5:3 Blessed. The word “blessed” essentially means “happy.” These nine beatitudes thus constitute the believer’s guidelines, as it were, for the pursuit of (true) happiness. The qualities and attributes here enumerated are diametrically opposite to what the ungodly would prescribe for worldly happiness.

5:3 poor. On another occasion, Jesus said, simply: “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20). Thus material poverty can actually be a greater blessing to the believer than riches, as he learns to draw more and more on his heavenly resources. Note also Isaiah 66:2, Psalm 109:21-27; James 2:5.