Matthew 5:8

Pure in heart. The word “heart” here designates intellect (Matt. 13:15), conscience (1 John 3:20,21), and inner man (1 Peter 3:4). Purity of heart includes all desirable traits, excluding all undesirable ones. To be “pure in heart” is to be clothed with Christ’s righteousness (Matt. 22:11,12; Rev. 19:8), representing perfection of character.

Jesus meant inward cleanness, not ceremonial purity (Matt. 15:18-20; 23:25). Pure motives produce a pure life.

Those pure in heart have forsaken sin as a ruling principle and consecrated their lives fully to God (Rom. 6:14-16; 8:14-17). Being “pure in heart” does not mean sinless perfection but having right motives and pressing toward perfection by Christ’s grace (Phil. 3:13-15).

See God. Emphasis is on the present kingdom of grace in hearts, not excluding the future kingdom of glory. “See God” refers to spiritual as well as physical sight. Those who enter the kingdom now (v. 3), mourn for sin (v. 4), are humble (v. 5), hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6), and are merciful (v. 7) receive blessings now. The pure in heart see God now by faith and will see Him face to face in the future (1 John 3:2; Rev. 22:4). Only those who develop heavenly vision now will see God in the world to come.

Sin clouds the soul’s higher faculties. The serpent promised opened eyes but brought knowledge of good and evil (Gen. 3:5,6). Sin blinds; sinners “have eyes but see not” (Jer. 5:21; Isa. 6:10; Ezek. 12:2).

Only those with singleness of heart will see God. A “single” eye of the soul fills life with light (Matt. 6:22,23). Christians must not be spiritually divided between heaven and worldly pleasures (Heb. 11:25; Ex. 16:3). The soul’s window must be kept clean to see God.