Matthew 6:3-4 KJV

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 6:3

But when thou dost alms ,.... Do it so privately, and with so much secrecy, that, if it was possible, thou mightest not know it thyself, much less make it known to others: let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth ; acquaint not thy nearest and dearest friend with it; let not one that sits at thy left hand know what thou art doing with thy right hand; it is a proverbial and hyperbolical phrase, expressing the secrecy of the action. It is a Jewish canon F16 Piske Tosephot in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:4

That thine alms may be in secret ,.... May be done in secret, and be kept a secret. The allusion seems to be to the secret chamber, where money was brought privately for the relief of the poor. "There were two chambers in the sanctuary, the one was לשכת חשאים , "the chamber of secrets", and the other the chamber of vessels: the chamber of secrets was that into which pious persons put בחשאי , "in secret", and the poor children of good men were maintained out of it privately F17 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:3

Let not thy left hand know - In many cases, works of charity must be hidden from even our nearest relatives, who, if they knew, would hinder us from doing what God has given us power and inclination to perform. We must go even farther; and conceal them as far as is possible from ourselves, by not thinking of them, or eyeing them with complacency. They are given to God, and should be hidden in Him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:4

Which seeth in secret - We should ever remember that the eye of the Lord is upon us, and that he sees not only the act, but also every motive that led to it. Shall reward thee openly - Will give thee the fullest proofs of his acceptance of thy work of faith, and labor of love, by increasing that substance which, for his sake, thou sharest with the poor; and will manifest his approbation in thy own heart, by the witness of his Spirit. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:3

Verse 3 3.Let not thy left hand know By this expression he means, that we ought to be satisfied with having God for our only witness, and to be so earnestly desirous to obey him, that we shall not be carried away by any vanity. It frequently happens, that men sacrifice to themselves rather than to God. Christ therefore wishes, that we should not be distracted by indirect thoughts, but go straight to this object, that we may serve God with a pure conscience. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:4

Verse 4 4.That thy alms may be in secret This statement appears to be opposed to many passages of Scripture, in which we are commanded to edify the brethren by good examples. But if we attend to the design of Christ, we must not give a more extensive meaning to the words. (427) He commands his disciples to devote themselves to good works purely, and without any ambition. In order to do this, he bids them turn away their eyes from the sight of men, and to reckon it enough that their duties are... 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 6:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 6:1-4

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