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.

Take heed {G4337} that ye do {G4160} not {G3361} your {G5216} alms {G1654} before {G1715} men {G444}, to be seen {G4314}{G2300} of them {G846}: otherwise {G1490} ye have {G2192} no {G3756} reward {G3408} of {G3844} your {G5216} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} heaven {G3772}.

"Be careful not to parade your acts of tzedakah in front of people in order to be seen by them! If you do, you have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

Commentary

Matthew 6:1 KJV: "¶ ‹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.›"

Context of Matthew 6:1

This verse opens a crucial section of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He shifts from defining true righteousness (Matthew 5:20) to illustrating how it should be practiced. Specifically, Matthew 6 addresses three pillars of Jewish piety: giving (alms), prayer, and fasting. Jesus challenges the prevailing religious practices of His day, which often emphasized outward display over genuine devotion. Here, He sets the foundational principle for all acts of righteousness that follow in the chapter: the motive behind the action.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Motive Over Appearance: The primary message is that the internal motivation for religious acts is paramount. Jesus warns against performing "alms" (acts of charity or righteousness) with the sole purpose of gaining human applause or recognition. True righteousness springs from a heart devoted to God, not from a desire for public acclaim.
  • Divine vs. Earthly Reward: Jesus explicitly states that seeking human praise negates any "reward" from God. If one's aim is to be seen by men, then human admiration becomes the reward itself, and there is no heavenly recompense. Conversely, actions done secretly, purely for God's glory, guarantee a reward from the Father in heaven. This theme is echoed in His teaching on prayer and fasting later in the chapter.
  • Authenticity and Hypocrisy: This verse directly confronts hypocrisy, which is the pretense of virtue or piety. Jesus advocates for authenticity in one's faith, where actions align with inward conviction rather than being a performance for an audience. This contrasts sharply with the practices of certain religious leaders of the time, whom Jesus often critiqued for their outward displays (Matthew 23:5).

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "alms" comes from the Greek eleemosynē (ἔλεημοσύνη), which literally means "mercy" or "pity," and by extension, "acts of mercy" or "charity." It encompasses any act of compassion or giving to the needy.
  • The phrase "to be seen of them" translates the Greek pros to theathenai autois (πρὸς τὸ θεαθῆναι αὐτοῖς), emphasizing the intent of being observed, put on display, or making a spectacle for others. It highlights the performative aspect Jesus condemns.
  • "Reward" is from the Greek misthos (μισθός), which signifies wages, recompense, or payment. Jesus implies that God's reward is of eternal value, far surpassing fleeting human approval.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:1 remains profoundly relevant in contemporary life. It challenges believers to examine their motives in all acts of service, charity, and religious devotion. In an age of social media, where good deeds can easily be publicized, this verse serves as a potent reminder to check whether our actions are truly for God's glory or for personal commendation. It encourages quiet, humble giving and service, emphasizing that God, who sees in secret, is the ultimate audience and rewarder. This principle applies not only to financial giving but to all forms of Christian service, ensuring that our hearts are aligned with God's will rather than seeking human praise.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 23:5 (59 votes)

    But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

  • John 12:43 (50 votes)

    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  • Hebrews 6:10 (31 votes)

    For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

  • Matthew 23:28 (27 votes)

    Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

  • Matthew 23:30 (27 votes)

    And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

  • Luke 16:15 (20 votes)

    And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

  • Matthew 6:4 (15 votes)

    That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.