What does Matthew 6:7 mean?

Explanation

[But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.] Matthew 6:7 provides a directive on how one should approach prayer.

The verse cautions against the use of "vain repetitions," which can be understood as mindlessly repeating words or phrases in prayer.

The admonition is to avoid a mechanical or rote approach that mimics pagans who believe that their deities require such repetitions to be appeased or to pay attention to their requests.

The deeper meaning here is to encourage sincere and thoughtful prayer, rather than empty or lengthy babbling.

Historical Context

Matthew 6:7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings by Jesus Christ addressing his disciples and a crowd of followers.

The historical context places these teachings in the early part of Jesus' ministry, likely somewhere in Galilee.

The use of the term "heathen" or "pagans" references the non-Jewish, polytheistic cultures surrounding the Jewish people at that time, some of whom practiced elaborate rituals and repetitions in their prayers, thinking that they would be more likely to gain the favor of their gods.

Theological Insights

In Christian theology, this verse often underscores the teaching that God values the quality of prayer over its quantity.

The idea is that God is interested in the genuineness and earnestness of one's prayers rather than the number of words used.

This reflects a broader scriptural theme that God desires a personal relationship with believers, characterized by honest communication rather than ritualistic performance.

Different Christian traditions might have various interpretations, but generally, the focus is on the heart's posture during prayer, not the formula of words spoken.

Practical Applications

In daily life, Matthew 6:7 suggests that individuals should focus on being present and intentional in their prayers.

Rather than reciting long and memorized prayers without any personal connection, believers should communicate with God in a way that is genuine and considers the depth of what is being said.

This could mean spending more time in silent reflection, actively contemplating the meaning behind the words spoken, and ensuring that prayer is a true expression of one's thoughts and feelings.

Cross-References

• Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

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."

• Ecclesiastes 5:2: "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few."
• Luke 18:10-14: The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector talks about the importance of humility in prayer as opposed to self-righteous verbosity.

Language Study

The key phrase "vain repetitions" in Matthew 6:7 comes from the Greek word "βατταλογήσητε" (battalogesete), which is derived from 'battalogeo' , meaning to stammer or repeat the same things over and over.

It conveys a sense of mindless, empty chatter and warns against prayers that are merely babbling without substance or genuine faith behind them.

The focus is on the quality and sincerity of prayer rather than the number of words or the act of repetition itself.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and myths, there are examples of rituals and prayers that involve repetition, with the belief that such practices would please the gods or bring about a desired result.

Ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian religions, for example, often involved chants and incantations with repetitive phrases.

In contrast to these practices, Matthew 6:7 distinguishes the Christian approach to prayer as one that should be conscious and sincere, contrasting with the often superstitious or works-based practices of surrounding cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly engage with scientific concepts, modern psychology often discusses the value of mindfulness and intentionality, which align with the advice in Matthew 6:7 to avoid mindless repetition.

Research in cognitive psychology suggests that rote repetition without active engagement can lead to decreased attention and retention, which aligns with the biblical encouragement to pray with thoughtful consideration rather than empty repetition.

Commentaries

Commentators on Matthew 6:7 generally agree on the essence of the verse, highlighting the importance of sincerity in prayer.

For example, the famous biblical commentator Matthew Henry emphasizes that prayer should be the "pouring out of the soul unto God," not as "the chattering of a crane" or "the croaking of a raven." John Calvin speaks of simplicity being preferable to an abundance of words in prayer.

Many existing commentaries note the Jewish context of Jesus' teachings, where some religious leaders were known for their long and public prayers, and contrast that with Jesus' call for authentic and heartfelt communication with God.