Matthew 6:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G3704} thou appear {G5316} not {G3361} unto men {G444} to fast {G3522}, but {G235} unto thy {G4675} Father {G3962} which {G3588} is in {G1722} secret {G2927}: and {G2532} thy {G4675} Father {G3962}, which {G3588} seeth {G991} in {G1722} secret {G2927}, shall reward {G591} thee {G4671} openly {G1722}{G5318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that no one will know you are fasting -- except your Father, who is with you in secret. Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Berean Standard Bible

so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

American Standard Version

that thou be not seen of men to fast, but of thy Father who is in secret: and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall recompense thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:18 concludes Jesus' instruction on the spiritual discipline of fasting, serving as a climactic statement within His broader teaching on genuine righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount. This verse profoundly emphasizes that acts of devotion, far from being public spectacles designed for human applause, are to be private, heartfelt expressions of faith directed solely toward God. It assures believers that the Heavenly Father, who intimately perceives hidden intentions and actions, will openly acknowledge and reward such sincere, unostentatious piety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 6:1-18](/matthew/6-1-18 "Matthew 6:1-18 - True Righteousness in Giving, Prayer, and Fasting"), which forms a crucial segment of the Sermon on the Mount ([Matthew 5-7](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount")). Specifically, it follows His instructions on giving alms ([Matthew 6:1-4](/matthew/6-1-4 "Matthew 6:1-4 - Giving Alms in Secret")) and prayer ([Matthew 6:5-15](/matthew/6-5-15 "Matthew 6:5-15 - Praying in Secret and the Lord's Prayer")). The consistent pattern across these three disciplines is a stark contrast between the hypocritical public displays of piety, which seek human recognition, and the genuine, private devotion that seeks only God's approval. Each section ends with a promise of divine reward for secret acts of righteousness, highlighting the Father's omniscience and faithfulness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, fasting was a common and respected religious practice, observed both individually and communally. While certain fasts were mandated (e.g., Yom Kippur), others were voluntary, often undertaken on specific days like Mondays and Thursdays. Unfortunately, some individuals, particularly the Pharisees whom Jesus often critiqued, engaged in these practices with ostentatious displays, disfiguring their faces, wearing sackcloth, and strewing ashes on their heads to ensure others noticed their "piety." This public performance was designed to garner admiration and respect from the community. Jesus' teaching directly challenges this cultural norm, exposing the superficiality of outward show divorced from inward sincerity, and reorienting the purpose of spiritual disciplines from human validation to divine communion.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 6:18 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found within the Sermon on the Mount and throughout Jesus' ministry. The central theme is **Sincerity in Devotion**, emphasizing that the heart's motive is paramount in all spiritual acts. This is intrinsically linked to **Private Piety**, advocating for an intimate, unobserved relationship with God in spiritual practices, free from the desire for human praise. The repeated phrase "thy Father, which seeth in secret" underscores God's **Omniscience and Omnipresence**, highlighting His perfect knowledge of all things, even the most hidden thoughts and actions ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God")). Finally, the promise that God "shall reward thee openly" speaks to the theme of **Divine Reward and Justice**, assuring believers that God faithfully acknowledges and blesses genuine acts of faith, whether in this life or the life to come, contrasting with the fleeting praise of men.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **secret (Greek, _kryptós_):** Derived from a root meaning "to conceal," this word denotes something that is hidden, private, or inward. In the context of Matthew 6, it stands in direct opposition to public display and emphasizes the unseen, intimate nature of the spiritual act performed solely for God.
* **openly (Greek, _phanerós_ combined with _en_):** The word _phanerós_ means "shining" or "apparent," indicating something manifest, known, or outward. When combined with the preposition _en_ ("in" or "at"), it conveys the idea of something being made public or outwardly visible. This starkly contrasts with "secret," highlighting the shift from a hidden act to a publicly revealed divine acknowledgment.
* **reward (Greek, _apodídōmi_):** This verb means "to give away," "to give back," "to repay," or "to recompense." It implies a just and deserved return for an action. In this context, it signifies God's faithful response to sincere devotion, a divine recompense that is certain and true, unlike the unreliable praise of men.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret:"** This opening clause sets the negative and positive injunctions. The phrase "appear not unto men to fast" directly condemns the practice of making one's spiritual discipline a public spectacle for human recognition. The Greek word for "appear" (G5316, _phaínō_) suggests shining or showing oneself, indicating an intentional display. Instead, Jesus commands that fasting be directed "unto thy Father which is in secret." This emphasizes that the true audience for spiritual acts is God alone, who dwells in a realm beyond human sight and values the hidden, sincere devotion of the heart.
* **"and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."** This second clause provides the divine rationale and promise for the preceding command. It reiterates God's unique attribute: He is the "Father, which seeth in secret." This highlights God's omniscience – His ability to perceive not only outward actions but also the deepest intentions and motives of the heart, even those hidden from human view. The promise that He "shall reward thee openly" assures believers that their genuine, unobserved acts of piety will not go unnoticed or unacknowledged by God. This "open" reward is not necessarily material or immediate, but a certain and public divine affirmation, whether in this life through spiritual blessing and peace, or in the eschatological judgment when all hidden things are revealed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Contrast** and **Repetition**. The central **Contrast** is between two audiences: "unto men" versus "unto thy Father." This fundamental opposition underscores the divergent motivations for religious practice – human praise versus divine approval. Related to this is the contrast between the private, unseen nature of the act ("in secret") and the public, manifest nature of the divine response ("openly"). The **Repetition** of the phrase "in secret" ("unto thy Father which is in secret" and "thy Father, which seeth in secret") serves to reinforce the critical importance of hidden devotion and God's unique ability to perceive it. This structural repetition also creates a sense of parallelism with the preceding teachings on almsgiving and prayer, establishing a consistent principle for all spiritual disciplines.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:18 profoundly shapes our understanding of true worship and discipleship. It reveals a God who values the heart's posture above outward performance, challenging the human tendency to seek validation from peers rather than from the Divine. The promise of an "open" reward from the Father who "seeth in secret" underscores God's perfect justice and faithfulness; no act of sincere devotion, however small or hidden, goes unnoticed by Him. This teaching cultivates a theology of intimate communion, where spiritual disciplines are not burdensome duties but opportunities for deeper relationship with a God who knows us fully and rewards genuine love. It calls believers to a radical authenticity, where their walk with God is not a show but a sacred, personal journey.

* [Colossians 3:23-24](/colossians/3-23-24 "Colossians 3:23-24 - Working for the Lord")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Faith and Reward")
* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Sees the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:18 serves as a timeless mirror for our souls, inviting us to critically examine the motives behind all our actions, not just spiritual disciplines. It challenges us to ask: Am I serving, giving, praying, or fasting to be seen by others, or to honor God? In a world increasingly driven by public image and social media validation, this verse calls us back to the quiet, profound intimacy of a life lived for an audience of One. It encourages a humble, authentic faith that finds its deepest satisfaction not in human applause, which is fleeting, but in the unwavering approval of our Heavenly Father, whose gaze penetrates beyond superficiality to the very core of our being. Cultivating a "secret" life with God—one marked by private prayer, hidden acts of kindness, and unobserved devotion—is the pathway to true spiritual growth and an enduring reward that transcends earthly recognition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific spiritual practices in my life might I be tempted to perform for human recognition rather than for God's glory?**
* **How can I intentionally cultivate more "secret" acts of devotion and service in my daily life?**
* **What does it mean for God to "reward thee openly," and how does this promise motivate my pursuit of genuine piety?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge my understanding of success or validation in my faith journey?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that all acts of Christian service or worship must be hidden from others?**

Answer: No, Matthew 6:18 does not advocate for absolute secrecy in all Christian practices. Jesus Himself performed miracles openly, taught in public, and commanded His disciples to be "the light of the world" ([Matthew 5:14](/matthew/5-14 "Matthew 5:14 - You Are the Light of the World")). The key emphasis in this verse, and indeed throughout [Matthew 6](/matthew/6 "Matthew 6 - The Sermon on the Mount: True Righteousness"), is on **motive**. The problem Jesus addresses is not the visibility of the act itself, but the desire for human praise as the primary motivation. When acts of righteousness are done with a pure heart, seeking God's glory and not one's own, they can and often should be visible, so that others "may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" ([Matthew 5:16](/matthew/5-16 "Matthew 5:16 - Let Your Light Shine")). The distinction lies between performing *for* men and performing *before* men.

**What kind of "reward" does the Father promise for secret devotion?**

Answer: The "reward" promised by God is multifaceted and not limited to material or immediate blessings. While God can certainly bless believers in tangible ways, the primary reward here is spiritual and eternal. It includes the deep satisfaction of knowing God's approval, an increased intimacy with Him, spiritual growth, and the peace that comes from a clear conscience before God. Ultimately, it refers to the eschatological reward in the kingdom of heaven, where all hidden deeds and motives will be openly acknowledged and honored by God ([Luke 12:2-3](/luke/12-2-3 "Luke 12:2-3 - Nothing Hidden That Will Not Be Revealed"); [1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Will Bring to Light Hidden Things")). This divine reward is far more valuable and enduring than any fleeting human praise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:18, with its emphasis on private devotion and the Father's secret sight, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself lived out this principle flawlessly, consistently seeking the Father's will and glory above all else, never performing for human applause ([John 5:41](/john/5-41 "John 5:41 - Jesus Seeks God's Glory")). He often withdrew to solitary places to pray to His Father in secret ([Mark 1:35](/mark/1-35 "Mark 1:35 - Jesus Prays in Solitude"); [Luke 5:16](/luke/5-16 "Luke 5:16 - Jesus Often Withdrew to Pray")), demonstrating that true power and communion come from unobserved intimacy with God. His entire life, culminating in His obedient sacrifice on the cross, was an act of profound humility and self-emptying, not for human recognition but to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). The "open reward" promised by the Father is powerfully illustrated in Christ's resurrection, ascension, and exaltation to the right hand of God, where He was openly declared Lord and Christ ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation"); [Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - God Has Made Jesus Both Lord and Christ")). Thus, Jesus not only taught the principle of secret devotion and open reward but perfectly exemplified it, inviting His followers to live a life similarly centered on the Father's unseen approval, knowing that their ultimate reward is found in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:6

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.

Matthew 6:4

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

2 Corinthians 10:18

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Colossians 3:22

Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Colossians 3:24

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:9

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

1 Peter 2:13

¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;