What does Matthew 5:6 mean?
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
Explanation
Matthew 5:6 is part of the beatitudes, which are a series of statements made by Jesus during the Sermon on the Mount that describe the attitudes and characteristics of those who are blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. This specific verse speaks of a blessing for those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness,” suggesting a deep, consuming desire for justice and moral uprightness.
The verse uses the metaphor of hunger and thirst to convey a sense of urgent need and longing. In a literal sense, hunger and thirst are strong physical needs that must be satisfied for survival. By comparing the desire for righteousness to these basic human instincts, the verse draws a parallel between the physical necessity of food and water and the spiritual necessity of living in accordance with God’s will. The promise “for they shall be filled” implies that such a yearning for righteousness will be satisfied, which can be interpreted as the fulfillment of spiritual and ethical desires through a closer relationship with God and the eventual realizing of God’s will on earth.
Historical Context
The Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes, was delivered by Jesus during the early part of His ministry in Galilee. The audience comprised His disciples and a large crowd that had gathered to hear Him speak. During this period, Israel was occupied by the Roman Empire, and the people were subject to Roman law and often experienced social injustice.
The Jewish society of the time placed great emphasis on the Law of Moses and its observance. However, the religious leaders often focused on legalistic adherence to the law rather than the spirit behind it. Jesus challenged these notions by emphasizing the heart and intent behind actions, as He often criticized the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
Theological Insights
Different theological traditions interpret this verse in various ways:
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Evangelical Perspective: From an evangelical viewpoint, the verse is often understood as emphasizing a personal relationship with God. The hunger and thirst for righteousness are seen as a desire for personal holiness and living a life that is pleasing to God through faith in Christ.
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Catholic Perspective: Catholic theology might place an additional emphasis on the social dimensions of righteousness, interpreting the verse as a call to work for justice and peace in the broader community, in addition to personal moral integrity.
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Liberal Theology: A liberal theological approach might focus on the ethical implications of the text, understanding the pursuit of righteousness to include actions aimed at creating a more equitable society, often aligning with social justice initiatives.
Practical Applications
In daily life, applying this Beatitude can take many forms:
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Personal Growth: Individuals might seek personal growth by earnestly pursuing virtues such as integrity, patience, compassion, and humility.
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Social Action: One might be motivated to engage in charitable work, advocate for social causes, or support efforts to alleviate poverty and injustice.
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Spiritual Discipline: People may apply this teaching through regular spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and scriptural study to deepen their desire for and understanding of divine righteousness.
Cross-References
Other verses that relate to the concept of seeking righteousness include:
- “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
- “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
- “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Language Study
In the original Greek, the key words in this verse and their meanings are as follows:
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Peinōntes (πεινῶντες): Translated as “hunger,” it conveys a strong desire or craving, often used metaphorically to suggest a yearning for something non-physical, like righteousness.
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Dipsōntes (διψῶντες): Translated as “thirst,” similarly indicating an intense longing or deep desire for fulfillment or satisfaction.
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Dikaiosynēn (δικαιοσύνην): This is the Greek word for “righteousness,” implying justice, virtue, and uprightness according to God’s standards.
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Chortasthēsontai (χορτασθήσονται): Translated as “shall be filled,” conveys the idea of being satisfied, satiated, or fully content.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
The concept of seeking righteousness can also be found in other cultural and religious traditions.
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Buddhism: The idea resonates with the Buddhist concept of “right desire” under the Eightfold Path, where the craving is directed towards spiritual goals.
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Judaism: In Jewish teachings, there is a similar emphasis on pursuing justice (tzedek) and living righteously (tsaddik), which is integral to one’s relationship with God and society.
Scientific Perspectives
From a scientific standpoint, the use of hunger and thirst as metaphors in this verse can be related to the human psyche’s deep-rooted desires for fulfillment and meaning. Psychological studies support the idea that beyond physical needs, humans have intrinsic spiritual or existential needs that impact their mental health and well-being. This aligns with the verse’s assertion that a hunger for a moral or righteous life is a natural, deep-seated human aspiration.
Commentaries
Commentators and biblical scholars offer various insights on Matthew 5:6:
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John Stott: Noted Christian leader and theologian, sees this verse as a declaration of one’s appetite for God, which He promises to satisfy.
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William Barclay: A Scottish theologian, interprets this as a call for personal righteousness, social justice, and character, emphasizing that true happiness comes from an ongoing pursuit of these virtues.
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D.A. Carson: A reformed evangelical theologian, presents this as the believer’s profound inner longing for God’s moral standards to be fulfilled both personally and universally. Carson suggests that this hunger is a gift from God, one that He delights in satisfying.