Matthew 6:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

As we must do better than the scribes and Pharisees in avoiding heart-sins, heart-adultery, and heart-murder, so likewise in maintaining and keeping up heart-religion, doing what we do from an inward, vital principle, that we may be approved of God, not that we may be applauded of men; that is, we must watch against hypocrisy, which was the leaven of the Pharisees, as well as against their doctrine, Luke 12:1. Almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, are three great Christian duties?the three... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:1-18

When we study the opening verses of Matthew 6:1-34 , we are immediately confronted with one most important question-- What is the place of the reward motive in the Christian life? Three times in this section Jesus speaks of God rewarding those who have given to him the kind of service which he desires ( Matthew 6:4 ,; Matthew 6:18 ). This question is so important that we will do well to pause to examine it before we go on to study the chapter in detail. It is very often stated that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men ,.... Some copies read, "take heed that ye do not your righteousness", &c.; which is a very good reading: but then, by "righteousness", is not meant righteousness, as comprehending all other righteous acts, as particularly alms, prayer, and fasting, hereafter mentioned; but alms only; nothing being more common with the Jews than to call alms צדקה , "righteousness": and whatever word Matthew made use of, there is no doubt to be made of it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:1

That ye do not your alms - Δικαιοσυνην υμων μη ποιειν , perform not your acts of righteousness - such as alms-giving, fasting, and prayer, mentioned immediately after. Instead of δικαιοσυνην , righteousness, or acts of righteousness, the reading in the text, that which has been commonly received is ελεημοσυνην , alms. But the first reading has been inserted in several editions, and is supported by the Codd. Vatican and Bezae, some others, and several versions, all the Itala except one,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:1

Verse 1 1.Beware In this passage, Christ exhorts his people to devote themselves sincerely to good works; that is, to endeavor, with simplicity, to do what is right before God, and not to make a parade before men. (424) A very necessary admonition; for in all virtues the entrance of ambition is to be dreaded, and there is no work so laudable, as not to be in many instances corrupted and polluted by it. Under one class he lays down, by a synecdoche, a general doctrine: for he speaks of alms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

Matthew only. Take heed ; προσέχετε [ δέ ] (Westcott and Hort). If "but" is genuine, as is on the whole more probable, our Lord places this warning in close relation to the preceding charge. Aim at "perfection," but beware of mere show. Rather you must consider the estimate that will be formed of you by your Father which is in heaven. That ye do not your alms ; Revised Version, your righteousness ( so the manuscripts). Although one of the Hebrew words for "righteousness" ( הקרץ ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

Ostentatious religion. Having spoken of the duties of everyday social life, our Lord now passes on to deal with specifically religious actions—almsgiving, prayer, fasting. One thing he condemns in regard to all of these actions, viz. ostentation. His great requirement is sincerity, and, with this, simplicity and humility. I. THE CHARACTER OF OSTENTATIOUS RELIGION . It is a theatrical performance, carried through before the eyes of men and in order to secure their admiration. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

The Christian law of giving. In this second part of the sermon our Lord teaches his disciples how they should stand related to the recognized and usual expressions of religious life. In those days everybody who professed to be religious sought to show people their religion by giving alms, praying, and fasting. But Jesus taught that character, motive, spirit, were the things of supreme importance; and so here he virtually says, "Take care of the motives that inspire religions acts. They win... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

As to the duty of giving alms. The matter of the discourse of our Lord proceeds from his illustration of the hitherto unpractised and unnoticed spiritual significance, depth, and far-reachingness of the Law, to admonitions which must ever be so sure to be needed—of simplicity of motive and purity of heart in our works of "righteousness," or, as perhaps we should more naturally describe them in modern phrase, of religion. It must be noted that the Received Version reads mistakenly, in ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

Almsgiving. Underlying this subject is that of social inequality. Without the latter there would be no necessity and therefore no opportunity for alms-giving. Poverty is not an unmitigated evil. Affluence is not an unmixed good. I. SOCIAL INEQUALITY IS A BENEFICENT ARRANGEMENT . 1 . It aids the progress of civilization. 2 . It educates the moral qualities. 3 . Poverty is not without advantages. II. BENEFICENCE SHOULD BE WITHOUT OSTENTATION , 1... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 6:1-18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

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