Poor in Spirit

The first words Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount describe the blessed or happy state of those who have certain qualities that set them apart as citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Unlike the related term often translated blessed (eulogia), Jesus used makarismos. The first term equates with the Hebrew baraka (to bless) and focuses on the act of praising one for some notable quality or deed (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus is not promising blessing as a kind of reward for some effort to qualify for a spiritual badge that puts one in God’s favor. Rather, He is stating that those who possess said quality are already in that happy state.

To illustrate, Paul asked the Galatians, “What then has become of your blessedness?” (Galatians 4:15). They were already in a state of favor with God. False teachers were telling them that they needed something else to obtain what they already possessed by grace. Satan has not abandoned the strategy begun in the Garden because it works.

The very first state of blessedness is that of the poor in spirit. There are none so despised as those who are poor—those without means of creaturely comforts due to their circumstances and/or condition (Deuteronomy 24:14). It is well said that material poverty is a curse and not blessing. However, it is not material poverty spoken of because sin does not respect economic conditions. Rather, Jesus refers to poverty of spirit.

Jesus is the perfect example of this spiritual state. He made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). In John 13, Jesus took the duty of the lowest servant in the household in order to wash the disciples’ feet. After doing so, He told them that they in turn should to do this for one another (v. 14). Then He added, “A servant is not greater than his master. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (vv. 16, 17).

Poverty of spirit is a gracious work of God, enabling a sinner to understand that there is nothing, either inherent in his character or in his power, that can bring him into favor with the Lord (Psalm 69:33).

The reader must also remember the Jewish background of this sermon. The nation had been under Gentile domination since their return from exile. They yearned for God to fulfill His promises to restore the kingdom to Israel with David’s Son on the throne. Jesus was now informing them that the promises were being fulfilled in Him (Acts 3:25, 26). The poor in spirit were now in the blessed state because, “theirs is [present indicative active] the kingdom of heaven.” The problem with many in Jesus’ day was that His coming was not in keeping with their expectations.

Finally, J. R. Miller wrote, “Poverty of spirit comes first because it must be first. It is the foundation on which alone the fabric of spiritual character can rise. It is the rich soil in which alone other graces will grow and flourish.”