Matthew 6:4

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

That {G3704} thine {G4675} alms {G1654} may be {G5600} in {G1722} secret {G2927}: and {G2532} thy {G4675} Father {G3962} which {G3588} seeth {G991} in {G1722} secret {G2927} himself {G846} shall reward {G591} thee {G4671} openly {G1722}{G5318}.

Then your tzedakah will be in secret; and your Father, who sees what you do in secret, will reward you.

so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

Matthew 6:4 is part of Jesus' profound teaching on true righteousness, delivered during the Sermon on the Mount. This verse specifically addresses the motive behind acts of charity, or almsgiving.

Context

This verse follows Matthew 6:1-3, where Jesus warns against performing righteous deeds—alms, prayer, and fasting—with the primary intent of being seen and praised by people. The immediate preceding verses (Matthew 6:2-3) directly condemn those who make a public display of their giving, comparing them to hypocrites who "have their reward" in the applause of men. Matthew 6:4 then offers the contrasting, righteous approach: giving in secret, where only God is witness.

Key Themes

  • Sincere Motivation: The core message is about the heart behind our actions. True charity and generosity should stem from a genuine desire to honor God and help others, not to gain human recognition or approval.
  • God's Omniscience: The phrase "thy Father which seeth in secret" powerfully underscores God's perfect knowledge. He sees beyond outward appearances and knows the true intentions and condition of the heart, even those hidden from human eyes. Nothing is hidden from Him.
  • Divine Reward: The promise "himself shall reward thee openly" highlights that God is the ultimate and faithful rewarder. Unlike temporary human praise, God's reward is enduring and just. This "open" reward may manifest as blessings in this life, spiritual growth, or eternal recognition in the coming kingdom.
  • Humility in Giving: Giving in secret fosters humility, a virtue highly valued in the Kingdom of God. It prevents pride and self-exaltation, ensuring that the focus remains on God and the needs of others.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "alms" is eleemosyne (ἐλεημοσύνη), which broadly refers to acts of mercy, compassion, and especially giving to the poor or needy. The term "secret" comes from the Greek kryptos (κρυπτῷ), meaning hidden or concealed, emphasizing actions done without public awareness. Conversely, "openly" is from en tō phanerō (ἐν τῷ φανερῷ), meaning publicly, plainly, or manifestly, contrasting the hidden act with the visible divine reward.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:4 challenges believers to examine their motives in all acts of service and generosity. It calls us to practice genuine, unassuming charity, trusting that God sees and will honor our sincerity. This verse encourages a lifestyle of quiet faithfulness, reminding us that true value comes not from human applause but from the approval of our heavenly Father. In a world often driven by self-promotion, this teaching advocates for humble, God-focused living, where our greatest reward is knowing we have pleased Him who sees all.

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.

  • Matthew 6:18

    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.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

  • Luke 14:14

    And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

  • Psalms 44:21

    Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

  • Matthew 25:34

    Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

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