"a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit"         (James 2:15-16 NKJV)

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The Beatitudes the eight declarations of blessedness made by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt.:5:3), each beginning with Blessed are . . . Some scholars speak of seven, nine, or ten beatitudes, but the number appears to be eight (verses 10-12 of Matthew 5 being one beatitude).

The Greek word translated blessed means having spiritual well-being and prosperity, the deep joy of the soul (see also Luke 6:20-22). The blessed have a share in salvation, and have entered the kingdom of God, experiencing a foretaste of heaven. Some scholars render each beatitude as an exclamation: O the bliss [or blessedness] of. . .

The Beatitudes describe the ideal disciple, and his rewards, both present and future. The person whom Jesus describes in this passage has a different quality of character and lifestyle than those still outside the kingdom.

As a literary form, the beatitude is also found often in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms (1:1; 34:8; 65:4; 128:1), and often in the New Testament also (John 20:29; Rom. 14:22; James 1:12; Rev. 14:13).

The Beatitudes

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

³ "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Matthew 5: 1-12)