📖 Biblical Definition
The eighth and longest of Christ's beatitudes (Matt 5:10-12): Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven. Christ extends the persecution beatitude with personal application and an Old Testament parallel: so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
BLESSED ARE TH, n.
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A scriptural beatitude; the eighth declaration of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:10 — "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:12 — "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
2 Timothy 3:12 — "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
1 Peter 4:14 — "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Western Christianity often confuses cultural marginalization with persecution; both deserve the beatitude.
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2 Timothy 3:12 names the unavoidable: all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Persecution is not the exception for the godly; it is the norm. Modern Western Christianity often confuses cultural marginalization (lower status, social mockery) with full-fledged persecution (imprisonment, violence, death). Both fall under Christ's beatitude; both should be received with rejoicing.
Christ's call is to rejoice, and be exceeding glad. The Old Testament prophets were persecuted; the New Testament apostles were persecuted; the early church was persecuted; the global church today is persecuted. The reward is great in heaven. Pray for the persecuted in the developing world; do not despise the smaller persecutions in the West; the kingdom belongs to those willing to suffer for the King.
Usage
"Modern Western Christianity confuses cultural marginalization with persecution; both deserve the beatitude."
"Persecution is not the exception for the godly; it is the norm."
"Pray for the persecuted; rejoice in the smaller persecutions; the reward is great in heaven."