📖 Biblical Definition
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7) is the fifth Beatitude, and the reciprocal structure is unmistakable: those who give mercy receive it. Christ later illustrates the inverse in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35) — the man who received ten thousand talents of forgiveness from his lord and refused a hundred pence to his fellow-servant. Mercy here is more than feeling-bad-for; it is active, costly relief shown to those in need or under judgment. James seals the doctrine: "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment" (James 2:13). The Christian man who has tasted mercy at the cross must pour it out on those around him.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Matt 5:7: those who give mercy receive it; reciprocal structure.
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The fifth Beatitude: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matt 5:7). The reciprocal structure mirrors the Lord's Prayer ("forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors," Matt 6:12) and Christ's parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:23-35). Greek eleēmōn — merciful, kind, having pity on. James 2:13 sharpens: "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy." Mercy here is more than pity-feeling; it is active, costly relief shown to those in need or under judgment — the Good Samaritan kind.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 5:7 — "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
Matthew 18:33 — "Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?"
James 2:13 — "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Mercy reduced to feeling-bad-for; Christ's mercy is active, costly relief.
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Modern "compassion" often stays in the realm of feelings: feel bad for the suffering, post about it, donate occasionally. Christ's mercy is more demanding: the Good Samaritan crossed the road, stopped his journey, paid the innkeeper. Mercy that costs nothing is sentiment, not biblical mercy.
Recover the cost: merciful here means acting at cost on behalf of those in need. The reciprocal promise — receiving mercy — is sobering for those who plan to receive it but not show it.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek eleēmōn.
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['Greek', 'G1655', 'eleēmōn', 'merciful']
['Greek', 'G1656', 'eleos', 'mercy']
Usage
"Blessed are the merciful."
"Active, costly mercy — not feeling."
"Reciprocal: shown receives shown."