
poor -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "poor" means "a beggar." It is the subject of the phrase and plural, "beggars." The first two words are literally, "Lucky beggars."
and realize their need for him, -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "and realize their need for him" in the Greek source.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
missing "spirit" -- (MW) The untranslated word "spirit" primarily means "breath", "wind," a "non-material being", and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical". Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.
for -- The "for" here is a causal adverb that means "seeing that", "because", or "since."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Kingdom -- The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "realm" seems more appropriate. This is especially true because the "reign" of a king means the execution of his will.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of", "which is", "than" (in comparisons), or "for", "concerning" or "about" with transitive nouns.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
Heaven. -- (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods. The word is plural, not singular.
is -- (CW) The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With an object in the possessive form the "is" becomes "is of," which can mean "it is descended from," "it is the type of," "it belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."
theirs -- (CW) This is the genitive, plural pronoun. When this form or word is the object of the verb "to be" the sense is "belongs to," so the sense of this word in these situations is "to." This is not the specific meaning of the word in this situation , which is "to them."
Μακάριοι [25 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Blessed" is makarios, which means "blessed", "prosperous", "happy", "fortunate," and "blissful."
οἱ [821 verses](article pl masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
πτωχοὶ , [17 verses](adj pl masc nom) "Poor" is ptochos, which means "beggar", "beggar-woman," and "beggarly."
τῷ [821 verses] (article sg neut dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --
πνεύματι [40 verses](noun sg neut dat) "Spirit" is pneuma, which means "blast", "wind", "breath", "the breath of life", "divine in inspiration", "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.
ὅτι [332 verses](adv/conj) "For" is from hoti, which introduces a statement of fact "with regard to the fact that", "seeing that," and acts as a causal adverb meaning "for what", "because", "since," and "wherefore."
αὐτῶν [720 verses](adj pl masc gen) "Theirs" is 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 one's own accord."
ἐστὶν .[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the genitive object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on."
ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
βασιλεία [98 verses](noun sg fem nom) "Kingdom" is basileia, which means "kingdom", "dominion", "hereditary monarchy", "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign." "
τῶν [821 verses](article pl masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." --
οὐρανῶν. [111 verses](noun pl masc gen) "Heaven" is from the Greek 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."
A contrasting of adjectives meaning "wealthy" and "poor"
As we laughed, the Master noticed the beggars sitting up front for the first time.
“Fortunate!” he observed, gesturing toward the beggars. “These beggars!”
His voice carried easily throughout the crowd. He sounded very happy for the beggars.
Most of us took this idea as humorous. The idea of beggars, the blind, lame, and crippled among us, being fortunate was a contradiction in terms. By definition, they are neither lucky nor wealthy. I took the comment as referring to the beggars having gotten such good seats. Others took it differently.
“How can beggars be lucky?” Demas called out critically. Though his fellow Distinguished had not yet arrived, Demas felt that it was his duty to challenge the Nazarene.
In response, the Master smiled and took a deep breath. He blew it slowly out into the air.
“With this breath of life!” he explained lightheartedly.
It made a kind of sense: even beggars are lucky to be alive. Many of us laughed and applauded.
“Why should they be happy just to be breathing?” someone called out cynically, as something of a joke.
“Because theirs is...,” the Teacher announced happily.
He paused and pointed upward in a familiar signal.
“This realm of the skies!” we said together with him.