Matthew 6:3-4

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 6:3

(3) Let not thy left hand know.—The phrase was probably proverbial, and indicates, in the form of free hyperbole, extremest secrecy. It is possible that there may be some reference to the practice of using the right hand in offering gifts at the altar. The symbolical application, though an afterthought, is yet suggestive. The “right hand” is the higher spiritual element in us that leads to acts of true charity, the “left” is the baser, self-seeking nature. We ought, as it were, to set a barrier... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 6:4

(4) That thine alms may be in secret.—Here again we have a principle rather than a rule. Publicity may be a duty, especially in public work. But this—gifts for schools, hospitals, and the like—is hardly contemplated in the word “alms,” which refers rather to acts of mercy, to cases of individual suffering. Ostentation in those acts is what our Lord especially condemns.Thy Father which seeth in secret.—The attribute which we call the Omniscience of God is commonly dwelt on as calculated to... read more

William Nicoll

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

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 6:1-4

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. The LORD JESUS is here giving instructions concerning the gift of alms. And his directions are so plain that they need no comment. Alms-giving, when given with an eye to the divine glory and the real love of men, is the gift of the heart, therefore there needs no lookers on. What flows from GOD will tend to God. JESUS is then in all, and a respect to him is the aim of all. read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Matthew 6:3

Be content to have God for witness to your good works, who alone has power to reward you for them. They will be disclosed soon enough to man, when at the day of general retribution the good and the evil will be brought to light, and every one shall be rewarded according to his works. (Haydock) read more

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