Explore the Bible Online

Matthew 6:1-7

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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. 2. Therefore when thou doest [thine] alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. 5. 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. 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. 7. 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 6:1-7 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 6:1

Theological / Devotional

Take heed. From a discussion of true righteousness (ch. 5) Christ now turns to the practical application of righteousness to the duties of the citizen of the kingdom of heaven (ch. 6; see DA 312). Christians are to avoid making a show of their acts of worship and benevolence. In three examples — acts of charity (vs. 2-4), prayer (vs. 5-8), and fasting (vs. 16-18) — Jesus contrasts the old practices of Judaism with the exalted ideals of the kingdom of heaven (see on Matt. 5:22; Mark 2:21, 22).

Alms. Gr. eleemosune, “almsgiving.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the reading dikaiosune, “righteousness,” or “piety.” Either meaning fits the context. If the reading “righteousness” is adopted, then the three specific illustrations of almsgiving, prayer, and fasting are intended to be examples of the principle stated in v. 1.

The three illustrations given probably represent the three most commonly observed forms of Pharisaic “righteousness.” It should be observed that Christ in no way objects to religious acts; He is concerned only that they be prompted by pure motives and be performed without ostentation.

Before men. That is, paraded before them with the objective of attracting their attention and admiration (see on v. 2).

To be seen. Gr. theaomai, “to gaze upon,” “to see.” The English words “theater” and “theatrical” are from this root. Pious acts performed “before men, to be seen of them,” were designed to earn the adulation of men.

Of your Father. Literally, “from the side of your Father.”

By SdaBc