Matthew 5:6

Hunger and thirst. This metaphor was forceful in a land with about 26 inches of annual rainfall (Gen. 12:10). Many in the audience had experienced thirst. Travelers could easily find themselves in dire straits without water (Gen. 21:14).

Jesus spoke of the soul’s hunger and thirst (Ps. 42:1,2). Only those who long for righteousness as a starving man longs for food will find it. Earthly sources—riches, philosophies, physical satisfaction, honor, power—cannot satisfy the soul’s hunger.

Solomon concluded “all is vanity” after experimenting with these (Eccl. 1:2,14; 3:19; 11:8; 12:8). Recognition of the Creator and cooperation with Him provide enduring satisfaction (Eccl. 12:1,13).

Six to eight months after the Sermon, Jesus gave the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:26-59), discussing this principle more fully. Jesus is the “bread” that sustains spiritual life and satisfies the soul’s hunger (John 6:35,48,58). Those who hunger and thirst are invited to receive freely from the heavenly Provider (Isa. 55:1,2). Longing for righteousness evidences Christ’s work in the heart (MB 19).

Righteousness. Greek dikaiosune, from dike, “custom,” “usage,” thus “right” as determined by custom. In the NT, dikaiosune means “righteousness” according to kingdom principles. Among Greeks, righteousness was conformity to accepted customs; to Jews, conformity to the law as interpreted by tradition (Gal. 2:16-21). Christians submit to “the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:3), seeking “the righteousness which is through the faith of Christ” (Phil. 3:9).

Christ’s righteousness is both imputed and imparted. Imputed righteousness brings justification; imparted righteousness enables growth in grace and conformity to God’s law (COL 310-312). Christ encouraged believers to be “perfect” as the heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). Paul notes that Jesus’ perfect life enables “the just requirement of the law” to be fulfilled in us (Rom. 8:4).