Matthew 5:3
King James Version
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I've always wondered what JESUS meant, when He said "the poor in spirit".
This verse was taught me, early in life.
Teachers took it for granted we understood.
I never did, until today.
As born again, I searched Scripture, that I may understand perfectly.
Here's an explanation from other Bible versions:
Matthew 5:3
Amplified Bible
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
Matthew 5:3
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
3 Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied, and [b]spiritually prosperous—[c]with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the poor in spirit (the humble, who rate themselves insignificant), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!
Matthew 5:3
Common English Bible
Happy people
3 “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:3
Contemporary English Version
3 God blesses those people
who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom
of heaven![a]
Matthew 5:3
Easy-to-Read Version
3 “Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need.[a]
God’s kingdom belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
Expanded Bible
3 “·They are blessed [or Blessed are those…; C and so through v. 10] who ·realize their spiritual poverty [L are the poor in spirit],
for the kingdom of heaven ·belongs to them [is theirs].
Matthew 5:3
GOD’S WORD Translation
3 “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
International Children’s Bible
3 “Those people who know they have great spiritual needs are happy.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
J.B. Phillips New Testament
2-12 Then he began his teaching by saying to them, “How happy are the humble-minded, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs!
Matthew 5:3
Living Bible
3 “Humble men are very fortunate!” he told them, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
Matthew 5:3
The Message
3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
Matthew 5:3
Names of God Bible
3 “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
New Century Version
3 “They are blessed who realize their spiritual poverty,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
New International Reader's Version
3 “Blessed are those who are spiritually needy.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Matthew 5:3
New Life Version
3 “Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:3
New Living Translation
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,[a]
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:3
Worldwide English (New Testament)
3 He said, `God makes happy those who know that they need him. The kingdom of heaven is for them.
In SUMMARY, "poor in spirit" means:
those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant
the humble, who rate themselves insignificant
people who are hopeless
people who depend only on him
those who know they are spiritually in need
those who realize their spiritual poverty
those who recognize they are spiritually helpless
people who know they have great spiritual needs
the humble-minded
Humble men
you’re at the end of your rope
those who recognize they are spiritually helpless
who realize their spiritual poverty
those who are spiritually needy
Those who know there is nothing good in themselves
those who are poor and realize their need for him
those who know that they need him
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