Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"How blessed are those who show mercy! for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
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Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. -
Ephesians 5:1
¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; -
Matthew 6:14
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: -
Matthew 6:15
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -
2 Samuel 22:26
With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, [and] with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. -
Matthew 18:33
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? -
Matthew 18:35
So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Matthew 5:7 KJV stands as a profound declaration from Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount, articulating a core principle of the Kingdom of God. It is the fifth of the nine Beatitudes, each revealing a characteristic of those who are truly blessed by God.
Context
This verse is part of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which introduce the moral and spiritual framework of Jesus' teaching. Delivered to a multitude on a mountainside, these declarations describe the counter-cultural values and dispositions of true disciples. They outline a radical shift from the prevailing societal norms, emphasizing inner character over outward conformity. The Beatitudes build upon each other, suggesting that the merciful heart often flows from a spirit that is poor, mourning, meek, and hungering for righteousness.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "merciful" is eleēmones (ἐλεήμονες), derived from eleos (ἔλεος), which means "mercy" or "compassion." This term signifies not just a passive feeling of pity, but an active demonstration of compassion and kindness, especially towards those in need or suffering. It implies a willingness to alleviate distress, forgive offenses, and show clemency. The phrase "they shall obtain mercy" (eleēthēsontai - ἐλεηθήσονται) is in the passive voice, suggesting that the mercy they receive ultimately comes from God Himself, reinforcing the divine nature of the blessing.
Practical Application
Matthew 5:7 challenges believers to cultivate a heart of active compassion and forgiveness. It calls us to:
Ultimately, being merciful is a pathway to experiencing deeper dimensions of God's own mercy and grace in our lives, both now and eternally.