Matthew 6:5-8,Luke 11:1

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 6:1-34

Matthew 6:2 'Practically at present,' Ruskin writes, in Sesame and Lilies, 'advancement in life means, becoming conspicuous in life; obtaining a position which shrill be acknowledged by others to be respectable or honourable. We do not understand by this advancement, in general, the mere making of money, but the being known to have made it; not the accomplishment of any great aim, but the being seen to have accomplished it.' He who sincerely takes life in earnest finds it quite natural and a... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-34

Chapter 7The Gospel of the Kingdom("Sermon on the Mount") - Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34; Matthew 7:1-29IT may seem almost heresy to object to the time-honoured title "Sermon on the Mount"; yet, so small has the word "sermon" become, on account of its application to those productions of which there is material for a dozen in single sentences of this great discourse, that there is danger of belittling it by the use of a title which suggests even the remotest relationship to these ephemeral... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 6:1-34

CHAPTER 6 1. The Better Righteousness.(Matthew 6:1-18 .) 2. Kept in the World; Single-eyed; Trusting God.(Matthew 6:19-34 .) Our Lord said: “For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in nowise enter into the kingdom of the heavens” (Matthew 5:20 ). This righteousness He had taught in His confirmation and expansion of the law, but now He speaks of something higher still. He makes known the motive of this true righteousness, which... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 6:5

6:5 {2} And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.(2) He rebukes two revolting faults in prayer, ambition, and vain babbling. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 6:7

6:7 But when ye pray, use not {c} vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.(c) Long prayers are not condemned, but vain, needless, and superstitious ones. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:1-34

Verse 1 warns against practicing righteousness (margin) before men to attract their attention. This is self-righteousness, a mere show. How can we expect the Father to reward what we do merely to impress men? Again, the Lord searches our motives. This is applied in verse 2 specifically to the giving of alms, though verse 1 is of wider application. Hypocrites sounding a trumpet is a graphic expression, indicating their advertising the good they do in order to secure men's adulation. This is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1-34

THE CODE OF THE KINGDOM The King has announced His kingdom at hand, and now declares the laws or code of that Kingdom. These which we began to speak of in the last lesson, have a two-fold application, ultimately to the Kingdom when it shall be set up, and approximately and in an accommodated sense to the Christian at present. Except at the first of these is kept in mind, confusion and uncertainty must attend the interpretation. We have two figurative descriptions of disciples, “Salt” and... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 6:1-18

Chapter 21 True Almsgiving No Compulsion In Religion the Meaning of Long Prayers the Hypocrisy of Fasting Prayer Almighty God, we would hide ourselves under the wings of thy mercy. We dare not look at thy law, for we have broken it, nor at thy righteousness, for it is now unto us as a two-edged sword; but thou hast permitted us to look at thy mercy. Thine eternal pity, those tears of thine that bid us silent but large welcome to all the love of thine heart. God be merciful unto us sinners. We... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Matthew 6:5-8

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Here the LORD speaks of prayer, and which is yet more express in reference to the LORD. Secret it must be between GOD and the soul, even in the public congregation, for what indeed is prayer but immediate communion, in which the only parties are JEHOVAH and his people. No lookers-on, no standers-by, can be supposed to interrupt the conference. But alas! how little understood by the great... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:5

Hypocrisy is forbidden in all these three good works of justice, but not the doing of them openly for the glory of God, the edification of our neighbour, and our own salvation. Let your light so shine before men, i.e. let your work be so done in public, that the intention remain in secret. (St. Gregory) read more