What does Matthew 6:4 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 6:4 speaks to the virtue of discretion in charitable giving. Jesus is teaching that acts of charity should not be performed for public recognition or praise but rather should be executed quietly and privately, with the intent of simply helping those in need.

This verse suggests that there is a spiritual reward from God for those who give in secret without seeking external reward or acclaim.

The "Father which seeth in secret" refers to God who sees all actions, whether they are made public or not, and the phrase "shall reward thee openly" suggests that the rewards for such acts will ultimately be evident, possibly in ways that are not always monetary or material.

Historical Context

During the time when Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, where this verse is located, it was common for religious leaders and wealthy patrons to make a show of their charitable donations.

They would gain social status and honor by publicly donating in the synagogues and the streets.

Jesus challenged this norm by advocating for a form of giving that is sincere and not motivated by the desire to gain praise from others.

This teaching was radical because it confronted the standard practices of the day and suggested that the motives behind actions are as important as the actions themselves.

Theological Insights

From a Christian perspective, this verse reinforces the idea that God values the intentions behind human actions. It emphasizes a personal and intimate relationship with God where He acknowledges even the unseen deeds.

Theologically, it can be interpreted as a call to cultivate inner righteousness rather than seeking external validation.

Different Christian traditions may focus on various aspects of this verse.

For example, Catholic social teaching might emphasize the intrinsic good in the act of giving to the needy, while Protestant theology might underscore the relationship with God as being of paramount importance, with good deeds being a natural overflow of faith.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Matthew 6:4 encourages believers to examine their motives when giving to others.

It promotes doing good deeds quietly and without the need for acknowledgment or repayment.

For many, this teaching can serve as a guideline for engaging in philanthropy, volunteer work, and any action aimed at helping others.

In practice, it suggests moving away from a "transactional" approach to charity and towards one that is genuinely altruistic.

Cross-References

• Matthew 6:1: "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven."
• Matthew 6:6: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
• Luke 14:12-14: "Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.

But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "alms" is derived from "eleemosyne," which refers to acts of charity or mercy.

The phrase "seeth in secret" uses the Greek word "krypto," which implies that God is paying attention to things that are concealed from public view.

The term "reward" is translated from "apodidomi," which means to give back or return, often used in a context that implies full compensation.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures and religions, acts of charity were often public affairs meant to bring honor and recognition to the giver. This can be seen in the practices of ancient Rome or Greece, where wealthy patrons sponsored public works and festivals to gain social status.

In contrast, certain strands of Judaism, such as those seen in the Dead Sea Scrolls, also emphasize the value of privacy in spiritual practices. The teaching in Matthew 6:4 to give in secret presents a counter-cultural message that distances itself from the societal norms of external recognition.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, studies in psychology have examined the motivations behind altruism and charitable giving.

It is found that people often experience a sense of well-being or a "helper's high" when they give to others, regardless of whether it is public or private.

Moreover, neuroscience research suggests that acts of giving can activate regions in the brain associated with pleasure and reward, indicating that there could be intrinsic rewards to charitable actions, supporting the notion that the "reward" may sometimes be internal.

commentaries

Various theologians and biblical scholars offer different insights into Matthew 6:4.

John Calvin emphasized the sincerity of giving without show, while contemporaries like Craig Blomberg argue that Jesus is not condemning all public acts of righteousness but is cautioning against doing them with the wrong motives.

Matthew Henry's commentary suggests that charitable deeds done in secret show that they are done for God's approval alone.

Broadly, many commentaries agree on the central principle of this verse, that the purity of one's intentions when giving to others matters to God and impacts the spiritual and possibly physical rewards one may receive.