📖 Biblical Definition
The second Beatitude of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). The Greek pentheō denotes deep grief, especially over loss or sin — far more than melancholy temperament. Christian mourning includes godly sorrow over personal sin (2 Corinthians 7:10: "godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation"); grief over the world’s evil; and lament over the sufferings of God’s people, the wounds of the church, and the prospering of the wicked. The promised comfort is both present-tense (the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, John 14:16) and future-tense ("God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes", Revelation 21:4). Christians mourn truly and are comforted decisively.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BLESSED ARE TH, n.
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A scriptural beatitude; the second declaration of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:4 — "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
2 Corinthians 7:10 — "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of."
Isaiah 61:2 — "To comfort all that mourn."
Revelation 21:4 — "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity demands constant cheerfulness; Christ blessed those who mourn.
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The second beatitude rebukes any version of Christianity that demands constant cheerfulness. Mourning is blessed; the comfort is promised. Godly mourning over sin (2 Cor 7:10), grief over the brokenness of the world, and lament over personal loss are all places of Christ's comfort.
Modern Christianity often pressures saints to feel happy, post bright photos, project victorious lives. Christ blessed the mourners. Sit with grief when grief is appropriate; the Comforter is given precisely to those who need comfort. Revelation 21 promises every tear will be wiped away — meaning the tears were real and recorded.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G3996 — pentheo — to mourn
G3870 — parakaleo — to comfort
Usage
"Modern Christianity demands cheerfulness; Christ blessed mourners."
"Godly sorrow over sin produces salvation; grief is fertile ground."
"Sit with grief when appropriate; the Comforter is given to those who need comfort."