📖 Biblical Definition
The first Beatitude of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). The Greek ptōchos denotes the destitute, the bankrupt, the one who has nothing of his own to bring — a stronger word than mere financial poverty. Spiritual poverty is the soul’s recognition of utter dependence on God’s grace: "I am wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). It is the doorway to the kingdom — the opposite of the rich-young-ruler self-sufficiency that walked away from Christ grieved. Every other Beatitude grows from this root. The kingdom is for the spiritually bankrupt who come to Christ empty-handed.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BLESSED ARE TH, n.
expand to see more
A scriptural beatitude; the first declaration of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:3 — "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Isaiah 57:15 — "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit."
Psalm 51:17 — "A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
Luke 18:13 — "God be merciful to me a sinner."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity emphasizes self-confidence; Christ commended spiritual bankruptcy.
expand to see more
The first beatitude is the entry door to all the others. The poor in spirit are those who have nothing to bring, no merit to plead, no spiritual capital. The publican who beat his breast and cried God be merciful to me a sinner walked home justified; the Pharisee who cataloged his virtues did not. The kingdom belongs to the spiritually destitute.
Modern Christianity often emphasizes self-confidence, positive self-image, spiritual achievement. Christ commended the opposite. Come to Him empty. Acknowledge your spiritual bankruptcy. The kingdom is given to those who own nothing of it apart from Him.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
expand to see more
G3107 — makarios — blessed; happy
G4434 — ptochos — destitute, bankrupt
Usage
"Modern Christianity emphasizes self-confidence; Christ commended spiritual bankruptcy."
"The publican walked home justified; the Pharisee did not."
"Come to Him empty; the kingdom is given to those who own nothing apart from Him."