Matthew 6

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.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

¹⁰ Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.

¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

¹⁵ But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

¹⁶ Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

¹⁷ But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

¹⁸ That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

¹⁹ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

²⁰ But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

²¹ For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

²² The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

²³ But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great [is] that darkness!

²⁴ No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

²⁵ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶ Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

²⁷ Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸ And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰ Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

³¹ Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³² (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³ But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴ Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

Overview of Matthew Chapter 6

Matthew Chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addresses various aspects of righteousness, prayer, fasting, and material wealth. This chapter emphasizes the importance of inner purity and the right motivations behind religious practices.

Key Themes

• Righteousness and Hypocrisy: Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for the sake of public recognition.
• Prayer: The chapter introduces the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting the importance of sincere communication with God.
• Fasting: Jesus teaches about the proper attitude and approach to fasting.
• Material Wealth: The chapter discusses the relationship between wealth and spiritual devotion, emphasizing the need to prioritize heavenly treasures over earthly ones.

Detailed Analysis

1. Righteousness and Hypocrisy (Verses 1-4)

Jesus begins by cautioning against practicing righteousness to be seen by others. He emphasizes that true acts of charity should be done discreetly, as God rewards those who give in secret.

1. Verse 1: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” This sets the tone for the chapter, indicating that the intention behind actions is crucial.
2. Verses 2-4: The example of giving to the needy illustrates that genuine acts of kindness should not seek human praise but divine acknowledgment.

2. The Lord’s Prayer (Verses 5-15)

In this section, Jesus provides a model for prayer, emphasizing simplicity and sincerity over elaborate rituals.

1. Verses 5-6: Jesus teaches that prayer should be a private conversation with God rather than a public display.
2. Verses 7-8: He warns against meaningless repetition, stressing that God knows our needs before we ask.
3. Verses 9-13: The Lord’s Prayer encapsulates key elements of prayer: adoration, submission, petition, and forgiveness.
4. Verses 14-15: The importance of forgiveness is underscored, indicating that our forgiveness from God is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others.

3. Fasting (Verses 16-18)

Jesus instructs on the proper way to fast, reinforcing the theme of authenticity in spiritual practices.

1. Verses 16-17: He advises fasting in a way that does not draw attention to oneself, promoting a humble approach.
2. Verse 18: The message is clear: fasting should be an act of devotion to God, not a means to gain social recognition.

4. Treasures in Heaven (Verses 19-21)

This section contrasts earthly treasures with heavenly treasures, urging believers to focus on what is eternal.

1. Verse 19: Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth, where they are vulnerable to decay and theft.
2. Verse 20: Instead, He encourages the accumulation of treasures in heaven, which are secure and everlasting.
3. Verse 21: The principle that where one’s treasure is, there their heart will be also, emphasizes the connection between material priorities and spiritual focus.

5. The Eye as the Lamp (Verses 22-23)

Jesus uses the metaphor of the eye to illustrate how one’s perspective influences their spiritual health.

1. Verse 22: A healthy eye represents a clear, focused perspective on God’s kingdom.
2. Verse 23: Conversely, an unhealthy eye leads to darkness, symbolizing misguided values and priorities.

6. Serving Two Masters (Verses 24)

Jesus concludes this chapter with a stark warning about the impossibility of serving both God and money.

1. Verse 24: He states that one cannot be devoted to both; this highlights the necessity of choosing spiritual allegiance over material pursuits.

7. Trusting God for Needs (Verses 25-34)

The final section encourages believers to trust in God’s provision, addressing anxiety about material needs.

1. Verses 25-26: Jesus reassures that life is more than food and clothing, pointing to God’s care for creation as a model for trust.
2. Verses 27-30: He uses the examples of birds and flowers to illustrate God’s provision and care for all living things.
3. Verses 31-32: Jesus emphasizes that God knows our needs and encourages a focus on seeking His kingdom first.
4. Verse 33: The promise that if we seek first the kingdom of God, all these things will be added to us serves as a powerful conclusion to the chapter.
5. Verse 34: Finally, Jesus advises against worrying about tomorrow, promoting a focus on the present and reliance on God’s daily provision.

Conclusion

Matthew Chapter 6 serves as a profound teaching on the nature of true righteousness, emphasizing sincerity in religious practices, the importance of prayer, the proper attitude towards fasting, the prioritization of spiritual over material wealth, and the assurance of God’s provision. It challenges believers to examine their motives and encourages a deep, trusting relationship with God.