Matthew 6

Commentary on Matthew Chapter 6

Overview

Matthew chapter 6 contains the core of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This chapter emphasizes the way of life for the people of God's kingdom, particularly highlighting inner sincerity and a God-centered life over outward displays of piety. While addressing religious practices important to Jews at the time—almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—it clarifies that these acts must be performed not out of a desire to be seen by others, but solely before God. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of one's attitude toward possessions and of seeking first the kingdom of God, urging a life free from anxiety and trusting in God.

Structure of the Text

Verses 1-4: Righteous Almsgiving

The danger of almsgiving done to be seen by people.

The importance of secret almsgiving and its relationship with God.

Verses 5-15: Righteous Prayer

The wrongness of praying to be seen by people.

The importance of private prayer in one's inner room.

The Lord's Prayer: Presenting prayer topics such as God's kingdom and will, daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from temptation.

Verses 16-18: Righteous Fasting

The futility of fasting done to be seen by people.

The importance of secret fasting and its relationship with God.

Verses 19-24: Attitude Toward Possessions

The folly of storing up treasures on earth.

The wisdom of storing up treasures in heaven.

Emphasis on the center of the heart through the analogy of light and darkness.

Verses 25-34: Seeking First the Kingdom of God

The futility of worrying about life's necessities (food and clothing).

Emphasis on God's care through the analogy of birds and lilies.

The command and promise of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Key Themes

Sincere Piety: Emphasizes inner motives and sincerity over outward religious acts.

God-Centeredness: Urges a life that seeks God's approval and will in all areas of life, rather than human recognition.

Stewardship of Possessions: Teaches an attitude of life that prioritizes God's kingdom, rather than making possessions the master of one's life.

Trust and Freedom from Anxiety: Presents a life free from anxiety by trusting in God who provides for life's needs.

Section-by-Section Commentary

6:1-4 (Righteous Almsgiving): The word 'righteousness' (δικαιοσύνη) can encompass 'righteousness' or 'righteous deeds.' (Public Domain Tradition) For the Jews, almsgiving was not merely charity but an act of justice and mercy. (Public Domain Tradition) The crucial element is the motive for almsgiving. It must be done solely before God, not for the praise or recognition of people. (Orthodox Evangelical, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition) Almsgiving done to be seen by people receives no reward from God. (German Reformed, Anglican, Presbyterian Tradition) Secret almsgiving is known by God and will be rewarded. (Orthodox Evangelical, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition)

6:5-15 (Righteous Prayer): The motive for prayer is also important. Praying in public places where people can see is merely imitating piety and not genuine fellowship with God. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, German Reformed Tradition) Jesus taught private prayer in one's inner room. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, German Reformed Tradition) The Lord's Prayer presents God-centered prayer topics: God's kingdom and will, daily bread, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from temptation. (Korean Evangelical, German Reformed, Anglican, Presbyterian Tradition)

6:16-18 (Righteous Fasting): Fasting also loses its meaning when done with the motive of being seen by people. (Orthodox Evangelical, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition) The true purpose of fasting is to humble oneself and focus on God, and God knows and rewards secret fasting. (Orthodox Evangelical, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition)

6:19-24 (Attitude Toward Possessions): Storing up treasures on earth is unwise because they can decay and be stolen. (Public Domain Tradition) Storing up treasures in heaven has eternal value and reveals where our hearts are. (Korean Evangelical, Orthodox Evangelical, Presbyterian Tradition) The analogy of light and darkness clearly shows whether the heart's focus is on God or on possessions. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist Tradition)

6:25-34 (Seeking First the Kingdom of God): Jesus tells us to stop worrying about life's basic necessities. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, Presbyterian Tradition) If God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies, will He not care for us, His children? (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, Presbyterian Tradition) The most important thing is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. (Korean Evangelical, Orthodox Evangelical, Presbyterian Tradition) God will surely fulfill this promise. (Orthodox Evangelical, Presbyterian Tradition)

Original Language Insights

6:1 righteousness (δικαιοσύνη, dikaiosunē): This word means 'righteousness,' 'justice,' or 'righteous deed.' In this context, it can encompass not only acts of charity but all aspects of a righteous life before God. (German Reformed, German Evangelical, German Pietist Tradition)

6:5 pray (προσεύχομαι, proseuchē): This word for 'prayer' includes various forms of spiritual communion, such as conversation with God, supplication, and praise. (Methodist, German Reformed, Anglican Tradition)

6:16 fast (νηστεύω, nēsteia): This word for 'fasting' signifies the intention to focus on spiritual matters by abstaining from food. (Orthodox Evangelical, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition)

Theological Perspectives — Comparison by Tradition

Motive for Piety: Most traditions emphasize that the motive for almsgiving, prayer, and fasting should be focused on God, not on being seen by people. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, German Reformed, Puritan Tradition)

Stewardship of Possessions: The right attitude toward possessions is considered an important part of a life that prioritizes God's kingdom. (Korean Evangelical, Orthodox Evangelical, Presbyterian Tradition)

Trust in God: Trusting in God instead of worrying about life's needs is a core teaching of Matthew 6, emphasized by various traditions. (Orthodox Evangelical, Methodist, Presbyterian Tradition)

Relationship with the Law: Some traditions view the teachings of Matthew 6 as fulfilling the spirit of the Law, emphasizing true righteousness beyond a literal interpretation of the Law. (Presbyterian Tradition)

Cross-References

Matthew Chapter 5: The preceding part of the Sermon on the Mount, dealing with the character and attitudes of blessed life in God's kingdom. Chapter 6 applies the teachings of chapter 5 to specific areas of life. (Korean Evangelical, Anglican Tradition)

Matthew Chapter 7: The conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, containing further teachings and warnings for the life of God's kingdom. (Academic, Methodist, Public Domain Tradition)

Luke Chapter 11: Contains the Lord's Prayer, covering similar content to the prayer section in Matthew 6. (Methodist, German Reformed, Anglican Tradition)

Luke Chapter 12: Contains teachings on not worrying and seeking God's kingdom, which are deeply connected to the corresponding section in Matthew 6. (Methodist, Presbyterian Tradition)

Sermon and Application Points

The True Nature of Faith: Are we living our faith to be seen by others? If our religious acts, such as almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, are done with an awareness of people's eyes, they have no meaning before God. True faith is done before God and for God alone.

The Priority of Prayer: Is our prayer focused solely on our own needs and desires? Like the Lord's Prayer, we must first pray for the hallowing of God's name, the coming of God's kingdom, and the doing of God's will.

The Heart's Attitude Toward Possessions: What dominates your heart the most? Is it perishable treasures stored on earth, or eternal treasures stored in heaven? Where our heart is, there our life's direction is determined. Choose a life that seeks first the kingdom of God.

Trust Instead of Anxiety: How much do we worry and feel anxious in the face of life's problems? Believe that God cares for us just as He cares for the birds and the lilies. Entrust your anxieties to God and live a life of faith seeking God's kingdom.