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The Beatitudes - Part Two

Writer's picture: Luke HamblettLuke Hamblett

Updated: Feb 27, 2021

Welcome to this weeks blog and thanks for reading! We are going to be continuing working our way through the Beatitudes with part two below.

Before we get into this verse, it is important that we read and study it in context. Part of that context is that verse three is essential in our understanding of verse four, so if you haven't already, make sure you check out last weeks blog on verse three. Verse four is the reacting to verse three, so the two intertwine together.


Matthew 5:4 (NIV)

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.


So first of all we are going to start by looking at the meaning of the word 'mourn'. As always, we have to consider the fact that the Greeks actually had a variety of different words that they used for words that we only have one of, the Greek language often has words that mean the same thing in english but have differing levels of severity, strength, depth and emotional context. In this instance Jesus is using the word 'pentheo' (pen-theh-o), which can also be used for English term wail. It's actually the strongest word for mourning in the Greek language.


"It is the word which is used for mourning for the dead, for the passionate lament for one who was loved.” (Barclay)


The kind of mourning described here is not a kind of self pity, but like we looked at last week, it is the recognition of the fact that we are low and in need because we are sinful and in turn a sense of conviction and mourning from this. This kind of mourning is also described by Paul in 2 Corinthians 7:10.


The next part of this verse says 'for they will be comforted'. God makes us a promise here, if we honestly mourn over our sin and sinful condition, then we will receive comfort. Isn't that amazing? We have an eternal promise that if we turn to God and repent of our sinful nature, then we will receive comfort.


I pray that this week we might turn from our sinful nature and receive the comfort of God in our conviction.

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